Acupuncture a Powerful Complementary Therapy for Cancer Patients
The 21st Century has been accompanied by great strides in cancer treatment for patients of many different malignancies.
Among the many reasons for this progress is the growing popularity of what is known as “integrative” oncology. Integrative oncology is a more comprehensive cancer treatment model that utilizes not only traditional therapies like surgery and chemotherapy, but also alternative therapies to enhance the effectiveness of traditional treatments. One of the more popular therapies used in conjunction with traditional treatments is acupuncture.
Acupuncture, originating in the Far East, has long been known for its relaxation and pain-relief benefits, but was not fully implemented or recommended within cancer treatment regimens until more recently.
How Does Acupuncture Benefit Cancer Patients?
One must understand the principles integrative oncology to appreciate how acupuncture’s benefit to those undergoing cancer treatment. Alternative therapies, like acupuncture, are not designed to fight the cancer as a sole method of treatment.
Rather, these therapies are used in conjunction with traditional treatments in an effort to lessen uncomfortable symptoms of traditional treatments like those brought on by chemotherapy and radiation. Symptoms of the cancer itself often pale in comparison to the extreme symptoms brought on by toxic chemotherapy regimens. The success and effectiveness of these traditional therapies often depend on the patient being able to endure these symptoms, making any treatment which can reduce these symptoms extremely valuable in the bigger picture.
Acupuncture has been proven effective in conjunction with traditional therapies because it has the ability to reduce symptoms onset by traditional therapies. Weight loss, fatigue, pain, nausea, and general illness are common in patients undergoing treatment for many different cancers are predominantly the unfortunate side effects of traditional cancer treatments. Acupuncture has, to varying degrees, been shown to alleviate each of these symptoms in patients undergoing treatment, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these treatments as patients are able to endure symptoms and maintain health throughout the high doses of chemotherapy and radiation necessary to reduce the cancer volume in the body.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer known only to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients of malignant mesothelioma are often precluded from surgical resection as a curative therapy and therefore rely heavily upon chemotherapy and radiation to reduce tumor mass. Acupuncture has been shown to be an extremely valuable therapy for mesothelioma patients, reducing the symptoms of these traditional therapies which require extremely high-toxicity doses of both radiation and different mesothelioma chemotherapy agents to fight the aggressive cancer.
Acupuncture has been shown so effective in integrative oncology treatment regimens that both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have formally recognized the value of complementary acupuncture in comprehensive cancer treatment programs.
While certainly acupuncture could benefit many cancer patients, it may not be appropriate for all those undergoing cancer treatment. Specifically, those with a history of endocarditis, thrombocytopenia, or neutropenia should avoid acupuncture. Patients who use an existing pacemaker or those with lymphedema should consult with their oncologist before commencing any acupuncture regimen or other complementary therapy.
Jack Bleeker
Director of Content Development/Outreach Coordination
Sources
The National Cancer Institute: A Pilot Study of Cancer-Related Fatigue
The National Institute of Health: Acupuncture Within Integrative Oncology Methodology
World Health Organization: Acupuncture Research in Cancer Treatment
Ready to Quit Smoking? Think About Acupuncture
A few years ago, I was walking with a friend around one of the city lakes that has made Minneapolis famous. My friend was from out of town and during our walk, he lit up a cigarette. We kept walking and talking, but very shortly after lighting up, my friend put out his cigarette because he was getting dirty looks from a number of people we were passing.
While I was sorry that my friend was uncomfortable, I was also glad in a way. I was glad that I live in a place where smoking is becoming unacceptable in many places. I was also glad because shortly after my friend went home, he quit smoking.
This was no easy task, because he had been smoking for over thirty years, but he did it, and is still smoke-free today.
As an acupuncturist, I have helped a number of people successfully quit smoking. I have found that those people who have been successful have a few things in common, which I believe have contributed to their success.
-Every person that I have helped quit smoking realized that tobacco was detrimental to their health was ready to quit.
-They realize that there is no magic bullet. While acupuncture helps with the frequency and intensity of cravings, they realize that quitting is up to them.
-They generally cut down from smoking a pack or even two a day, to a few necessary cigarettes each day. Necessary cigarettes are those that are smoked out of habit, such as smoking with your first cup of coffee, or on the drive home from work. Generally, before they quit, they are down to five or six cigarettes a day.
-They have a definite quit date. This gives them a psychological edge in preparing to quit.
-They have used acupuncture most frequently in the first week or two after they have quit smoking. After the first few weeks, they have used acupuncture infrequently, and only as needed.
-Each person I have worked with has commented that getting tobacco out of their life was actually easier than they thought it would be. Few gained weight, and most felt better than they thought possible.
If you are a smoker, quitting is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. Acupuncture can help—do it today! Please call Cathy Di Maggio L. Ac. at 598 -9200
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Arthritis treated with Acupuncture
Recently many of my patients have asked me about arthritis, so I have written a short page.
Arthritis is called Bi syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
There are several types in TCM; the main syndromes are Wind, Cold, Damp, & Heat. There is also skin bi, muscle bi, tendon bi, vessel bi & bone bi which are mostly local & functional ie. lifting, extension & flexion.
- Wind bi is characterized by wandering of the pain mostly in wrists, elbows, knees & ankles. Limited movement, fever & chills are common as your body fights the wind.
- Cold bi has severe pain & may you have cold joints. This pain is fixed & stabbing; alleviated by warmth with no redness.
- Damp bi has more soreness, numbness & heaviness of the joints. Aggravated with damp rainy days and is also fixed in location.
- Heat bi is hot and has a sudden onset. This bi can be in one or several joints with local redness, swelling is responsible for limited movement; the pain can be excruciating.
Fever and thirst also accompany the heat.
Bi is caused by blockage of qi & blood in the meridians & collaterals. Energy is not moving through the passageways correctly. If your body is weakened by sickness or old age; you are more susceptible to an attack from these pathogenic factors - wind, cold, damp or heat.
Bi syndromes can be worsen by where you live, weather and your general health. People in Seattle are more likely to have damp bi.
How do we treat this with Chinese Medicine? A combination of acupuncture, moxibustion & herbs is the usual treatment. This very effective; as seen in older Chinese people that are as spry as a 5 year old.
If you have any questions about arthritis pain or any other pain,
please call me at (719) 598 - 9200.
- Cathy Di Maggio M.S. TCM More Acupuncture Articles >>
