Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD, M.P.H.
Medical Director and founder of PCMC

• Western medical training at National Taiwan University, Worcester City Hospital, University of Massachusetts Medical Center
• Masters degree in Public Health, University of Hawaii
• Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Acupuncture training in Taiwan and at New York University
• Director of Pacific Pain Clinic 1988-93
• Director of Pacific Complementary Medicine Center since 1999
  

Pacific Complementary Medicine Center is expanding. All projects at PCMC are moving along. The first phase of our remodeling is completed. Dr. Brian Chee Loh and Dr. Michael Shi have moved into the new wing for Traditional Chinese Medicine, and we now have a bigger seminar room. A third licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, William F. Chinnock III, has joined us from San Diego. After graduating from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Bill studied at the Shandong College of Traditional Medicine in Jinan, China. Dr. Chinnock employs the use of homeopathy, nutrition, tai chi and qi gong exercise, and tuina (therapeutic massage), in addition to acupuncture and herbs in his practice.

Bill's arrival synchronizes with new projects to provide acupuncture-based chemical dependency treatment for both juvenile and adult Drug Court participants. Like other PCMC providers, Bill is an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist. In the West, mental disorders are as a rule treated with drugs. Psychiatrists hope to control the symptoms by altering the chemicals in the brain with their prescriptions.

At Pacific Complementary Medicine Center, while acknowledging the need for controlling chemicals in the brain in acute or severe cases, we really do not think that artificial manipulation or suppression is the answer. Based on our experience with dually diagnosed (for chemical dependency and mental disorder) patients, we feel that patients can benefit from a comprehensive approach via coordinated efforts of counseling, acupuncture, meditation, tai chi and qi gong. In addition to treating addiction, PCMC may be involved in a pilot study to test the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of ADHD (Attention Deficit & Hyperactive Disorder) in adolescents.

Later this year, we are planning to start a Wellness Clinic in the early evenings for working people who want to quit smoking, lose weight, manage stress, or simply stay fit. I am happy to announce that PCMC had added a nutrition component to our existing program. PCMC Herb Center will open on September 26, 1998 and will carry Eastern and Western herb products as well as nutritional supplements.

You are cordially invited to join us at the Grand Opening. You are also invited to participate in our Fall health seminars, TEA & INSPIRATION, starting Monday, September 28. It is my sincere hope that we all become informed consumers and benefit from the best of both worlds.

 In Peace & Health,

          Yi-Po Anthony Wu, MD

TOPIC OF THE DAY -
Complementary Approach to
Cancer Treatment

Modern allopathic medicine relies mainly on surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to fight cancer. While these procedures have gained some grounds, they are still far from winning the battle. Besides, their side effects seriously hampered the patients' quality of life, causing a lot of discomfort and suffering.

In China, cancer treatment has always taken the complementary approach. It is also a pragmatic one. Chinese oncologists typically combine the use of acupuncture, herbs, tai chi, and qi gong in conjunction with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for cancer patients.

According to the thousands of case reports, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has allowed patients undergoing western therapies to retain quality of life, while maximizing the effectiveness of these therapies. In order to gain some insight on TCM, we must explore its philosophical basis as well as its application Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards cancers as systemic illnesses resulting from chaotic, unbalanced life forces (or qi) inside and outside the body.

The protective qi keeps bodily functions in check and balance. Poor relationship and emotional outlook (such as outbursts and depression), along with improper diet and chemical exposure in the environment will contribute to the obstruction of protective qi which is the equivalent of the immune system. The malfunction of the immune system is indisputably the immediate cause of cancer development. TCM diagnosis goes directly to the source and treatment aims to remove the ill causes.

TCM takes a pragmatic approach toward the treatment of cancer. In TCM, treatment plans are designed on the basis of specific diagnosis through observation, interview, and examination. Acupuncture points are selected, herbs are prescribed , while diet change, exercise, or other treatment are also recommended. According to the evaluation of individual patient's qi status along the different channels throughout the body. The commonly prescribed regimens for cancer are:

• To eliminate toxins and reduce heat produced by cancerous breakdown of the body, acupuncture points are commonly selected from the liver and kidney channels. Herbs used include banzhilian (barbat skullcap), banlangen (isatis tinctoria), jinyinhua (honey suickle), and zihuadiding (wild violet).
• Clood nurtures qi an qi mobilizes blood. The stagnation or obstruction of either qi or blood gives the tumor growth. Acupuncture points vary, depending on the locations of obstruction. Herbs include taoren (peach seed), chishao (red peony root), sanleng (burreed tuber), and e zhu (zedoary.
• Emotional suppression causes qi to be stagnant, especially at the liver channel. That is where acupuncture points should be chosen. To ease and regulate the liver qi, herbs used include caihu (bupleuri radix), xiangfu (nut grass), zhike (bitter orange), and bayueja (akebia quinata).
• When there are signs of fatigue, poor appetite, and weakness in the pulses, it is important to replenish qi by regulating the spleen and stomach channels and by offering nutritional support with herbs like renshen (panax ginseng), huangqi (astragalus), dangshen (codonopsis), and tusizi (dodder seed).

TCM treatment strategies correspond to the stages of cancer development. At an early stage, when the body is still able to sustain the impact of therapy, an aggressive approach is advised to completely remove cancer. At the intermediate stage, equal attention should be given to cancer elimination and immunity building. At the advanced stage, when the body is consumed by cancer and unable to withstand further onslaught from aggressive treatments, priority should be given to energy boosting and pain relief. A wrong emphasis at the wrong stage may mean missed healing opportunity or unnecessary suffering from the patient.

Introducing PCMC Herb Center

We are what we eat. Ideally, we eat to keep our health in balance. When our health is off balance, advised Hypocrites, "Let your food be your medicine." Food can be chosen to regulate and restore the balance. Building on the strength of our team of licensed medical professionals knowledgeable in both Eastern and Western herbs, we are ready to extend PCMC's services to provide quality health food products and dispense reliable information, based on literature and scientific research, to our clients.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses scores of herbs in formulas and recipes for boosting the immune system. The most popular herbs are ginseng, astragalus, wild yam, wolfberry, cinnamon, dangguai, acanthopanax, reishi mushroom, dodder seed, hare's ear, salvia miltiorrhiza, and schizandra seed. These herbs can be prepared in soup, as beverage, or in steamed or stewed dishes.

While we don't intend to sell fresh produce at our Herb Center, we carry a few common Chinese grocery items in the form of dried herbs. These include lotus seed, tiger lily buds, kelp, mung beans, and, of course, ginseng and dangguai, plus a full array of teas (green tea, chrysanthemum tea, honeysuckle tea, etc.).

We carry only time-proven and FDA-regulated Eastern and Western herb products. For the convenience of our clients, vitamins and minerals will also be available. We are here to serve you and to promote natural healing.

See you at our Grand Opening!

ASTRAGALUS (huangqi) -
The Rising Star of Tonic Herbs

Huangqi (Astragalus membrananaceous), a commonly used Chinese herb, has demonstrated in several Eastern and Western research studies to boost the body's immune system by increasing activities of lymphocytes (T and B cells) and stimulating the production of anti-bodies.

These studies suggest that astragalus may prevent the spread of malignant cancer and help restore normal immune functions. The dried root of astragalus has been used in China for a variety of chronic ailments, including poor appetite, night sweat, fatigue, and weakness.

For centuries astragalus has been recognized as a superior tonic along with ginseng and reishi mushroom. Dr. Andrew Weil reported in Spontaneous Healing (1995) that "In contemporary Chinese medicine astragalus is also a chief component of fu zheng therapy, a combination herbal treatment to restore immune function in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

Research in china has demonstrated increased survival in patients receiving both herbal and Western therapies, as well as moderation of the immunosuppressive effects of the latter." (p. 178) Astragalus is safe and effective. It restores energy and vitality to debilitated patients.

It is used singly or in formulas. It can also be cooked in soups and used regularly.