This article was originally presented as a power point presentation at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. The original presentation is available as a PDF here.
Chinese Medicine
- An ancient system of medicine arising from the ancient Chinese worldview
- Texts dating back 2,500 years with reference to origins thousands of years prior
- Practiced continuously without interruption for at least 2,500 years
- Chinese medicine is a mature, complex, scholarly and complete system of medicine
Therapeutic Modalities of Chinese Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Herbal Medicine
- Dietary Therapy
- Massage (tuina)
- Meditation
- QiGong (exercise)
Outlook of Chinese Medicine
- Chinese medicine has its own unique, complex system of evaluation, diagnosis and treatment
- All therapies are administered according to this paradigm
- Treatment is inherently consistent within Chinese medicine, with all therapies working toward the same goals
Classical Chinese Medicine
- Classical Chinese medicine refers to the entire system as laid out in foundational texts from the past two millennia
- There are other modern styles of Chinese medicine that are practiced both in China and in the West
- The difference is the view and the orientation
- Chinese medicine works best when practiced as Chinese medicine
Diagnosis and Treatment in Chinese Medicine
- Diagnosis and determination of treatment in Chinese medicine is based on classical methods
- Questioning and history
- Pulse and tongue diagnosis
- Physical observation and examination
Chinese Medicine for Cancer
- This presentation is focused on acupuncture, but the basic principles apply to all modalities
- Chinese medicine always considers and treats both the underlying cause of disease (root) and its symptomatic manifestations (branch)
Role of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Cancer
- Primary Treatment Considerations
- Treatment of underlying factors and imbalances that contribute to cancer (root)
- Treatment of the cancer itself (branch)
- Secondary Treatment Considerations
- Treatment of side-effects of conventional cancer therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immune treatments
- Treatment of any other symptoms or health concerns, whether or not related to cancer treatment
- Potentiation of conventional cancer therapies
Effectiveness of Acupuncture as Part of Cancer Treatment
- Acupuncture is effective at treating a wide variety of health concerns including:
- Pain, both chronic and acute
- Fatigue
- Digestive complaints including diarrhea, constipation, reflux, nausea and pain
- Neuropathies
- Anxiety and depression
- Emotional distress
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes
- Bleeding
- Urinary frequency or blockage
- Reduced libido and sexual energy
- Lowered immune system
- Cold, flu, cough, sore throat
- Dizziness
- Skin diseases
Treatment Protocol for Acupuncture and Cancer
- Treatment frequency varies according to the patient’s condition and treatment
- Acupuncture can be used more frequently when needed for pain or acute symptoms, or less frequently when symptoms are reduced or when treatment is not as intense
- Treatment is most common at once per week, but can be used even daily if necessary
Synergism of Conventional Oncology and Acupuncture
- Coordination and communication with an oncologist and other involved medical doctors generally leads to better results
- Acupuncture is safe and without side-effects
- Needles are sterile and disposable and pose no risk of infection
- Acupuncture does not in any situation increase or spread cancer
- Acupuncture is not overall contra-indicated in the treatment of cancer and related symptoms.
- Consideration should be given to the timing of treatment in relation to conventional therapies
- Surgical sites that have not healed and location of active cancer will be avoided
- Acupuncture is synergistic and complementary with conventional medicine
Consideration of Timing of Acupuncture Treatment
- Acupuncture be administered before, during and after conventional treatment
- Treatment schedule and focus can responsively shift based on the changing needs of the patient
- Acupuncture treatment can be strategized; not everything needs to happen at once
Clinical Settings for Acupuncture
- The primary setting is a private, outpatient office
- Inpatient or outpatient hospital
- Chemotherapy room
Acupuncture for Caregivers
- Caregivers also need support
- Caregivers frequently experience both physical and emotional distress
- All of the same treatment considerations are true for all people; diagnosing and treating according to the principles of Chinese medicine
Finding an Acupuncturist
- The best resource is word of mouth and direct referral
- Acupuncture is licensed to practice at the state level, which in most states also requires national board certification
- It would be extremely rare these days to find someone practicing acupuncture that is not board certified and licensed, as this is illegal
- Try to find a practitioner that is knowledgeable and experienced in working with people who have cancer
Overall Benefits of Acupuncture
- Acupuncture is relaxing and feels good
- Acupuncture helps provide relief from stress
- Regardless of specific complaints, most people report feeling better and more balanced with acupuncture
- Acupuncture is a genuinely holistic system of treatment that addresses physical, mental and emotional levels of being
- One does not have to be sick or in pain to receive acupuncture
- Acupuncture is a good preventative treatment
Additional Considerations Regarding the use of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Cancer
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine do not need to be used together. Either modality can be effectively used alone
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are safely used as part of cancer treatment when administered by an experienced practitioner
- Acupuncture will not cause infection in immune compromised individuals
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbs will not spread the cancer
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbs will not negatively affect the endocrine system when it is targeted as part of treatment in hormone sensitive cancers
- Acupuncture and Chinese herbs will not interfere with blood clotting and cause bleeding
- Chinese herbal medicine will not interfere with the body’s detoxification pathways, either supporting or inhibiting them in a way that will affect conventional therapies
- Chinese herbal medicine will not negatively affect immune system function at times when therapies are intended to cause inhibition of the immune system