Acupuncture and Cancer Support

Acupuncture and Cancer Support in South FloridaAcupuncture’s use as an alternative cancer treatment has been recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for the treatment of cancer and treatment-related symptoms. Pain, nausea, breathlessness, vasomotor symptoms and limb edema have all been found to respond to acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer or are currently getting treatment for cancer, you should consider acupuncture as an alternative cancer treatment for cancer pain and post-operative and chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. We have helped many of our patients on their journey back to health and we are confident that we can help you too. Please call us today at 954-586-CARE to schedule your free consultation.

Our beautiful wellness center is centrally located between the cities of Margate, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Tamarac and Parkland. Our skilled doctors of Chinese Medicine have helped many of our clinic’s patients with cancer support treatment using acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Learn more about Chinese herbs and cancer support.

“Acupuncture has helped me over the years immensely. From pain relief from tendinitis, to weight loss to most recently support from the side effects of chemotherapy. My other Dr.’s were impressed with how less my side effects were and how my body was able to tolerate chemo. I will continue acupunture treatments to boost my metabolism and keep my immune system up and running. The Acupuncturists at Care Wellness are very caring and knowledgeable.”  ~ Valerie O.

Here are some of the ways Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help with cancer support:

    1. ACUPUNCTURE CAN BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Acupuncture, as an holistic cancer treatment, can also act against carcinogens (factors attributable to cancer development) through its ability to reduce stress and enhance immune function. Today, several cancer centers have begun incorporating acupuncture for treating cancer-related symptoms such as pain and many patients have had significant results in the reduction of their symptoms.

For conditions where the cancer is detected early, acupuncture can maintain and promote the normal functioning of the body. Several studies have shown its ability to boost the immune system and encourage the growth of healthy functioning cells. This could be important for counteracting the result of radiation and chemotherapy that tend to attack both normal and abnormal cells. An additional benefit of acupuncture as an holistic cancer treatment is that it can induce a state of deep calm and relaxation and alleviate physical and emotional tensions.

    2. ACUPUNCTURE CAN SPEED RECOVERY TIME

In cases where a tumour has formed, acupuncture can be used pre- and post-operatively where appropriate as an adjuvant therapy to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. According to a study done by Poulain (1997) on 250 patients who underwent gynecological surgery for cancer, acupuncture was shown to speed recovery time. A recent study done by Aldridge (2001) on a series of 40 breast cancer patients, found that acupuncture could reduce nausea and vomiting following surgery and significantly reduce post-operative pain.

For advanced stages of cancer, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with other forms of palliative care to significantly reduce the sensation of pain. In some cases, patients may be able to reduce the dosage of pain medication substantially and thereby avoid the harsh side effects that are often associated with them.

   3. ACUPUNCTURE CAN REDUCE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

For many people undergoing chemotherapy, the dreaded side effect of nausea and vomiting is more sickening than the chemotherapy itself. A study conducted at the University of Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine found significant reduction of nausea and vomiting when the patients were treated with acupuncture before undergoing chemotherapy.

The American Cancer Society reports that acupuncture is now routinely administered before, after and in between chemotherapy treatment sessions for control of nausea and emesis. Use of acupuncture helps in minimizing the use of standard, expensive multi-drug anti-nausea regimens with their attendant side effects for chemotherapy patients. Another clinical trial found that acupuncture was effective in reducing the number of hot flashes experienced by men after prostate cancer hormonal therapy.

    4. ACUPUNCTURE CAN REDUCE PAIN

Acupuncture is useful in managing cancer related pain. The use of acupuncture can reduce the need for narcotic drugs. This also means that acupuncture will minimize the side effects such as confusion, disturbed mentation, behavioral changes, nausea and severe constipation, the normal result of taking narcotics.

Acupuncture is often used as an adjunctive therapy in anesthesia, in post-operative pain control, and in aiding and hastening recovery from the side effects of the various therapies. Acupuncture is effective for control of pain, of local swelling post-operatively, for shortening the resolution of hematoma and tissue swelling and for minimizing use of medications and their attendant side effects.

    5. ACUPUNCTURE AND INCREASED ENERGY IN CANCER TREATMENT

Chronic disease process depletes the energy level in the organism. Acupuncture replenishes energy levels to the body and the diseased organs or part of the body. It also reestablishes homeostasis by re-balancing energy distribution and unblocking energy flow.

The acupuncture can provide a more durable, successful pain control and provide a sense of well being and increased energy to cancer sufferers, decreasing the malaise associated with any chronic disease. Read more about Acupuncture, TCM and Cancer Care

Call us at 954-586-2273 for a Free Consultation with one of our physicians and learn how Chinese Medicine can help you.