Acupuncture is often used for the relief of the side effects caused by traditional cancer treatments. This group of diseases is characterized by cells reproducing abnormally in a way that eventually damages or kills healthy tissue. Depending on the stage of cancer and when it is caught, traditional treatments vary and can range from surgery to radiation therapy. These treatments often come with difficult side effects, and while often effective at removing the cause of the disease, put a strain on the patient’s body and overall health. By accompanying your regular cancer treatment with acupuncture treatments, patients are able to reduce the side effects of treatment as well as increase the body’s overall health during its fight with this unpleasant disease.
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment, focusing on treating the entire body’s health. Practitioners treat more than just your symptoms, taking into account your lifestyle, emotional state, and overall health. This allows you to get the most out of conventional treatments while reducing the side effects that come from the battle against cancer. This is done through strengthening what is already correct inside your body with the use of acupuncture and an herbal regimen, a principal in Traditional Chinese Medicine referred to as Fu Zheng Gu Ben. This treatment removes toxins that may contribute to the disease as well as increasing the flow of blood and energy, or Qi (pronounced “chee”), throughout the body.
Acupuncture combined with cancer treatment is effective at removing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and post surgical pain in patients, while also reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Massages, acupressure, nutritional counseling, and an exercise program may also be recommended to help improve a patient’s balance and overall health, giving them the best chance to overcome their disease and improving a patient’s quality of life during their battle with cancer.
Remember to always communicate with your health care providers about any treatments you undergo and medications you take in order to avoid any drug interactions.