ICIM Blog

Submitted by Mark Hyman MD

The Senate is having hearings on transforming health care and integrative and Functional medicine and the National Academy of Sciences is hosting an Institute of Medicine Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public http://www.iom.edu/integrativemedicine.

I am also honored to let you know that on Thursday, February 26th between 10 am and 12 pm, I will be testifying on how Functional medicine can help solve our health care crisis before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions at the invitation of Senators Kennedy, Harkin and Mikulski.

You can view this testimony, along with that of Drs. Oz, Ornish and Weil online at:

http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2009_02_26/2009_02_26.html

I am not clear on whether the hearing will be streamed live or available for viewing afterward, so please check back for the recorded version if it's not streamed live.

Here is some of what I will be sharing with them.

The current medical and scientific paradigm of acute care medicine has been unable to effectively address the epidemic of chronic disease and its associated costs.

There is a new paradigm which addresses the fundamental underlying causes of chronic disease, and can form the basis for a more effective model of medical education, practice, and research that over time will generate dramatic cost savings and improved health outcomes.

There are specific initiatives and strategies based on this new paradigm that can help quickly transform our sick care system into a health care system.

Even if we get everything else right in health care reform, it won't matter unless we address the underlying causes of illness that drive both costs and the development of chronic disease. This innovative approach to chronic disease cannot only prevent but also more effectively TREAT chronic disease.

We must change not only the WAY we do medicine, but also the medicine we DO.

We must improve not only financing and delivery of health care, but also our fundamental scientific approach to chronic disease-an epidemic that now affects 133 million Americans and accounts for 78% of health care costs.

This way of doing medicine, or Functional medicine, is a system of personalized, patient centered care based on how our environment and lifestyle choices act on our genes to create imbalances in our core biologic systems. Those imbalances show up as the signs and symptoms we call disease.

It is best solution for our health care crisis. The solution is not our current acute care model, which though extremely effective for acute disease, leads to worse outcomes and higher costs when applied to chronic disease because it doesn't address WHY people are sick.

This new paradigm is personalized, preventive, participatory, predictive, prospective, and patient centered.

It is proactive rather than reactive.

It is based on addressing the causes of disease and optimizing biologic function in the body's core physiologic systems, not only treating the symptoms.

It based on systems biology or medicine.

Re-tooling medical education and research to match the science of systems medicine. I recommend the establishment of a sustainably funded Institute for Lifestyle and Systems Medicine/Functional Medicine.

Creation of Functional medicine demonstration projects in federally funded community health centers, with integrated health care teams focusing on treating chronic disease and providing education about lifestyle and wellness

The establishment of a White House and/or Congressional Office for Health and Wellness to coordinate all efforts in this area.

The evidence is mounting that diet and lifestyle are the best cures for our worst afflictions.
By DEEPAK CHOPRA , DEAN ORNISH , RUSTUM ROY and ANDREW WEIL

In mid-February, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and the Bravewell Collaborative are convening a "Summit on Integrative Medicine and the Health of the Public." This is a watershed in the evolution of integrative medicine, a holistic approach to health care that uses the best of conventional and alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Many of these therapies are now scientifically documented to be not only medically effective but also cost effective.
President-elect Barack Obama and former Sen. Tom Daschle (the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services) understand that if we want to make affordable health care available to the 45 million Americans who do not have health insurance, then we need to address the fundamental causes of health and illness, and provide incentives for healthy ways of living rather than reimbursing only drugs and surgery.
Heart disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, breast cancer and obesity account for 75% of health-care costs, and yet these are largely preventable and even reversible by changing diet and lifestyle. As Mr. Obama states in his health plan, unveiled during his campaign: "This nation is facing a true epidemic of chronic disease. An increasing number of Americans are suffering and dying needlessly from diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and HIV/AIDS, all of which can be delayed in onset if not prevented entirely."
The latest scientific studies show that our bodies have a remarkable capacity to begin healing, and much more quickly than we had once realized, if we address the lifestyle factors that often cause these chronic diseases. These studies show that integrative medicine can make a powerful difference in our health and well-being, how quickly these changes may occur, and how dynamic these mechanisms can be.
Many people tend to think of breakthroughs in medicine as a new drug, laser or high-tech surgical procedure. They often have a hard time believing that the simple choices that we make in our lifestyle -- what we eat, how we respond to stress, whether or not we smoke cigarettes, how much exercise we get, and the quality of our relationships and social support -- can be as powerful as drugs and surgery. But they often are. And in many instances, they're even more powerful.
These studies often used high-tech, state-of-the-art measures to prove the power of simple, low-tech, and low-cost interventions. Integrative medicine approaches such as plant-based diets, yoga, meditation and psychosocial support may stop or even reverse the progression of coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, prostate cancer, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and other chronic conditions.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that these approaches may even change gene expression in hundreds of genes in only a few months. Genes associated with cancer, heart disease and inflammation were downregulated or "turned off" whereas protective genes were upregulated or "turned on." A study published in The Lancet Oncology reported that these changes increase telomerase, the enzyme that lengthens telomeres, the ends of our chromosomes that control how long we live. Even drugs have not been shown to do this.
Our "health-care system" is primarily a disease-care system. Last year, $2.1 trillion was spent in the U.S. on medical care, or 16.5% of the gross national product. Of these trillions, 95 cents of every dollar was spent to treat disease after it had already occurred. At least 75% of these costs were spent on treating chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, that are preventable or even reversible.
The choices are especially clear in cardiology. In 2006, for example, according to data provided by the American Heart Association, 1.3 million coronary angioplasty procedures were performed at an average cost of $48,399 each, or more than $60 billion; and 448,000 coronary bypass operations were performed at a cost of $99,743 each, or more than $44 billion. In other words, Americans spent more than $100 billion in 2006 for these two procedures alone.
Despite these costs, a randomized controlled trial published in April 2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine found that angioplasties and stents do not prolong life or even prevent heart attacks in stable patients (i.e., 95% of those who receive them). Coronary bypass surgery prolongs life in less than 3% of patients who receive it. So, Medicare and other insurers and individuals pay billions for surgical procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery that are usually dangerous, invasive, expensive and largely ineffective. Yet they pay very little -- if any money at all -- for integrative medicine approaches that have been proven to reverse and prevent most chronic diseases that account for at least 75% of health-care costs. The INTERHEART study, published in September 2004 in The Lancet, followed 30,000 men and women on six continents and found that changing lifestyle could prevent at least 90% of all heart disease.
That bears repeating: The disease that accounts for more premature deaths and costs Americans more than any other illness is almost completely preventable simply by changing diet and lifestyle. And the same lifestyle changes that can prevent or even reverse heart disease also help prevent or reverse many other chronic diseases as well. Chronic pain is one of the major sources of worker's compensation claims costs, yet studies show that it is often susceptible to acupuncture and Qi Gong. Herbs usually have far fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals.
Joy, pleasure and freedom are sustainable, deprivation and austerity are not. When you eat a healthier diet, quit smoking, exercise, meditate and have more love in your life, then your brain receives more blood and oxygen, so you think more clearly, have more energy, need less sleep. Your brain may grow so many new neurons that it could get measurably bigger in only a few months. Your face gets more blood flow, so your skin glows more and wrinkles less. Your heart gets more blood flow, so you have more stamina and can even begin to reverse heart disease. Your sexual organs receive more blood flow, so you may become more potent -- similar to the way that circulation-increasing drugs like Viagra work. For many people, these are choices worth making -- not just to live longer, but also to live better.
It's time to move past the debate of alternative medicine versus traditional medicine, and to focus on what works, what doesn't, for whom, and under which circumstances. It will take serious government funding to find out, but these findings may help reduce costs and increase health.
Integrative medicine approaches bring together those in red states and blue states, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, because these are human issues. They are both medically effective and, important in our current economic climate, cost effective. These approaches emphasize both personal responsibility and the opportunity to make affordable, quality health care available to those who most need it. Mr. Obama should make them an integral part of his health plan as soon as possible.
Dr. Chopra, the author of more than 50 books on the mind, body and spirit, is guest faculty at Beth Israel Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ornish is clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Mr. Roy is professor emeritus of materials science at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Weil is director of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine.

Submitted by the American Holistic Health Association in their monthly newsletter:

In October, 2005, we reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was implementing plans for a national system for electronic health records and that some organizations were documenting concerns that this would bring about the loss of personal control of our private medical records.

In late 2006, we alerted you to a court decision that indicated that you have no legal recourse if your medical records are shared without your consent.

In 2009, this matter appears to be evolving into a situation where in the U.S. there will be mandatory participation in a national program of electronically storing all medical records. The current economic stimulus bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is being debated in the U.S. Senate includes a provision that a mandatory electronic medical records system be fully implemented by 2014. (It also includes the establishment of a council that will decide what kind of medicine the government approves of, but this is a separate issue.) Under this program, individuals would not have the opportunity to opt out of participating. Privacy advocates are alerting the public that information about abortions, mental health problems, impotence, being labeled as a Ònon-compliant patient,Ó lawsuits against doctors, and sexual problems could be shared electronically with perhaps millions of people. The terms of the new electronics medical records system appear to reverse the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and other regulations currently protecting the privacy of your medical information and requiring your permission to be shared.

What the final compromise economic stimulus bill will contain when the House and Senate have negotiated compromises is not known as of this date. However, as the medical records provision is in both versions, it is expected to remain. What is developing is that lobbying is being done to decrease what privacy protection does exist in the bill.

Issue: The proposed mandatory national electronic medical records system has sufficient protection of my privacy rights.
To learn more, check out the following resources that have differing views of this issue.

PRO
"Dec 19 2008 Letter to Senate and House recommending removal of some privacy provisions"
Confidentiality Coalition

"Taking On Google: Organization Wants Privacy Protection In Stimulus"
On The Hill

CON
"Economic Stimulus Bill Mandates Electronic Health Records for Every Citizen without Opt-out or Patient Consent Provisions"
Institute for Health Freedom

"Do You Want Your Medical Records Online? The Economic Stimulus Bill Puts Your Privacy at Risk"
American Association for Health Freedom

You are invited to participate in an ongoing discussion about this issue at ahhaissuesforum.org. Add your opinions and other online sites that support your position.

Those who know ICIM know Dr. Chappell, a dedicated man who has served in many capacities for ICIM over the years. Most recently, he has been a long-time president of our organization, and in 2009 his presidency came to an end.

We gather together on Saturday, March 14 to honor Dr. Chappell with a dinner, a toast, and an art auction, raising funds toward the Chappell Research Fund of the International College of Integrative Medicine.

Dr. Terry Chappell joined ICIM in 1983, first served as President in the late1980’s and again for an unprecedented 6 one-year terms from 2002-2008. In his initial term he joined with James Carter MD to form the Scientific Advisory Committee, which is still active. Dr. Chappell led many research projects, including two meta-analyses and a multi-center cardiac events study on chelation therapy, and he has been a frequent presenter at ICIM’s famous chelation workshops. His office in Bluffton, Ohio was the office of the ICIM IRB for 10 years. He testified before Congress and the California Medical Board and served as an NIH reviewer twice for the TACT trial. He later became one of the leading enrollers for this important research effort that is still in progress. In Ohio he was instrumental in passing health freedom legislation. He also served as President of ACAM and as a founding Board member of AAHF. Under his leadership ICIM has provided dedicated service to its members, strong relationships with its Exhibitors, and financial responsibility in troubled times.

Tickets can are $50 and can be ordered by calling 419-358-0273.

Do you ever wish you had more training to do your job expertly?
Multi Skilled Program for Chelation and Heavy Metal Toxicology
March 13-14, 2009
Indinapolis, IN

Course Description: This ICIM approved course will provide participant the knowledge to administer a safe treatment program as prescribed by a physician. Information on clinical and administrative aspects of an integrative medical office will be presented. The program can be attended multiple times for ongoing updates in the field.

Who is Eligible for this Course?
Any interested in learning more about heavy metal toxicology and chelation therapy from an office administration and clinical perspective. (See requirements listed below for certification.)

Objectives:
Define Chelation / Heavy Metals, Explain History of Chelation / Heavy Metals, List Indications and Contraindications, Discuss Heavy Metal Toxicology, Outline a Comprehensive Chelation Program , Perform Patient Education specific to prescribed comprehensive chelation program, List indications and contraindications of individual chelating agents, List indications and contraindications of other agents that may be used in a clinical setting, Describe Protocol for Chelation Patient Assessment, Identity IV Protocol, List required and optional supplies utilized in clinical chelation settings, Identify possible complications of the chelation process and corrective protocol , Recognize importance of patient – staff communication, Identify phone etiquette skills, State methods of payment / reimbursement, Identify Legal Aspects for Integrative medical office setting, Discuss importance of knowing state regulations, Describe OSHA Requirements in relation to an Integrative Medical office, Describe HIPPA Requirements in relation of an Integrative Medical office

We Heard You!
Over the years, we hear regularly from our Chelation Affiliates that they value this course highly however many times they attend. Not just for the information, but because they gain a community of colleagues in the field of integrative medicine. This time, due to popular request, the course will include information on an interactive blog, where attendees can ask ongoing questions, review new material and keep in touch with one another.

(Optional) Requirements for Certification (Professional Title: Certified Chelation Affiliate ~ C.C.A.): 14 hour ICIM training course, and successful passing of an exam with a score of 75% or above. Exam Fee: $50

In this troubled economy, business concerns are at the forefront of our minds. "Seeking Global Advances in Healthcare" will address this with multiple sessions on business development in this new economic reality. We know that you can't help patients if your business model is unhealthy.

Terry Chappell MD is Board-Certified in Family Medicine, former long-time president of ICIM, and has published widely in the field of integrative medicine. The Medical Home is a concept developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians to coordinate medical care. It will likely be an important part of the Obama plan. Chappell will describe how this concept could be beneficial to integrative physicians.
William Faber DO is a popular author and speaker in pain management and prolotherapy. He as served as a valuable consultant for many physicians in practice management. His presentation will outline a crucial factor for practice success that is often ignored with terrible consequences: patient selection.
Medical Justice (www.medicaljustice.com), a company which protects physicians' reputations and deters proponents of frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits.
Robert J. Rowen Editor-in-Chief of the Second Opinion Newsletter, Robert J. Rowen MD is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Rowen is known as "The Father of Medical Freedom" for pioneering the nation’s first statutory protection for alternative medicine in 1990. He will share ideas in integrative medicine business protection through becoming a private association.
Laura Kunze MBA has an additional MA in expressive arts therapies and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. Her presentation will describe how to create a successful business in the field of integrative medicine. Her workshops on this topic have been popular with neophytes and experienced physicians in this field of practice.
Title: Business Models in Integrative Medicine; Ways to Gain Financial Ground in Ongoing Economic and Political Change
Participates will:
1. Identify 4 models of Integrative Medicine clinics
2. Name ways the clinical model informs the business med
3. Identify characteristics of the successful Integrative med business Model
4. Identify patient satisfaction initiatives and their use
This presentation seeks to review business models of various integrative medicine clinics. We will identify characteristics of successful models and how they inform clinical patient satisfaction, productivity, and financial benefits.

This year’s ICIM conference, held March 11-15, 2009 is titled Seeking Global Advances in Health Care ~ The most advanced integrative practices from around the world.

Both at our Lead-in Workshop “The Theoretical Basis for Integrative Cancer Care” and at our Main Congress, ICIM is proud to present a very special featured speaker: Ralph Moss PhD.

Some of you know him from The Moss Reports: The Trusted Source of Cancer News and Opinion (http://www.cancerdecisions.com/order.html)

Some of you know him from his recent article in the Townsend News "War on Cancer; a report from the 2008 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, or from his numberous other published articles.

Some of you have read his books: Cancer Therapy: The Independent Consumer's Guide to Non-Toxic Treatment & Prevention, Questioning Chemotherapy, Complementary Oncology: Adjunctive Methods in the Treatment of Cancer, Herbs Against Cancer, and The Cancer Industry, New Updated Edition

And now ICIM (www.integrativemedicineconference.com) brings you:
Ralph Moss, PhD
Title: "Traveling for Treatment: Non-Conventional Cancer Therapies Around the World"
This present will provide a comprehensive view of innovative cancer therapies in four countries. Methods and philosophies will be contrasted and discussed. I will give examples of patients' experiences in each case
1. To provide an overview of cancer treatment today
2. To teach about cancer treatments in Germany, Mexico, and China
3. To discuss differences between US and foreign approaches to oncology
4. To discuss access and experiences of Americans seeking treatment abroad

The medical writer Ralph W. Moss, PhD, has written or edited twelve books and three film documentaries, mostly on the question of cancer research and treatment. He is a graduate of New York City public schools, New York University (BA, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1965) and Stanford University (MA, 1973, PhD, 1974, Classics). The former science writer and assistant director of public affairs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York (1974-1977), for over 30 years Moss has independently evaluated the claims of various cancer treatments, conventional and nonconventional. He currently directs The Moss Reports, a periodically updated library of detailed reports on 200+ varieties of cancer diagnoses. Although not a medical doctor, he is noted for his critical acumen and is listed in Marquis Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in HealthCare, etc.
Moss is the author of such books as Antioxidants Against Cancer, Cancer Therapy, Questioning Chemotherapy, and The Cancer Industry, as well as the award-winning PBS documentary The Cancer War. He also wrote the first article on alternative medicine for The Encyclopedia Britannica Yearbook and the first article on complementary cancer treatments for a medico-legal textbook, Courtroom Medicine: Cancer (Matthew Bender). He is co-editor of the first medical textbook in English on non-conventional treatments for cancer, Complementary Oncology (Thieme, 2005).
His articles and scientific communications have appeared in such journals as The Lancet, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the Journal of the American Medical Association, New Scientist, Anticancer Research, Genetic Engineering News, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, and Integrative Cancer Therapies, of which he is Corresponding Editor. For years he has written the monthly "War on Cancer" column for the Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. His op-ed "Patents Over Patients" appeared in the New York Times (4/07).
Read what some leaders in the field have said about Ralph Moss and his work.
Moss was a founding advisor to the National Institutes of Health's Office of Alternative Medicine (now the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine or NCCAM) and to the NIH Cancer Advisory Panel on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAP-CAM). He has been a member of the Advisory Editorial Board of the PDQ System of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). He is a member of the board of directors of the Cancer Prevention Coaltion and is an advisor to Breast Cancer Action, the National Brain Tumor Foundation, the Susan J. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Life Extension Foundation, the RAND Corporation and the Medline-listed journal, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. He has been an ad hoc reviewer for many scientific organizations, including the Czech Academy of Sciences and the International Journal of Cancer.
A dynamic public speaker, Moss has been an invited lecturer at many institutions, including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (Grand Rounds, Surgery, 1999), Howard University Medical School (Grand Rounds, Family Practice, 2003), the University of Arizona Medical Center (Grand Rounds, CAM, 2007), the Department of Energy, American Cancer Society, and many other universities, medical schools, and medical society meetings in the US and abroad.
Moss has a particular interest in new European developments in integrative oncology. On October 31, 1998, he was made an honorary member and scientific advisor of the German Oncology Society ("DGO"), the first American to be so honored. Since 1997 he has spoken at "Medicine Week" in Baden-Baden six times. In October, 2004 he spoke at the Seventh Pfältzer Conference on Integrative Cancer Care in Bad Bergzabern, Germany. The previous year he spoke on the chemoprevention of cancer at Santa Famiglia Hospital in Rome, Italy, and wrote a journal article on his findings from that trip.
He also speaks frequently in North America. In June, 2004 he gave the Coombs Lecture at Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Canada, and at the CAMera conference of the University of Calgary. In 2005, he gave the Todd Cancer Institute Grand Rounds Lecture at Long Beach (Calif.) Memorial Medical Center and led the History of Science Seminar at the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD.
"The Moss Reports is the best place to get information about your specific cancer and treatment choices." --Hattiesburg American, 2007.
"Moss frequently travels in search of valid alternative approaches to cancer. His knowledge, clarity, and compassion have made him "a widely respected figure in the world of alternative cancer therapies" --Irish Times, 2004.
"Ralph W, Moss, PhD has made his life's work independently investigating alternative cancer treatment and the claims made for them. He is known for solid, comprehensive, and meticulously documented reporting on the subject."--Health Naturally (Canada)

PRESS RELEASE
International College of Integrative Medicine
Press contact: Wendy Chappell, Executive Director: wendy@icimed.com

This year’s ICIM conference, held March 11-15, 2009 is titled Seeking Global Advances in Health Care ~ The most advanced integrative practices from around the world.

ICIM speaker Zannos Grekos MD will present the abstract below at the meeting.

“Six month follow up of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy patients treated with Autologous Angiogenic and Cardio-Regenerative Progenitor cells”

Objectives
The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility, safety, and clinical outcome of patients with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy treated with Autologous Angiogenic and Cardio-Regenerative Progenitor cells (ACRPC's) in a prospective fashion.

Background
Both in world scientific literature as well as our experience in greater than 300 patients there is evidence of sustained improvement in the ejection fractions of patients treated with ARPC's. Animal experiments, not only show improvement in cardiac function, but also engraftment and differentiation of ACRPC's into cardiomyocytes as well as neo-vascularization in infracted myocardium. In our human clinical experience the process has shown to be safe as well as effective.

Conclusions
This study suggests that ACRPC's can improve the ejection fraction in patients with severely reduced cardiac function with benefits sustained to six months. These patients will continue to be followed in a similar fashion to determine long term outcomes. Other secondary outcomes will also be followed including cardiac events, hospitalizations, mortality, functional class, cardiac dimensions.

Zannos G. Grekos, M.D.
Dr. Grekos is an invasive cardiologist with extensive experience and training in the field of stem cell therapy. Having collaborated with the major treatment centers in Asia, he has been active in both the development of research and treatment protocols. Dr. Grekos
actively overseas the entire treatment process and consults on patients throughout the world. He also trains physicians in the evaluation and treatment of patients receiving stem cell therapy.He was invited inFebruary 2007 to Washington DC to brief the United
States Senate Health Advisory Staff on the current state of stem cell research and therapy done around the world. Dr. Grekos has also appeared on National Public Radio, Television and has been quoted in various other media sources.

PRESS RELEASE
February 2, 2009
Elite Books / Energy Psychology Press
Santa Rosa, CA
Press contact: Jeff Anderson, jeff@authorspublishing.com

Energy Psychology Press author and researcher Dawson Church, PhD is presenting an Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) workshop and keynote address March 12, 2009 at the International College of Integrated Medicine Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
www.integrativemedicineconference.com

This years ICIM conference, held March 11-15, 2009 is titled Seeking Global Advances in Health Care ~ The most advanced integrative practices from around the world.

Dr. Church’s presentation and keynote are titled: An Introduction to “Bringing the Magic of EFT to a Clinical Practice.”
http://integrativemedicineconference.com/2009/01/an-introduction-to-bringing-the-magic-of-eft-to-a-clinical-practice-featuring-dawson-church/.

In this workshop, presenter Dawson Church PhD demonstrates methods from the field of Energy Psychology and Energy Medicine that can result in quick resolution of emotional issues. A number of scientific studies have now shown that the primary Energy Psychology method, called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), is effective for phobias, depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This workshop demonstrates the basics of EFT, and how clinicians can apply it for self-care as well as in a busy practice.

Dr. Church's Curriculum Vitae can be viewed at: http://dawsonchurch.com/images/ScienceBio.pdf

For additional information please contact:
Wendy Chappell - Executive Director
International College of Integrative Medicine
ph. 419-358-0273
fax 610-680-3847
wendy@icimed.com

Jeff Anderson / jeff@authorspublishing.com
Elite Books / Energy Psychology Press
www.EliteBooks.biz / EnergyPsychologyPress.com

PRESS RELEASE
International College of Integrative Medicine
Press contact: Wendy Chappell, Executive Director: wendy@icimed.com

This year’s ICIM conference, held March 11-15, 2009 is titled Seeking Global Advances in Health Care ~ The most advanced integrative practices from around the world. For detailed speaker bios, schedules, learning objectives, location information, and registration, see www.integrativemedicineconference.com.
Seeking Global Advances in Healthcare
We invite you to open yourself to a new world of science and opportunity in healing… “Seeking Global Advances in Healthcare” is the conference that will introduce the medicine of the future today.
International Expertise
Across the globe, new frontiers of medicine are being explored through everything from Stem Cells to the mind-body connection. At “Seeking Global Advances in Medicine” we will provide an overview of breakthroughs that are already available to us. Join us for *CME certified lectures with outstanding speakers from Europe, United Kingdom, South America, Ukraine, Greece, and Asia.
Breakthroughs in Cancer Care
Cancer is one of the most pressing health crises we face, and our program highlights integrative options. “The Theoretical Basis for Integrative Cancer Care” lead-in workshop, co-sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, will provide new techniques and research so you can give the best care to your patients regarding cancer survival and prevention.
Business Management
In this troubled economy, business concerns are at the forefront of our minds. “Seeking Global Advances in Healthcare” will address this with multiple sessions on business development in this new economic reality. We know that you can’t help patients if your business model is unhealthy.
Healing at a Deeper Level
It is essential to address healing on a spiritual/emotional level. Dawson Church, PhD will offer a lead-in workshop on the fast and effective Emotional Freedom Technique to address the wounds of the heart and spirit.
*CMEs have been applied for, but not yet been granted