CAM to Regulate the Heart and Circulatory System

Dr Jakub S. Malinowski Knowler, a former cardiovascular surgeon advocates the benefits of CAM to regulate the heart and circulatory system.

It is no secret that the heart is intrinsically linked with the circulatory system and is one of the main organs controlling our body. Therefore, it remains at the centre of all physiological processes and as such, it is involved in every disorder in our body, be it mild, a local one, or a systemic one engaging other parts of the body.

Although these facts are well known, in many instances, the workings of the heart and circulatory system is not always transparent and often mystifies even the medical profession. For example, the base of the aortic heart valves, the sinuses of Valsalva can develop difficulty in coping with the heart hemodynamics, however, it’s not always exactly clear why fragile tissue becomes affected by pathological processes, necessitating surgical replacement which affects the heart directly, but also reflects on the whole organism. Although cardiosurgeons know of these changes and have an understanding of them, they are unable to explain their aetiology. In the walls of blood vessels there are some places where the tissue is extraordinarily prone to damage while in others it is not. These “weak” parts are affected by delamination and blood penetration under pressure, resulting in an aneurysm, that can result in a haemorrhage, varices and/or thrombus. Why exactly it happens is still a subject for speculation.

Complementary medicine today seems to be going through a worldwide renaissance and is part of a regular curriculum at most medical schools. Groundless statements by its critics try to discourage people from all the advantages, by claiming that the effects are merely those of a placebo. Some even compare complementary medicine with charlatanry. There is, however, no doubt that when complementary treatments are being applied appropriately, there is an alleviation of symptoms, they aid the healing process and assist the maintenance of long term health.

Along with conventional medicine, complementary treatments prove to be highly effective. The same applies to its role in cardiovascular impairments.

Complementary medicine’s division of diseases differs slightly from that of conventional medicine, as it has a holistic approach: it covers main problems and overlaps wider aspects, starting with prevention, dealing with co-existing problems and looking after a patient’s lifestyle.

CAM encompasses an individual life from the earliest foetal stage through childhood, youth, maturity and finally, advanced years. This approach goes hand in hand with conventional health care and supports it by providing effective conditions for healing and recuperation.

Complementary medicine encompasses a wide range of treatments for cardiac and vascular impairments. Some of the treatments are not necessary limited to these problems alone. As they are suitable for more than one disease, they work on the patient less selectively, but grant him the holistic benefits. For cardiac and vascular diseases, I recommend climate-therapy, hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, irradiation or close contact: electro/magnetic stimulation, acupuncture/pressure, compresses, dressings, sprays and different combinations of these treatments, together with various forms of massage. Using thermotherapy by external or internal administration, the applied medication reaches the affected areas quicker and acts synergistically on the body.

The most important factor is that every treatment has to be appropriately chosen and carried out by a qualified practitioner. The second crucial point is, that the treatment must be applied in the correct way, at a suitable time and place and with the supervision of a doctor or nurse.

In cardiovascular ailments this is particularly important, so that the patient will be treated in the most appropriate way and will be protected from any possible adverse side effects.

Regarding circulation, it must be emphasised that every treatment has to be adjusted to the factual individual situation at the time of treatment. The therapist has to be certain that the treatment being administered will not aggravate the problem, that it is safe so that a positive outcome can be expected. Some negative factors might be spread around the body through the blood stream and thus is not any easy job. It requires theoretical and practical knowledge. For instance, in the case of an avarice(s) of a blood-vessel: it requires detailed examination, the correct diagnosis, and the adequate treatment. Otherwise, at worst, the patient can be put at risk of losing a limb! The cause of disease changes and the range of these changes may often be invisible from the outside. Only by getting the most detailed medical history, examination and analysis is the practitioner able to determine every aspect of the disorder. Some varices are asymptomatic, even partially hidden from the patient’s sight.

As the practitioner is responsible for the safety and success of his treatment, he must bear in mind that one of the fatal factors in this case, is the inflammation of tissues of the blood vessel and/or its surrounding area. It can be aseptic or septic, deep or superficial, in its early or advanced stage. This can be caused by a blockage inside the vessel, or constriction from the outside. The origin can be the primary cause, due to a local injury, or systematic because of coagulative blood problems. It can become a side effect of a former treatment/ medication, or induced by a bacterial/viral/fungal infection, even after a venomous bite or animal sting or thorn of a poisonous plant. Moreover, if the damage is close to the main blood stream of limited lymphatic nodes and close to the centre of the torso or the head, any inappropriate action, be it by a paramedic, doctor or nurse, can be fatal.

Is complementary medicine able to help in such cases?

Absolutely! At every stage of the varice(s) there are relevant complementary treatments which correlate with conventional medicine. From elimination of inflammation and alleviation of pain, reduction of swelling and softening of hardened tissue, to prevention of reoccurring haemorrhage. Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, thermal therapy, external and internal treatments with relevant remedies, together with the monitored progress of healing and continuous medical examinations, will result in successful outcomes of treatment.

It is surprising how often people carelessly expose bare limbs to the cold and damp. When the first symptoms became visible, some vessels are already at risk. Lifestyle choices can have a huge impact. Sedentary lifestyles, tight clothing, an unhealthy diet, along with smoking, make some individuals extremely susceptible to varicose veins for instance. Additionally, if both parents have the varices’ problems, children may inherit these conditions. Some people are affected by internal varices which are totally invisible from outside. Haemorrhoids are one of the most frequent internal vascular problems today. They should never be ignored. Again, in this case, complementary treatments can prevent and help to heal this disorder.

In the majority of cases, if a heart attack happens, the medical staff rush to check that it is not an infarct. When infarct is excluded, the patient is not given the regular check-ups, just advised to cut down smoking, or, if applicable, limit alcohol, limit fatty foods and carbohydrates and increase physical activity, to relax more and avoid stress, and that is about the extent of help. More necessary help, however, can be offered by the complementary medicine specialist.

Let us start with a fundamental rule: prevention is better than cure! When we are still healthy let’s avoid the factors which damage the heart. From childhood - excess of sweets, chocolate, stimulative drinks like Coca-Cola, excessive food intake resulting in early excess weight; Teenagers - starting to smoke or taking drugs! Intake of alcohol in an excessive manner, eating excessive amounts of unhealthy food. When we feel sick and ill, let’s quickly seek medical help because protracted illness can cause much more damage in our body. Once given medication, take it as advised by the doctor, especially in the case of antibiotics. These require absolute rigour of administration, otherwise not only will the infection not be eradicated from the body, but the organism will be deprived of the natural microbes’ resistance and the antibiotic will not be effective next time.

In the case of cardiovascular infections, bacterial venom attacks the tissue resulting in the rheumatic heart disease which damages the heart and also affects the kidneys and the joints. This can result in serious complications which will profoundly affect the patients’ life!

The heart responds to all changes in the surrounding conditions: when in a very cold or very hot environment for instance, its function will adjust itself to the bodys’ demands for the blood. When exposed for a period of time to extreme temperatures, the heart can faint and, the consequence will be a heat/cold stroke. When a small child is being exposed to excessively high temperatures, their heart will be forced to work faster and stronger. If the time of the exposure is also over the limit e.g. when a child from lowlands is taken to the high mountains, more than 2.500m/8000 feet, even being carried by the parents, the heart is pushed to its limit. Because its muscle grows comparatively fast, its left ventricle becomes over-grown with all negative consequences. Playing with a baby by spinning it in the air, or swinging it high above, is also very risky! A baby’s heart will not withstand it and some of their heart parts could be easy damaged, permanently!

Following the general ageing processes, the heart also has to adjust itself to the advancing conditions. When an individual starts to train in a gym carelessly, without supervision by a professional, he/she can easily damage the heart by over-doing the strain put onto the heart and circulatory system. Consequences of that can be tragic!

Atherosclerosis is another very serious issue not only for the elderly. Watching for any initial symptoms of this disorder is extremely important. Almost every congenital cardiovascular disorder can be solved just after birth, yet the majority of future diseases begin from very mild symptoms and develop over a period of time, almost invisibly. And that is the main cause of the complications that follow. Sadly, not taking notice of the changes, is the main reason for fatal outcomes in almost every population in the world today.

If a palpitation affects an individual, he should ask for a consultation. Early stages of a weakened heart may give such symptoms. Administration of suitable remedies along with massaging the whole body for over an hour at a time will alleviate it. Massage relaxes the whole body including the heart, so that its beat becomes steadier and more regular. Blood pressure will normalise too. An aroma-therapeutic body massage with appropriate herbal essential oil(s) will help to restore the body’s equilibrium.

Swimming is also strongly recommended, as well as every normal physical activity, like energetic walking, cycling, sports and even gardening. If spasms or cramps are troublesome, remedies rich in magnesium with ascorbic acid and other vasoprotective specifics should alleviate them. Finally, a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals/micro-elements should be adhered to.

In conclusion, complementary medicine has much in common with general conventional medicine and combining both together at every stage, will be most effective. Every complementary treatment must be carefully considered, well prepared and performed to deliver the best results. Advice from an experienced professional complementary medicine consultant/practitioner is paramount. Equally important is consulting with your GP prior to receiving any complementary treatments in order to ascertain any possible treatment clashes. Many doctors and nurses today, support the use of complementary therapies and many more recommend their use, however, not all are of the same opinion but hopefully this will change in future years.

About the Author

Jakub S. Malinowski Knowler MD PhD MSc studied conventional medicine and graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1983. He then obtained his MD, PhD in Clinical Immunology in 1984. He also has a Masters degree in Biology, MSc. Between 1988 and 2006 Dr. Knowler worked in a Cardio-vascular clinic, taking part in heart and heart valve replacement surgery. Over the years he became more and more interested in complementary medicine and subsequently decided to qualify in this field and has been practicing CAM for almost a decade.

For further information or to contact the author for advice please visit www.drmalinowskiknowler.co.uk.

Article originally published in the CThA membership magazine Embody, spring 2016 issue. www.ctha.com