Traditional Chinese Medicine Approches to Cancer: Harmony in the Face of the Tiger

by Henry McGrath

Research shows that Chinese medicine can be very effective in supporting the treatment of cancer by orthodox Western methods, and is particularly effective in alleviating many of the side effects of treatment. Henry McGrath draws on his many years as a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine to explain how Chinese medicine approaches cancer in terms of understanding and treatment. He presents the wide range of approaches that Chinese medicine has to offer people with cancer, and offers practical strategies to promote the health of the body as well as methods with which to cultivate the mind, helping the patient develop both physical and mental wellbeing. He covers a wide range of treatments, from acupuncture to Qigong, giving readers a sound basis on which to explore further specific treatment. Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches to Cancer will be an invaluable book for people with cancer and the medical professionals who work with them.

Genres: Health, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[athena t · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book’s title is cancer focused but in my opinion it is a concise read for everyone. I love the way the body and the environment are explained as one system interlinked with our mind and emotions. The most useful knowledge in this book is general food types for different kinds of body constitutions that will be of help to every reader and not just ill people. It is a short book so if you have time on your hands , you should definitely read it. Or just read the last quarter of the book if you are too busy . I am glad that I read it.

[xhozush · Rating 3 out of 5]

the focus on specific illnesses was helpful but it lacked the structure & clarity to make it a good tool. i don’t feel like i learned anything new from this book.

[Panda1602 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupressure (the use of applying pressure to meridian points as oppose to using needles) I found this book quite informative and is destined to become a great reference book. I particularly liked the discussions around the various meridian points for treating various imbalances when diagnosed, and I also resonated with the information around emotions and their effects on the physical and energetic body. Whilst certainly not an in depth practitioner manual by any means, it certainly does provide some useful tips for those who may be dealing with cancer. Whilst well written, the author does not go into great depth in treating cancer. He tends to skirt around the edges, providing a more high level discussion of cancer and imbalances in the body. With saying this, I was left wondering whether the lay person would completely understand the various meridian points and elemental issues enough, to be able to implement an effective plan for dealing with the imbalances in their body. I felt the book was more targeted at an audience who may have some understandings of the Chinese health model. Therefore I would strongly suggest, for anyone reading this book who is not trained, to seek advice from a qualified TCM or Acupuncture Practitioner, prior to integrating a holistic plan into their health regime.

[S. Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

While well-written and informational on Traditional Chinese Medicine, in general, I did not find details specific to cancer very informative. Explanations on the perspective and approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine are excellent, well-crafted for delivery to an audience that likely knows little about such. For that reason, this book is a great introduction on Chinese treatments, specifically acupuncture, as well as the philosophy behind them. I did not find the focus on cancer to be very thorough or enlightening. Tailoring the medicinal approach to treating cancer or the effects of it was more suggestion of what may help, rather than instructional application to accomplish that. Details on some herbs and nutrition are useful to anyone, but again, was an encyclopaedic distillation, rather than an in-depth focus on cancer. I highly recommend it as a primer on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

[Ned · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book describes the basics of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has a special accent on cancer. It starts with a short intro about the origins and the different elements, it goes through acupuncture, herbs, foods and finally Qi. The author doesn't go deep into the topics as he provides a short overview and outlines the major point. Throughout the book the different applications to the cancer are pointed out along with different studies that support the findings. The book is a great intro to the TCM world and also helpful for cancer patients who want to explore and dive into the eastern way of treatment.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick skim for cancer seminar final paper. A good general introduction to TCM and cancer, but not as much detail as I would have liked. Also tends to get a little preachy about how Western medicine doesn't take into account the "whole patient," which is completely true, but I could have done without the roundabout reiterations.