Integrated medicine, inspired by Lao Tzu, offers new life to cancer patients

At Banpo Jeil Korean Medicine Clinic in Seoul, Director Lee Byung-jin offers a unique approach to cancer recovery through integrated medicine. The clinic, which dedicates 30% of its practice to cancer patients, combines traditional Korean medicine with scientifically validated therapies tailored to each individual.

Lee believes that a patient's belief in their treatment and medical team is crucial for success. He spends considerable time explaining treatment blueprints, complete with specific metrics and figures, to build patient trust. "Patients who are doing well understand and participate in my treatment blueprint," Lee stated. "They have the will to understand their bodies and become the agents of their recovery. Conversely, if they see treatment as something done for them, it's hard to get good results."

The clinic utilizes a range of treatments, including herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, high-pressure oxygen therapy, and aromatherapy. Lee also employs acupuncture, which he sees as a 'master key' to unlocking patient trust. He explains that blockages in the flow of vital energy, or 'energy blocks,' are common in cancer patients. By palpating the abdomen, Lee identifies these points of discomfort and applies acupuncture, which he says reduces or eliminates these blockages, sowing seeds of trust.

Patients have reported significant improvements. A woman in her 60s with recurrent breast cancer that had spread to her lungs found her blood test markers improving and CT scans showing positive changes after discontinuing conventional treatment due to severe side effects. An Auschwitz survivor, Jerry Wurtz, traveled from New York for bladder cancer treatment and regained his ability to play table tennis. A Nigerian worker suffering from severe indigestion and leaky gut syndrome also experienced significant relief through herbal medicine and acupuncture.

Lee's philosophy is rooted in Taoist principles, particularly Lao Tzu's concept of 'nature being as it is.' This led him to Korean medicine, where he found a path to practice this philosophy. He also noted the potential for regeneration after treating patients with liver cirrhosis, observing improvements in liver function and tissue that challenged conventional understanding. To address the emotional aspects of healing, Lee uses aromatherapy, identifying and applying specific scents to release repressed emotions by stimulating the brain's limbic system.

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Patients who are doing well understand and participate in my treatment blueprint. They have the will to understand their bodies and become the agents of their recovery. Conversely, if they see treatment as something done for them, it's hard to get good results.