About Chinese Medicine-CancerThe Path to Cancerby Jack Daniel, M.Ac.(U.K.), L.Ac., Dipl.Ac.Q.(NCCAOM) In this brief article I will introduce an overview of ideas about how to understand cancer using the perspectives of Chinese medicine. From a scientific point of view, cancer is understood to be a process of abnormal cell division and growth. How these abnormalities manifest in the body of a patient varies among individuals. Please understand that I am not writing a western scientific discussion of the disease called cancer. I am writing from the perspective of Chinese medicine, which I have practiced exclusively for over 36 years. This following discussion on Chinese medicine-cancer is based on the notion that there are four paths to cancer. Those four paths are:
Western medicine has begun to emphasize genetics as supremely important. This is, of course, one important factor. Exposures to toxic chemicals or radiation can be recognized decades later as having been that factor that has produced certain cancers.This includes medical treatments using radiation in the 1940's and 1950's. Clearly there is little we can do to influence the first three pathways-except to change what we eat so as to take in the good substances and eliminate the bad chemicals on a daily basis. The dynamics of the inner world are now understood by Western medicine as influencing the path to cancer. Evidence is steadily mounting from research in molecular immunology that moods, emotional responses and even facial expressions influence the kind of neurochemicals the brain makes deep within itself. Furthermore, those chemicals routinely circulate in the bloodstream, bathing every cell in the body with the message conveyed from the mood and emotions. Every cell wall in the human body has receptor sites designed to accept the chemical messengers that one consciously or unconsciously sends to oneself via those brain chemicals. Each cell in the body reacts according to explicit instructions. We're listening to ourselves all of the time-interpreting how we understand ourselves and how we relate to others and the world. This fourth pathway is addressed effectively with Chinese medicine, and includes avenues for influencing our lives in positive directions. Negative mental patterns and emotional pain processed destructively impact people over time. After years of ingrained, powerful, sometimes subtle disturbances of a mental, emotional or a spiritual nature, the body registers dis-ease in physical form. Before physical symptoms emerge, disturbed moods, negative behaviors, deadening expressions or actions appear. 1) Habitual frowning, 2) a magnetically powerful, critical self-hypnotic message and/or, 3) an ingrained emotional response of anger or resentment all could be precursors of physical difficulties to come. The human body conforms to and then represents a loyal reflection of the disharmonies coming from the inner world, signifying mental/emotional/spiritual pain. Emotional pain stored in the body over years, even decades first disrupts function, then disturbs body tissues. Chemicals made in the brain reflect the inner world of feelings and emotions. Chinese medicine helps balance the inner world. Volumes of research have shown a direct impact on the production of brain chemicals by acupuncture. Balance in emotions and feelings, from the perspective of Chinese medicine, comes from the Qi (pronounced chee), the animating energy within us. The harmony and balance of Qi reflects and is reflected inthe life of the inner world. Disturbances in equilibrium and harmony of the Qi will compromise the ability to have smooth and complete emotional expression. Mood and/or emotional suppression and expression will disrupt or liberate the Qi accordingly. Spiritual connection will be open and free in a way that's consistent with the degree of harmony of the Qi. To rectify imbalances in the state of the Qi, we apply acupunctureand Chinese herbology. Both work to rebalance what has become disrupted. The application of natural law that has given Chinese medicine thousands of years of success provides certain insights into the processes of grave illness. Many cancers are severe threats, having only developed over lengthy periods of time. When disease has deep roots, Chinese medicine can only do as much as nature will allow. However, Chinese medicine effectively deals with the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation used for cancer in conventional western therapy. Furthermore, the physician of Chinese medicine offers counsel in matters of diet. self-belief, mood or mental/emotional behavior and expression. As Yoda said to Luke in 'Star Wars' while he was training him to become a Jedi Knight, "Luminous Beings are we, not this crude matter." Our luminous nature belongs to the realm of the Qi. When our luminosity is dimmed and disrupted enough to make cancer, we need to examine the complex paths that led there. The markers we find along the way may guide us back to health. Using natural laws, the flow of a person's Qi can be rebalanced using the needles of acupuncture or Chinese herbs. Both help alleviate the disharmonies that lead to pain and others symptoms. © 2001 Jack M. Daniel Go from Chinese medicine-cancer back to Health Wellness Articles. |
