Submitted by Prof. Anthony James MSc.(Clinical Herbology), DNM(C), ND(T), MD(AM), DOM(Acu), DPHC(h.c.), PhD(IM), PhD(Hospitallar Medicine h.c.), DMM, RAAP, UTTS, MSGR./CHEV., Ordained Native Monsignor Native Bishop, Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church of the East in Brazil, Dean, Professor, Director of Education and Traditional Medicine
What is Cachexia?
'Cachexia; from Greek κακός kakos "bad" and ἕξις hexis "condition")[1] or wasting syndrome is loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight. Cachexia is also known as seen in patients with cancer, AIDS,[2] chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure, tuberculosis, familial amyloid polyneuropathy, mercury poisoning (acrodynia) and hormonal deficiency. It is a positive risk factor for death, meaning if the patient has cachexia, the chance of death from the underlying condition is increased dramatically. About 50% of all cancer patients suffer from cachexia.(
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cachexia#cite_note-epcrc-2010-9)
Mechanism
The exact mechanism in which these diseases cause cachexia is poorly understood and may vary from one individual to another, but there is probably a role for inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (which is also nicknamed 'cachexin' or 'cachectin'), interferon gamma and interleukin 6, as well as the tumor-secreted proteolysis-inducing factor. Side effects of Chemotherapy Drug regimen and or radiation therapy may be causes. Categories of physical/ biological adverse and or side effects of conventional Cancer therapies: Edema, Inflammation, Neuropathies and Neuralgias, Immune suppression, Cachexia. Severe, possibly long term chronic malnutrition may be a factor.
Management:
1) Can Indigenous and traditional, native medicine practices and or evolving therapies derived from Indigenous culture traditions make a positive contribution towards Cancer complication remediation and palliative care?
or
1a) Are indigenous and traditional based therapies viable as complimentary adjuncts in support of and or alternative to conventional Allopathic treatment schedules and procedures?
and if they are,
2) What might be the conditions or complications that have the potential for the strongest possible remediation / palliation outcomes?
3) According to International Standards: What palliative therapies, procedures and/ or processes offer the strongest therapeutic outcomes for Cachexia? (As recommended by European Clinical Guidelines for Clinical practice guidelines on cancer cachexia in advanced cancer patients with a focus on refractory cachexia.)(*1)
A) Nutritional Treatment (Diet and food)
B) Supplements, vitamins and minerals
C) Non Drug treatment
D) Nutritional counseling and or education
E) Psychotherapeutic interventions
F) Physical Training and other physical interventions
G) Cannabinoids
H) Omega -3 fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
I) Multimodel therapy
3) What types of indigenous medicines, therapies, procedures and/ or processes offer equivalent therapeutic outcomes for Cachexia?
A) Thai Yoga Origins: Indigenous-Traditional Thai Yoga/ Traditional Thai Massage Therapy: A derivative of Traditional Thai Medicine (Ayurveda) a variant or derivative of Classical Indian Ayurveda influenced by Indigenous, traditional and Tribal traditions (Karen, Akha, Lisu, Mieng and Hmaung Tribal People as well as Tibetan, Southern Chinese (Amma, Tuina), and Malay (Yunani) classical medical culture.
Traditional/ Classical Thai Yoga/ Thai Massage contains the following areas of emphasis and therapeutic modalities:
1) Sophisticated and refined Manual/ Physio/ Body-centric Hands-on interventions:
Thai Yoga incorporates elements of energetic (unseen energy: magnetic, electric, sonic etc.) and Prana assessment, mindfulness, gentle rocking, Asana positional, structural release, deep stretching, focused deep breathing or Prana Yama, Chakra balancing (Pyscho-emotional, Somatic and propriaceptive emphasis), Prana Nadi or Sen line balancing ( Lines of stress, TSM’s, Facial and connective tissue planes and or lymphatic pathways) and rhythmic compression with either broad deep, non specific tools such as palm, foot, elbow and knee to specific point emphasis with either specific point ( area of high neurologic potential) or broad trans- subcutaneous muscular or facial plane to create a singular healing experience. Osteo and or Skeletal emphasis including “Bending the bones” stimulates the immune system as stress to the bones stimulates bone densification and production of marrow factors such as stem cells and lymphocyte production. Application additionally acts as a sophisticated complex decongestive therapy for manual lymph drainage reduces both stagnant lymph/ interstitial circulation. (*3) It is both stimulating to key beneficial bio-chemical processes and deeply relaxing and nurturing at the same time!
Additionally, as Thai Yoga is a passive, assisted and or co-facilitated, slow or non-ballistic therapy it is non-invasive and appropriate for patients at all levels of care including palliative hospice and end of life strategy. Over 1000 distinctive techniques have been refined in common use over centuries of practice.
Thai Yoga also emphasizes the development of a personal mild Yoga posture routine for maintenance. This type of low impact, non- ballistic exercise meets all criteria for physical training, especially safe as it is self paced and once learned can be practiced without supervision.
2) Nutritional and or Dietary recommendations based on Classical Ayurveda and local or indigenous nutrition emphasizing whole, fresh, unadulterated (No Chemical, processed, GMO), varietal, seasonal and local… Nutritional emphasis includes hydration therapy, eating and meal planning, natural supplementation with herbs, minerals, salts, oils and fats. Foods, herbs and traditional medicines recommended or commonly used emphasize both anti-inflammatory, anti-tumetic, and alkaline or anti-acidosis qualities. and These not only include varietal and wholesome fresh vegetables but nuts, seeds, herbs and fresh fish high in all essential nutrients including trace minerals and EFA’s.
3) Psychological/ Mental and Emotional support with a nurturing, counseling model. Strategies include addressing old unresolved negative emotional issues (Karma) with practical positive initiatives and activities (Metta or making Merit). Counseling strategies are varied from the use of prayers and singing to recitation of positive and affirming statements with meditation (Neuro/ emotional and or neuro-physical integration strategies). Although in traditional terms would be called by different names!
4) Spiritual Counseling: Varies according to specific individual beliefs and needs. However the cultivation of the four qualities of Love , Compassion, Joy and Equanimity or Balanced Mind are considered paramount to the healing process of any debilitating or chronic disease including all Cancers. Emphasis on cultivation of high functioning and functional relationship dynamics, inter-family and inter-community leads to enhanced since of self worth and reduction in Depressive symptoms. Depression is a key indicator in Cachestic assessments both as a predictor of severity or increase and as depression/ anxiety/ anorexia symptoms resolve or decrease an indicator of progress.
B) Traditional Native American Medicine: Origins: Various Indigenous, tribal Native Peoples of North and South America Cancer and cancer like illnesses were known to native peoples: Many different tribes and indigenous groups developed both formal and familial remedies and effective treatment strategies: Most if not all remedies were and are today multi-model or mutli-modality in design and implementation including emotional spiritual, physical and well as herbal, medicinal approaches. Origin of specific therapeutic approaches will vary widely from one tribe to another and according to geographical origin or location. However, there are therapeutic approaches which meet modern criteria as effective palliative and remedial therapies.
One such example being the Tuscorora Indian Nation, originally from the Carolina to Northern Virginia/ New York region of the US, known as the “People of the Hemp” who according to Joseph Campbell “were well known among other tribes for their gathering and use of the Indian Hemp for fiber and medicine”. (*2)
Medical use of Cannabis and derivatives/ concentrates, extracts etc. especially High CBD’s content are being looked at favorably by medical research worldwide. Classical Ayurveda uses and recommends many palliative therapies incorporating some derivative of Cannabis. The earliest know verifiable reference: Vangasena…“Compendium of the essence of medicine” (Cikitsasarasangraha) by the Bengali author Vangasena (between 1050-1100bc)
In conclusion: I answer the question “Can Indigenous and traditional, native medicine practices and or evolving therapies derived from Indigenous culture traditions make a positive contribution towards Cancer complication remediation and palliative care? “ with an imperative affirmative. Indigenous and traditional based therapies offer non-invasive, viable complimentary adjuncts in support of and or alternative to conventional Allopathic treatment schedules and procedures for Cachexia and other complication issues in Cancer patients. At the very least they support a greater sense of vitality, wellbeing and enhanced capacity to be active during Cancer treatment and at the most they support positive outcomes and the efficacy of care.
