AANP 2009 Convention: Abstract submission

1a.Leslie Korn
b.Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH, RPP, LMHC
c.1001 Cooper Pt Rd Ste 140-214 Olympia WA 98502
d.360-790-2591
e.253-276-0084
f. lekorn@cwis.org

2. Oral Presentation: 60 minutes

3.Traditional Healing and Natural Medicine for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
in Pacific Northwest American Indians.

4. A comprehensive clinical and community model of traditional healing and natural medicine practice
with Pacific Northwest Indians and tribal communities is presented. Culinary pedagogy, metabolic typing,
indigenous foods and preparation practices, medicinal plants, energy medicine, manual therapies,
intensive nutritional supplementation, exercise, hydrotherapy, detoxification and community action are
elaborated.

a. Following this presentation, attendees will be able to:

Identify the putative role of historical trauma and depression in diabetes.
Identify culturally-based methods for treatment of diabetes in Pacific Northwest Indians
Describe the concept of culinary pedagogy for use in community empowerment.
Describe Pacific Northwest Indian traditional healing practices for the prevention and treatment of
diabetes.
Describe principles and protocols that incorporate indigenous foods, metabolic typing, indigenous foods
and food practices, medicinal plants, energy medicine, intensive nutritional supplementation, exercise,
hydrotherapy, detoxification and community action.

b. Prevention and treatment of diabetes type 2 among American Indians must respond to individual,
family, community and tribal needs, on and off reservations. Over the last 15 years a coalition of
clinicians, traditional healers, Indian tribes, research organizations and educational institutions have been
working to revitalize traditional food and medicine practices in the Pacific Northwest and integrate them
with Naturopathic and CAM methods with a special emphasis on the prevention and treatment of
diabetes. A bi-directional model of collaborative practice at the individual and community level is
described in which tribal information informs natural medicine practice and in which the natural medicine
community informs tribal practices. The concept of “culinary pedagogy” as a vehicle of health and
community empowerment is described. A comprehensive model of treatment that addresses the role of
psychobiological effects of historical and intergenerational trauma, and depression in diabetes is
described along with methods to address the sequelae of diabetes. Indigenous Pacific Northwest culture,
Metabolic typing and biochemical individuality is a key component that informs prevention and treatment
planning. Natural prevention and treatment methods and their foundations in both indigenous and
biomedical science are presented. These modalities include: the restoration of indigenous foods and
practices, community feasting, medicinal plants, energy medicine, intensive nutritional supplementation,
exercise, hydrotherapy, detoxification and community action is elaborated. While many methods and
substances are location and culture-specific, many principles and methods are applicable to other Native
and non-native peoples alike. Specific protocols and cases are presented along with methods for
supporting compliance.

c. Pharmacy discussion (limited) of specific products, will be discussed.

d. This presentation is open to everyone

6. Dr. Leslie Korn is the director of Health Alternatives, LLC and director of research at the Center for
World Indigenous Studies. She founded a natural medicine center in 1977, in rural indigenous Mexico,
which she directed for 25 years. She has a PhD in Behavioral Medicine from the Union Institute, a MPH
from the Harvard School of Public Health and a MA in Health Psychology from Lesley University. She
was Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School, and completed internships in Pain, at Boston University
Medical School and Trauma, at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She is a Polarity Practitioner, and
Nationally Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She was clinical instructor, Harvard
Medical School, clinical director, New England School of Acupuncture, Associate Professor, California
Institute of Integral Studies, preceptor, Bastyr University and instructor at NCNM. She recently
completed an NIH study on Polarity therapy for American Indian dementia caregivers.