Integrative Medicine at the James M Stockman Cancer Institute

Meditation, relaxation and imagery can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, mood, and pain, and results in decreased stress hormones and improvement of immunity.

Mind-body techniques are meant to be practiced regularly to produce beneficial effects. Each time patients feel the benefit of a technique they are using, they reinforce a sense of control over their own lives and counter feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Meditation focuses attention on increasing mental awareness and clarity of mind (Concentrative meditation) or opens attention to whatever goes through the mind and to the flow of sensations experienced from moment to moment

(Mindfulness meditation). The most extensively studied form of meditation in oncology is a multicomponent program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which includes mindfulness meditation, yoga stretching, and group dynamics. Practicing mindfulness can be associated with significant improvement in mood disturbance and stress symptoms.

Participating Provider

• Anthony Dominic Chielli

The practice of Yoga combines physical movement, breath control, and meditation. Yoga can help to improve sleep quality, decrease sleep disturbance, help to maintain social well-being and enhance overall quality of life.

For patients going through chemotherapy, yoga may be associated with decreased frequency and intensity of nausea, improved quality of life and mood, decreased anxiety, depression, and perceived stress.

Participating Provider

• Margy Smariga

Tai Chi incorporates physical movement, breath control, and meditation and is associated with increased aerobic capacity, muscular strength and flexibility, and improved health-related quality of life and self-esteem. In elderly participants, Tai Chi can reduce fall risks and help to maintain mobility.

Participating Provider

• Cain Yentzer

Acupuncture is a therapeutic modality originating from traditional Chinese medicine. Theoretically based on regulation of the flow of “qi”, or vital energy, by stimulation with needles, heat, or pressure on certain points on the body, evidence supports the use of acupuncture in treating some common symptoms experienced by cancer patients, such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and radiation-induced xerostomia.

In addition, acupuncture may also be helpful for patients suffering from cancer-related dyspnea, cancer-related fatigue, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, or post-thoracotomy pain.

Participating Providers

• Alexander King, L.Ac., C.M.D.
• Houng King, L.Ac., C.M.D.

Massage therapy helps relieve common symptoms associated with a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment such as anxiety, pain, fatigue, and distress. When working with cancer patients, the application of deep or intense pressure is typically avoided during massage.

Participating Provider

• Brian Pick

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods. Naturopathic practice includes nutritional medicine, botanical medicine and naturopathic physical medicine (including naturopathic manipulative therapy).

Participating Provider

• Ashley L. Russell, N.D.

Frederick Meditation Center

Education & Training:

Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, with a background in neuroscience.
Well-read in the fields of Buddhism, mindfulness, meditation and spirituality.

Certifications & Affiliations:

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Certification

Professional Interests:

Teaching meditation, the study of spirituality, psychology, neuroscience, science of happiness, science of mindfulness

Languages:

English

Tri Service Clinic

Education & Training:

4th Generation Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
Dongguk University Los Angeles

Certifications & Affiliations:

Maryland State Licensed Acupuncturist
National Board Certified Acupuncturist

Professional Interests:

Specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. Holistic approach to health with an emphasis on prevention and treatment of the body as a whole. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for complete body, mind, and spirit wellness.

Languages:

English
Mandarin Chinese

Tri Service Clinic

Education & Training:

Third generation Acupuncturist

China Scientific Acupuncture Research Center

Honorary Doctorate Degree from Southeastern University Washington DC

Certifications & Affiliations:

Maryland State Licensed Acupuncturist

National Board Certified Acupuncturist

Professional Interests:

Specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Holistic approach to health with an emphasis on prevention and treatment of the body as a whole.

Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment for complete body, mind and spirit wellness.

Languages:

English
Mandarin Chinese

James M. Stockman Cancer Institute

Education & Training:

Master’s Degree in Acupuncture

Certifications & Affiliations:

Licensed Acupuncturist in Maryland

Professional Interests:

Acupuncture
Moxibustion
Cupping
QiGong
Taichi

Languages:

English

James M. Stockman Cancer Institute

Certifications & Affiliations:

Licensed Massage Therapist in Maryland and Virginia
Certification in Manual Lymph Drainage

Professional Interests:

Brian Pick has been a licensed massage therapist for 10 years. He believes in open dialogue between patients and medical providers to make massage a safe adjuvant treatment, linked with the patients other treatments, to form a balanced care plan. Besides being involved with his kids and partner, Brian is active in the local Kiwanis Club of Frederick, Maryland.

Languages:

English

Frederick Natural Health Center

Education & Training:

Dr. Ashley L. Russell graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Russell’s clinical experience focused primarily on Women’s Health. She completed several clinical rotations at the Sojourner Center, a women’s domestic violence shelter, as well rotations for supportive cancer treatments. She completed additional training in botanical medicine from Gaia Herbs in North Carolina. In addition, she has received over 200 hours of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy training.

Prior to medical school, she received her B.S. in Applied Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, where she spent over a year researching the impact of bio remediating plants on Costa Rican soil.

Certifications & Affiliations:

Active member of Maryland Naturopathic Doctors Association (MNDA)
Active member of American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

Professional Interests:

Dr. Russell has a strong interest in nutrition, women's health, hormones, and epigenetics, which play a role in cancer care. Dr. Russell is adjunct faculty at Frederick Community College teaching Anatomy and Physiology. She has previously taught Biochemistry, Nutrition, Human Biology, and Genetics.

Languages:

English

Education & Training:

RYT 200, Bagheera Yoga/Pruyoga, Washington, DC
RYT 500, American Viniyoga Institute, Watsonville, CA
Certified Yoga Therapist, American Viniyoga Institute, Watsonville, CA
Yoga of Awareness for Cancer, Duke Integrative Medicine, Durham, NC
Yoga for Seniors, Peggy Cappy, Kripalu Center

Certifications & Affiliations:

E-RYT 500, registered with Yoga Alliance
CYT (Certified Yoga Therapist), certified by International Association of Yoga Therapists

Professional Interests:

Margy teaches therapeutic group classes, offers private yoga therapy sessions, and teaches in a yoga therapy training program.

Languages:

English

Inner Court Tai-Chi

Education & Training:

Yang Family Tai-Chi 37 Postures, Nei-Gong, Push-Hands, Liu He Ba Fa(6 Harmonies 8 Methods Fist), Yang Family Hidden Tradition 127 Postures, Nei-Gong, Qi-Na, Chi-Gong and Martial Applications.

Professional Interests:

Tai-Chi,Internal Martial Arts, Chi-Gong, Nei-Gong (Taoist Meditation)

Languages:

English
Mandarin Chinese