Introducing the Latest Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy — YOU!

[Method of Self-Healing]

Introducing the Latest Breakthrough

in Cancer Therapy — YOU!

Kevin W Chen, Ph.D. MPH

       Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death around the world, and we are far away from finding the cure for various cancers at the moment.   The self-healing retreat offered by the Center for Integrative Medicine in University of Maryland is going to introduce the latest breakthrough in cancer therapy – YOU (the patient’s self-care and self-empowerment)!  Because all known therapies work closely with patients’ immune and self-recovery system; and real sense of recovery is not simply absence of tumor or physical diseases, but a complete health in body, emotion, mind and spirit.

The risks of being diagnosed with cancer have been continuously increasing in the past 30 years (from 1 in 5 in 1980 to nearly 1 in 2 in 2017) even though we have put a lot of resources and efforts into cancer research and treatment, while the national expenditure for cancer care in the U.S. has been skyrocketing to over $140 billion a year.    The known risk factors for cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other authorities, have never included important psycho-social factors, such as stress, forgiveness, and mental trauma.  A recent report from Science claimed that 66% of cancer-causing mutations cannot be explained by genetic or environmental factors but are due to randomness or “bad luck.”  This is very disturbing to cancer patients and the scientific community.

Previous retreat participants practice standing meditation in the morning.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cancer is not an isolated disease but a life status, which could be the result of the slowing or stasis of qi-blood flow in the body (deficiency of Zheng Qi). Therefore, treatment should focus on strengthening the inner environment, cultivating zheng (qi) and dispelling xie (toxins or evil).   For example, an orange tree will grow sweet oranges in the south, but grow bitter Zhi in the North, not due to mutation but the change of environment.   Psychological stress is one of the environmental factors that have not been fully accounted for in cancer research or treatment.   Stress is the causal factor for 80-90% of primary doctor’s visits in the U.S.  Research suggests that many negative emotions are expressed in the form of stress response (physical or mental stress), people with stress are associated with higher cancer incidence in healthy populations, and poor survival rate and higher mortality are noted among stressed cancer patients.   Lab studies revealed stress helps speed up tumor growth in animals, while stress-related cortisol would create an ideal environment for cancer cell growth.  Unfortunately, psychological intervention or stress management have never formally become part of conventional cancer treatment, nor are they available in most cancer centers, which is one of main reasons for treatment failure or cancer re-occurrence.

Most current cancer treatments focus on removal of cancer itself, but little on the internal environment that cultivated cancer growth in the first place. Many scientists believe that the stress and anxiety, cancer-phobia, emotional disturbance, relationship issues, life-style, behavior pattern, and purpose in life, etc. are the inner factors that create the environment where cancers grow.  Without change of these factors, the root of cancer is still there, as these non-medical factors are highly correlated with treatment failures and cancer recurrence, but have not been treated in conventional cancer treatment.  Medical Qigong from TCM offers a different philosophy and method in treatment of disease or sickness like cancer as medical qigong focus on the building of vital energy, living at the moment (mindfulness), breaking the blockage with detoxification, channeling meridian and balancing yin-yang in the system, which offers real sense of complete health and recovery while complementary to the existing therapies.

Based on scientific evidence and long-term clinical experience, we, the Center for Integrative Medicine at University of Maryland, had developed a targeted self-healing retreat to fill the treatment gap in current cancer therapies, with a focus on changing patients’ attitudes toward cancer and changing of the environment that cultivated cancer growth in the first place. We have run the 7-day intensive retreat for cancer recovery servery times in the past few years and received a lot of positive feedback and outcomes. Click HERE to read more about the feedback from previous retreat participants.

The main contents of our self-healing retreat include five distinguished aspects that are urgently needed in cancer recovery:

1.  Change of the Mentality (Attitude) — Learn to Make Friend with Diseases

The first task in our retreat is to turn traditional searching for help outside into searching for help within so as to rebuild confidence in recovery.

  • According to experts in oncology, 1/3 of cancer patients not died of cancer complication, but the cancer-phobia, in spite of the fact that cancer is a very common life phenomenon…
  • It is the immune function and self-healing power that eventually survive and cure the cancer.
  • Cancer is not your enemy, but an alert to you that your inner environment and life-style need change!  It is the cells crying for help!
  • Sickness reflects the fault!  All sickness is inner reflection of inharmonious external relationship (with other, with environment, and with yourself)!
  • Disease is an extreme way in which the soul tries to save itself.  When you misbehave or live in a hurting way, God may awaken you in the form of disease! So as to save you!
  • The effects of cancer-phobia are the true form of an incurable disease, since they keep the patient stressed out and weakens the immune system.
  • Break the three blind-beliefs – blind-believe in what doctors said, what science knows and what Qigong master can do…
  • Everyone possesses great potential of self-healing, we need revealing and reactivating that power within for our health and healing!

2. Focus on Reducing and Managing Stress/Anxiety — Making Friend with Stress

Stress is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens.  Even in the face of difficult situations, we can choose how to respond.  Rather than being carried away by stress and fear, learning effective mind-body stress and anxiety management techniques can improve well-being, increase optimism and decrease worry.  In this unique retreat participant will learn powerful mindfulness and breathing techniques, develop skills in acceptance, let-go and positive reframing, practice non-judgmental detachment and experience Qigong movements that have been specially designed to enhance relaxation and general wellness.

  • Become mindful at any time by paying attention to breathing (key skills: abdominal breathing, resonance-frequency breathing, counting breath method)
  • Be mindful of your thought and emotion (you are not your mind!) and learn to live peacefully with your thought and emotions.
  • Practical skills for living under your thought and ideas: always pause before acting, acceptance of what it is, name your thought and emotion, separate you from your thought, recognize your thought and emotion, detached from the outcome, observe without analyzing (non-judgmental), let go of myth of in-control, positive reframing, living in the moment with gratitude.
  • Be mindful of your body/spirit, understanding mind-body connection, body can be used to facilitate stress reduction, filling up your “cup”.
  • Creating a positive, present and detached mindset – exercises and resources designed to facilitate a customized positive present mindset.

Eastover Resort, where the retreat will take place…

3.  Qigong Systems Designed Specifically for Cancer Recovery

Dr. Chen has been trained in anti-cancer Qigong techniques with the well-known Qigong teachers and master with copyright holding of English version of Taiji Five-element Qigong.   He will share the unique and important knowledge with participants.   Although Qigong is well-known for health and healing, not all Qigong schools are willing to openly challenge cancer.   In the past few decades, two medical qigong forms stand out in the field — the Taiji Five-Element Self-Recovery System and the Guolin New Qigong, both claim they are good therapy for cancer healing and recovery with thousand documented successful cases.

  • Both qigong forms will be taught and practiced during the intensive retreat.  One mostly meditation, while other mostly walking (dynamic) form, so as to fit different needs from various students
  • Qigong practice cultivates mindfulness & energy needed during recovery
  • Qigong practice can rapidly rebuild immune & healing system, complementary to existing therapies.
  • We will have active qigong practice in the morning most of days, but will offer alternative for those who have difficulty walking or standing.
  • Students learn both forms of Qigong and will leave with the skills to continue Qigong practice on their own once returning home.
  • Individualized Qigong practice plan and schedule will be offered to each participant so that they can practice the suggested forms step by step after leaving the retreat.

4.   Management of Emotional and Relationship Issues

Almost every cancer patient could feel some form of pressure from a close relationship with emotional complex.  Research finds that 61% of cancer patients have a forgiveness problem in life, which could significantly affect the occurrence or recovery of cancer.   Our emotions directly regulate the immune function of the body and directly determine the occurrence, development and metastasis of tumors.  In 2010 the Cells published a lab finding that happy mice living under pleasant setting had significantly smaller tumor growth than those in control mice, suggesting that positive mental stimulation had an inhibitory effect on tumor growth.  Recent research pointed out that the biggest source of cancer is the persistent negative mood!

Teacher Bao’s First English Book — Emotional-Release Therapy (2019)

TCM theory on emotional pathogenicity can accurately link different emotions to different tumors.  Feng-yuan Bao, the founder of Mind-Wisdom Energy, has created the Emotional-Release Therapy (ERT) to help thousands of people in China to regain health through emotional management.  Please read previous article on more details on Bao’s ERT.  Through years of research and study on the consciousness philosophy and quantum physics, Teacher Bao combines the Eastern philosophical wisdom and Western scientific evidence, and put forward the theoretical points of view regarding the relationship between various emotions and specific diseases, which could well explain why certain emotional pattern will lead to different kind of caners or sickness.  In our retreat, both Drs. Chen and Hole will work with each participant for their emotional need, and locate the possible root of cancer in the relationship issues:

  • Focus on the patient’s internal mental state, identify past life experiences that may have led to mood disorders and psychological trauma, and draw connection about possible root causes of specific types of cancer or illness.
  • Learn to apply ERT to each participant’s emotional problems, especially those with negative impact on daily life.
  • Learn and practice “radical forgiveness” techniques, and forgive other is actually to save ourselves with peace and calm
  • Learn and apply the mindfulness and Ho’oponopono healing for relationship and other forgiveness issues
  • Group game to learn new social and forgiveness skills;
  • Positive reframing in difficult relationship

5.  Behavioral & Life-Style Reprogramming

We all have behavioral patterns that do not support our wellness.  This Self-Healing Training will help participant identify these patterns and provide techniques to help them overcome them.  We frame the cancer experience as a ‘urgent alert’ from God or Higher-being, we must learn to identify health-inducing changes in lifestyle, thinking patterns, habits and behaviors that are needed to regain the healthy integration of your mind, body and spirit.

  • Become a benefit-finder instead of fault-finder in daily life
  • Gratitude virtual and grateful journal
  • Establish a healthier daily routine and schedule
  • Minimize the exposure to electronic magnetic fields
  • Diet and Nutrition – based on science and individualization
  • Introduction to the seasonal life-nourishing tradition, and follow the flow of season
  • Proper amount of exercises and relaxation
  • Grounding for discharging positive ions and electron magnetic field, and gaining energy from Earth during recovery

In short, the Self-healing Retreat for cancer patients have applied some key self-healing techniques from TCM, modern psychology and Qigong therapy for a complete recovery with two major emphasis:  Build a positive & present mindset (attitude change) and boost energy and self-healing potential through intensive mind-body exercises.  You can find more description on the characteristics of our retreat in the University of Maryland website:   http://www.cim.umaryland.edu/healingretreat/

In this interview by GDTV Network, Drs. Chen & D’Adamo talk about the retreat program, and past participants share their experiences:

Following is the detailed information for the next Self-healing Retreat to be hold on April 4-11, 2020 in Eastover Resort, Lenox, MA:

WHERE:  We will hold our next 7-day intensive retreat at the beautiful Eastover Resort in Lenox, Massathsas, a natural setting perfect for mind-body exercise, human-nature correspondence, and behavior reprogramming…  Please check out the website below for more details about the resort, and the cost of relaxing in the beautiful place:

Self-Healing Retreat for Cancer Patients with Dr. Kevin Chen and Dr. Linda Nadia Hole

http://www.eastover.com/workshop/self-healing-retreat-cancer-patients.html

Views from Eastover Resort

WHEN:   April 4 (Saturday) to April 11 (Saturday), 2020 — The Saturday April 4 will be the day for registration and lodge settlement.  Participants are supposed to arrive at the resort by April 4 so that we can all have a morning Qigong exercise together around 6:30am on April 5th, 2020.  The program will end by 5:00pm on April 11, 2020.  Please make your travel arrangement accordingly.  You are welcome to stay extra day(s) at Eastover Resort after the retreat with pre-rated cost.

WHO should attend? (1) Those who are currently fighting  against cancer or have had cancer in the past, and who want to have a complete recovery; (2) Those whose family members or loved one having cancer, and who want to help their family recover when learning how to be more effectively prevent from cancer; (3) The instructors of mins-body medicine who wants to integrate psychological rehabilitation and medical Qigong into their own career development and teaching.

Instructors:

Dr. Kevin W Chen

Dr. Kevin Chen is an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and president of the World Institute for Self-Healing, Inc. With Chinese origin and a life-long Qigong meditation practice, Dr. Chen is among the few scientists in the U.S. who has both extensive knowledge of Qigong as well as active involvement in Qigong and meditation research. He is the associate editor-in-chief of the English version textbook “Chinese Medical Qigong” (2010), and the publisher of Yang-Sheng.com, an online magazine that promotes self-healing of the body, mind and spirit.  Dr. Chen is a discipline of two different Daoist Qigong masters, and is elected the Deputy Secretary of the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong (headquartered in Beijing). As a research psychologist Dr. Chen has extensive experience using Qigong and mindfulness to facilitate health and healing in people facing cancer, and have offered similar intensive Qigong training for cancer patients for many years.

Nadia Linda Hole, MD

Dr. Nadia Linda Hole is an integrative holistic physician with over 35 years of clinical experience, including decades of experience in her medical practice.  She is a pioneer in the integrative holistic approach to the treatment of cancer and other chronic conditions. Dr. Hole is a graduate of Duke, Princeton, & Oneness Universities; has served on faculties of American Academy of Pain Management (Education Committee), American Holistic Medical Association (HARPS rep), Gonzaga Integrative Medicine Seminars, Physicians for Peace, TCM College of Hawaii, and World Congress on QiGong.  Her publications include chapters for: Alternative & Complementary Treatment in Neurologic Illness (Weintraub MD et al); Cardiac Illness – Integrative Treatment & Prevention, (Micozzi MD et al); Pain Management — A Practical Guide for Clinicians, (Weiner PhD et al); Guide – FireWalk & the Mystery of Healing Post.  She is one of the few doctors in the U.S. who actually prescribe Qigong therapy for patients.

Click HERE to register for the unique self-healing retreat,  or email Dr. Chen for any questions or for more information (Qigong4us at hotmail dot com).  Early registration, senior (65+), in-school students and group of 3 will enjoy a discounted price in registration.  In order to ensure personal attention to each participant, the retreat is limited to the first 36 registered participants. So please register early to reserve your spot.

 

SELECTED RESEARCH LITERATURE ON QIGONG THERAPY FOR CANCER:

Zeng Y, Xie X, Cheng ASK. 2019.  Qigong or Tai Chi in Cancer Care: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysisCurr Oncol Rep. 2019 Apr 6;21(6):48.

Wayne PM, Lee MS, Novakowski J, Osypiuk K, Ligibel J, Carlson LE, Song R.  2018. Tai Chi and Qigong for cancer-related symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cancer Surviv. 2018 Apr; 12(2):256-267.

Van Vu D, Molassiotis A, Ching SSY, Le TT. 2017. Effects of Qigong on symptom management in cancer patients: A systematic review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Nov;29:111-121.

Klein P. 2017. Qigong in Cancer Care: Theory, Evidence-Base, and Practice.  Medicines (Basel). 2017 Jan 12;4(1).

Klein PJ, Schneider R, Rhoads CJ. 2016. Qigong in cancer care: a systematic review and construct analysis of effective Qigong therapy.  Support Care Cancer. 2016 Jul;24(7):3209-22.

Chen K, & Yeung R, 2002. “Exploratory studies of qigong therapy for cancer in China.” Integrative Cancer Therapies. 1(4): 345-370.

He B & Chen K, 2002. “Integrative Tumor Board for Advanced Breast Cancer: Qigong Analysis” Integrative Cancer Therapies, 1(2):200-202.

Lee MS, Chen KW, Sancier K, Ernst E. 2007. “Qigong for cancer treatment: A systematic review of controlled trails.” ACTA Oncologica, 2007;46(6):717-22.

Lee MS, Chen KW, Earnst E. 2010. Supportive Cancer Care with Qigong. Pp. 77-94 in W.C.S. Cho (ed.) Supportive Cancer Care with Chinese Medicine, London: Springer Science.

Zeng Y, Luo T, Xie H, Huang M, Cheng AS. Health benefits of qigong or tai chi for cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Feb;22(1):173-86.

Fong SS, Ng SS, Lee HW, et al. The effects of a 6-month Tai Chi Qigong training program on temporomandibular, cervical, and shoulder joint mobility and sleep problems in nasopharyngeal cancer survivors. Integr Cancer Ther. 2015 Jan;14(1):16-25.

Loh SY, Lee SY, Murray L. The Kuala Lumpur Qigong trial for women in the cancer survivorship phase-efficacy of a three-arm RCT to improve QOL. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(19):8127-34.

Larkey LK, Roe DJ, Weihs KL, Jahnke R, et al. Randomized controlled trial of qigong/tai chi easy on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors. Ann Behav Med. 2015 Apr;49(2):165-76.

Chen Z, Meng Z, Milbury K, et al. Qigong improves quality of life in women undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer: results of a randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2013 May 1;119(9):1690-8.

Oh B, Butow PN, Mullan BA, et al.  Effect of medical Qigong on cognitive function, quality of life, and a biomarker of inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Support Care Cancer. 2012 Jun;20(6):1235-42.

Oh B, Butow P, Mullan B, Hale A, Lee MS, Guo X, Clarke S. A critical review of the effects of medical Qigong on quality of life, immune function, and survival in cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther. 2012 Jun;11(2):101-10.

Oh B, Butow P, Mullan B, et al. Impact of medical Qigong on quality of life, fatigue, mood and inflammation in cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Oncol. 2010 Mar;21(3):608-14.

Lee TI, Chen HH, Yeh ML. Effects of chan-chuang qigong on improving symptom and psychological distress in chemotherapy patients. Am J Chin Med. 2006;34(1):37-46.

Bower JE, Crosswell AD, Stanton AL, et al. Mindfulness meditation for younger breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Cancer. 2015 Apr 15;121(8):1231-40.

Carlson LE, Doll R, Stephen J, et al. Randomized controlled trial of Mindfulness-based cancer recovery versus supportive expressive group therapy for distressed survivors of breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2013 Sep 1;31(25):3119-26.

Kim YH, Kim HJ, Ahn SD, Seo YJ, Kim SH. Effects of meditation on anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life of women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer. Complement Ther Med. 2013 Aug;21(4):379-87.

Musial F, Büssing A, Heusser P, Choi KE, Ostermann T. Mindfulness-based stress reduction for integrative cancer care: a summary of evidence. Forsch Komplementmed. 2011;18(4):192-202.

Matchim Y, Armer JM, Stewart BR. Mindfulness-based stress reduction among breast cancer survivors: a literature review and discussion. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2011 Mar;38(2):E61-71.

Matchim Y, Armer JM. Measuring the psychological impact of mindfulness meditation on health among patients with cancer: a literature review. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2007 Sep;34(5):1059-66.

Ott MJ, Norris RL, Bauer-Wu SM. Mindfulness meditation for oncology patients: a discussion and critical review. Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Jun;5(2):98-108.

Henderson VP, Clemow L, Massion AO, et al. The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on psychosocial outcomes and quality of life in early-stage breast cancer patients: a randomized trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2012 Jan;131(1):99-109.  

 

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