Turning Curses into Blessings: An Eastern Body-Mind-Spirit Appraoch to Cancer Care
Thursday, 20 September 2007 - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
presented by Cecilia Chan PhD, Pamela Leung and Siu-Man Ng

Target Audience: All participants of the conference and cancer patients

Workshop Objectives:

1. To develop a general understanding of the Eastern Body-Mind-Spirit Appraoch to cancer care

2. To learn principals of Chinese medicine applied on psycho-oncology

3. To learn hands on techniques of breathing, acupressure, movement exercises for cancer patients in symptom control, rehabilitation and meaning reconstruction

Workshop Description:

Cancer patients experience substantial psychological distress in addition to their physical suffering. Disease and symptoms-oriented approaches in conventional Western single-modal psychosocial interventions are not sufficient to heal patients of their pain and trauma from cancer. Working with Chinese cancer patients and witnessing their growth and resilience, we consolidate their experiences into an Eastern Body-Mind-Spirit (BMS) Intervention model with a strong emphasis of turning crisis into opportunities and growth through pain. This model blends the intervention approaches, techniques and outcome measure of the East with that of the West. The intervention is rooted from the Eastern philosophy of the premise that our physical states (Body), emotions and social relationship (Mind), and life values/philosophy as well as ultimate send of meaning (Spirit) are integral part of the whole person. The dynamic equilibrium among these three elements will contribute to one’s health and well-being. Through this empowering intervention, the suffering arising from cancer can be turned into positive energy that enables reconstruction of meaning, personal growth and transformation (Chan, Ng et al, 2006). Through fifteen years of practice consolidation, we found patients who had participated in the intervention program to report gains and transformation in life due to their cancer experiences. Many of them considered cancer as a ‘gift’ to their lives. In this workshop, we shall describe our intervention approaches, its theoretical background in relation to the concept of transformation and the evidence for its applicability and effectiveness briefly (Chan, Ho et al., 2006). Majority of the time will be used to practice the ‘One-Second Techniques’ (Chan, 2001).

Our mood state can be altered in a split second, especially when one is exposed to risk (fear), sexual (excitement) or funny (laugh) episodes. At the same time, cancer patients may be locked in a depressive and low-energy state for prolonged periods of time. There is also anger, frustration, unwilling to accept the losses of cancer, guilt, blame and shame. Such mixed emotions are found to affect our body, mind and spiritual well-being. Our team named this as Stagnation Syndrome (Ng et al, 2006). The patient felt stuck, immobilized and not able to let go. The ‘One Second Techniques’ are simplified skills and techniques developed from knowledge from Chinese Medicine and wisdom of traditional practices. They include: 1. simple movements developed from tai-chi and chi-gong, 2. acupressure points will be introduced to teach the essential acupuncture points for enhancement of immune functions and for mood control, 3. breathing techniques for release of stagnated energy. These techniques will help participants to empower cancer patients through regaining a sense of control of the body, thoughts and emotions to feel a sense of mastery on their life. Unlike a proper Tai-chi Class, these techniques are so simple that it can be learnt quickly. Practicing of these techniques can also change one’s mood almost spontaneously. That is why this set of practice is called ‘One Second Techniques’. The workshop will be a fun session together, please put on comfortable shoes and clothing.