10 half-hour programs available SOON through Recorded Books
Program #1 "Confronting Cancer…An Integrated Approach"
This is a moving portrait of a 30 year-old woman who has battled progressive
breast cancer for the past 6 years. Melissa Brown is an intelligent and
focused young woman. What makes her story unique is that from the initial
diagnosis onward she has embraced a fully integrated approach to the
treatment of her disease. She has received the best possible conventional
care at major cancer centers such as Sloan-Kettering, Dana Farber and
UCSF. But in addition to this she has fully researched and explored
alternative therapies and with the full support of her oncologist she uses
energy healing, acupuncture and Tibetan herbs. This is a story of courage,
determination and grace.
Program #2 "An Ounce of Prevention…Am I At Risk"
We are in the midst of incredible advances in genetic research that may
permit us to identify the genetic causes of disease and identify who may be at
risk for various diseases. We visit the Genome Project at the NIH and explore
the status of genetic mapping. There are strong advocates of a nutritional
approach to disease prevention. We visit Dr. Dean Ornish and examine his
approach of the impact of diet and lifestyle on prevention and even reversal
of heart disease. We also visit scientists at Berkeley and explore the myths
and realties of environmental causes of disease.
Program #3 "The Healing Attitude…The Empowered Patient"
How much impact does a positive attitude play in both dealing with and
treatment of illness? We explore this issue through the eyes of several
patients. Also, the doctor patient relationship is undergoing some changes.
Patients now have access to more information and are aware of more
treatment choices than in the past. The “empowered patient” is becoming
more of a reality and some doctors feel that this is a good thing.
Program #4 "In Search of the Fountain of Youth…Can We Stop the
Aging Process?"
Scientists are now paying greater attention to the principal factors that impact
the aging process. There is promising research currently underway in the
area of the genetic basis of the rate of aging. There are also studies focusing
on the relationship of diet and lifestyle on the aging process. Can we extend
the average life-span? In addition can we improve the quality of life in later
years by reducing the susceptibility on onset of diseases that come with old
age? If we make strides in prolonging the life of the body, what
about the vitality of the brain and mental function? We examine some
fascinating research aimed at keeping the brain smarter for a longer period of
time. Also if we can extend the life of internal organ, what about the exterior
appearance?
Program # 5 "Tell Me Here It Hurts…A New Way To Look At Ordinary
Aches & Pains"
Admittedly, traditional doctors have not always been effective in
understanding and treatment of pain. Advances are being made in
understanding the causes of chronic pain. Some doctors believe strongly that
the new pain treatment model should include an integration of conventional
and alternative treatment. 50 million Americans suffer from some type of
chronic pain. Hospitals now recognize the importance of treating pain, and
separate Pain Centers and Clinics are being established across the nation.
We examine the treatment of patients with various types of chronic pain
including headache and arthritis pain and what can be done to relieve the
suffering.
Program # 6 "The Treatment of Acute Pain?"
Doctors are now exploring other avenues beyond drugs to deal with acute
pain. Researchers and Pain Centers are incorporating and evaluating
alternative approaches to acute pain suffered by patients with debilitating
illnesses like patients with AIDS. Can alternative therapies be used in
conjunction with conventional drug treatments to reduce the dependency on
potentially toxic drugs and their side effects? We visit several patients
suffering from acute pain, including severe failed back pain and examine the
research underway to deal with this problem.
Program # 7 "Nature’s Pharmacy… Herbal Medicines"
The use of herbs to improve health and well-being is definitely on the rise.
We examine the origins of herbal medicine that originated in China thousands
of years ago. We look at how these herbs are located and produced. We
examine the potential dangers of using herbal medicine in conjunction with
conventional drugs. Also there is the question of determining the potency of
the active ingredients in herbs in an industry that is essentially unregulated.
We visit scientist at the NIH who are involved in the research of natural
products.
Program # 8 "You Are What You Eat…Or Are You?"
There are a myriad of diets and nutritional regimens that claim to be effective
in the prevention and possibly the treatment of illness. We examine several
controversial approaches to diet and
nutrition. Advocates of the Macrobiotics diet claim that the diet and lifestyle
approach they adopt can prevent and/or cure serious illnesses. We explore
the Macrobiotic approach and interview
patients who have successfully used the diet to treat illness. We visit the
Gene Mayer Center at Tufts University, perhaps the leading nutritional
research institution in the nation and explore the research on nutrition and
health.
Program #9 "Understanding the Mind/Body Connection"
Fascinating current research underscores the enormous role and connection
of the mind in enhancing the body’s ability to heal itself or at least, improve its
condition, to some greater extent than ever before thought possible. Dr.
Howard Torman interviews Dr. Herbert Benson, author of the Relaxation
Response, Dr. Robert Fried of biofeedback fame, Dr. Kenneth Pelletier,
author of The Best of Alternative Medicine for a clearer understanding of the
mind's impact on health and illness. In keeping with Health Choices’ vision,
patients and families talk about their illnesses and preferred method of
treatment.
Program #10 "Spiritual Healing"
Can one’s faith or beliefs have an impact on illness? This is the theme of our
third program, during which Dr. Torman speaks with Dr. Deepak Chopra
(Indian spirituality expert), Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madronna (psychiatrist of Native
American heritage and knowledge), Dr. Kenneth Pelletier (author of The Best
of Alternative Medicine) and country music star, Naomi Judd. The current
state of research in spirituality and healing is one of the issues reviewed in
this program.
