The Case of the Smith Farm Center in DC
Posted by admin in Cancer Care on August 10, 2010
Why all the detail about the cancer treatment disparity in Washington, DC? Because there is an innovative and much needed program that is working to assist those underserved cancer patients, and their methods of education and empowerment can certainly also help someone who has cancer, but is not in the most difficult of situations.
Smith Farm Center in Washington, DC
Smith Farm is at the forefront of integrative cancer care and a new holistic medical system. Since 1996, Smith Farm has served cancer patients through its weeklong Cancer Help Program residential retreats. This retreat is modeled on the internationally recognized Commonweal Cancer Help Program, featured in Bill Moyer’s PBS series, “Healing and the Mind”. The retreats are designed for adults and caregivers who are seeking physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing as they live with cancer and other serious illness. Smith Farm also has held thousands of programs at its downtown DC location to educate patients. Topics include how to eat well and nutritiously during and after treatment, stress management, relaxation exercises, and pain management – all key wellness techniques for cancer patients who often don’t even hear about them during their mainstream treatment. Mainstream oncology often dismisses such practices as barely making a difference compared to the core treatment options of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. A lack of control and influence over the process is a key complaint of cancer patients. Read the rest of this entry »
Use Of Complementary Medicine
Posted by admin in Complementary Medicine on August 10, 2010
Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines to restore and maintain health in addition to conventional medicine. Dating back to 420 B.C., around the time of Hippocrates, complementary medicine is also considered a practice beyond the realm of conventional modern medicine – naturopathy, chiropractic, Ayurvedic, homeopathy, acupuncture and so many other complementary medicine treatments are steadily in demand and on the rise.
Because our bodies are composed of chemical and physical reactions, holistic practitioners affirm that illness is not directly caused by pathogens such as viruses or bacterium; instead is the consequence of the body’s reaction (in an effort to shield and heal itself) to a pathogen.
Naturopathic and holistic doctors assist potential clients through complementary medicine by plainly alleviating symptoms of disease. Complementary medicine can treat most conditions like headaches, sore throats, flu and cold, indigestion, ear infections, dermatitis, urinary tract infections, sprains and strains. Some chronic conditions such as migraines, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, muscle-skeletal pain, depression, stress, and even pregnancy and childbirth may be treated with complementary medicine as well. Read the rest of this entry »