Integrative Japanese Acupuncture and Oncology
Today if you do a survey of all the major cancer treatment centers you will find they all have integrated acupuncture into their protocols for cancer patients. This is not by accident.
The use of acupuncture has been proven to be effective for reducing the the side effects of cancer treatment: weight loss, cough, depression, speech and swallowing problems, nausea, vomiting, xerostomia (i.e. sores and dryness of the mouth), polyneuropathy, pain, and fluid accumulation in the arms and legs.
Integrative Japanese Acupuncture considers cancer as an imbalance of the energies in the entire system. The system that is most effected and unbalanced is usually the immune system and its energy. The treatment strategy is to return balance and strength to the entire energy grid of the body. Pulse diagnosis is utilized to determine which meridians to treat. Usually the patient receives weekly treatments to control the side effects and also to rebuild the body’s immune response and Ki.
The Wellness Center also uses herbal formulas and nutritional supplements to further help the cancer patients to not only recover but also to rebuild their health and prevent further tumor formation.
“University of California researchers have found that Chinese herbs used with cancer patients “reduce the tumor load; prevent recurrence or formation of a new primary cancer; bolster the immune system; enhance the regulatory function of the endocrine system; protect the structure and function of internal organs and glands; strengthen the digestive system by improving absorption and metabolism; protect bone marrow and hematopoietic function; and prevent, control, and treat adverse side-effects caused by conventional treatments for cancer.” Tagliaferri M. et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in early stage breast cancer. Seminars in Oncology, Vol 28, No 1(Feb), 2001:127.
Polyneuropathy occurs in chemo patients because the chemo starts killing the nerve endings. The Integrative Japanese Acupuncture and Wellness Center has developed a protocol using micro-stimulation and acupuncture. This protocol is highly effective in preventing neuropathy during chemo treatments. It can also help restore nerves that have been damaged by chemo.
Of course one of the most important parts in the treatment of cancer and the side effects of cancer treatments is diet. It can’t be emphasized enough. The patient is coached throughout their chemo so they get proper nutrition and avoid foods, like sugar, that can actually help the cancer cells grow.
- Society For Integrative Oncology. www.integrativeonc.org/complementary-therapies-and-cancer-care
- Cancer & Chemotherapy Reviews Integrative Oncology: Complementary Therapies in Cancer Care Barrie Cassileth; Marjet Heitzer; Jyothirmai Gubili Authors and Disclosures. Published: 02/12/2009.