Acupuncture as a Complement to Cancer Treatment
The saga continues of Maria Claudia White as told by Erin Quinn in her article for Natural Solutions magazine. Maria Claudia was receiving chemotherapy and radiation for her breast cancer along with several complementary therapies recommended by her integrative oncologist. While meeting regularly with a mind-body therapist and a hypnotherapist, she began acupuncture treatments at the Integrative Health Center of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles into specific areas of the body to boost blood flow and energize nerve centers to help relieve particular symptoms. Two symptoms that acupuncture has proven especially successful in controlling are stress and anxiety, both of which are barriers to coping with cancer treatment. Acupuncture improves overall well-being, relieves pain associated with cancer or surgery, and reduces the side effects of chemotherapy, such as hot flashes and nausea.
Maria Claudia took ten sessions of acupuncture treatments over the course of three months. She credits the acupuncture preparation for her chemotherapy to be one of the main reasons that she was able to handle the treatment with little anxiety. She believes her blessing of having almost no nausea associated with the chemotherapy was because her body was better prepared for it through the acupuncutre specifically designed to bolster physical resistance to the side effects.
With less stress, less nausea, and more energy, the body is much more accepting of and prepared for the attacks of conventional cancer therapies. The conventional therapies are made more effective, less damaging, and hopefully shorter in duration. The result is a better, faster healing process. Integrative oncology with a myriad of complementary therapies is by far the best option for cancer treatment. Everyone should learn more about this new strategy for winning the war on cancer before the need arises.
October 18th, 2009 at 09:46
Great info. Thanks for posting this.
October 22nd, 2009 at 07:45
Being stressed out all the time because of poor health can be a downward spiral that is hard to break. You need to have an arsenal of therapies to help you relax so your body can repair and have a chance at fighting your illness.