Acupuncture in comprehensive cancer care

Acupuncture should be part of comprehensive cancer care. It reduces all of the side-effects and promotes better therapeutic outcomes. Patients who have acupuncture in conjunction with traditional Western therapies have fewer side-effects, a better quality of life, and live longer.

The first thing that the National Institute of Health (NIH) conceded that acupuncture was actually effective in treating was: Chemotherapy induced nausea. This was back in 1997. They found it to be 97% effective. Nausea brings with it anorexia (loss of appetite), weight loss, and fatigue. Acupuncture helps all of these.

Probably the most dangerous side effects of chemo and radiation is Immunosuppression (impairment of the immune system. Cancer therapies target the rapidly-dividing cells. Cancer cells divide rapidlly, but so do our bone marrow (which make the blood cells). Sometimes the immune system can get so compromised that the patient will have to take a break from therapy. This lets the patient recover, but also the tumor. The best results are obtained when patients can adhere to the recommended schedule of treatment. Acupuncture has been shown to increase the T-Cella, B-Cells, lymphocytes, platelets, immunogloublins, CD4, and CD8 proteins (aid in identifying foreign tissue), and it increases the number and activity of phagocytes (cells that eat invading cells in our bodies).

Another common complaint with chemo is neuropathy, or a tingling or pain in the extremities (fingers and toes usually, but it can affect the leg up to the knee). The chem is toxic and will often pool at the ends of the limbs, damaging the nerves in those areas. Acupuncture help repair neurologic damage. It is often used in stroke rehab because of this ability.

Chemo als affects the brain. The phenomenon is called "chemo brain" and induces a mental fog. Patients have trouble concentrating and remembering things; and this can last for months or even years after the cessation of treatment. Acupuncture can prevent this disorder from setting in and it can treat it once it has.

Depending on the site, radiation has its own set of side-effects. Radiation in the lower thorax (for colon, bladder, testicular, ovarian or uterine cancers) can cause diarrhea or constipation. Acupunctrue treats both of these. Head and neck radiation can damage the salivary glands forever, causing xerostomia or dry mouth. Acupuncture has been shown to be over 90% effecive in treating xerostomia and the results have lasted up to a year. Radiation in the upper chest and neck can cause dyshpagia (difficulty swallowing, requiring tube feeding) and dypsnea (difficulty breathing). Studies have shown acupuncture reduces these as well.

Don't forget about the emotional toll. A diagnosis of cancer will certainly cause some anxiety and often inspired depression as well. The most common side-effect of acupuncture is a sense of calm and well-being. This can last for weeks. Plus it helps that the patient can feel active in their treatment. Much of the approach to cancer involves the doctor or the medicine acting on the passive patient. Adding acupuncture allows the patient to contribute to their recovery.

Chinese medicine is also very concerned with understanding where the cancer came from in the first place, and correcting that cause so it does not return. If patients do not change their diet, lifestlyes and attitudes, the cancer will often return (although it may be at a different location).

I had the unfortunate experiencing of watching my mother fall victim to breast cancer when I was nine years old. I remember how she suffered with the side effects of her treatment. I am grateful to now be in a position to help people combat this terrible disease without such suffering. If you know anyone fighting cancer (or who wants to prevent it) please let them know about acupuncture. Visit acfom.com for more information about my practice.

The Asian Diet featured on AOL

An interview with me was just posted to AOL.com's "That's Fit" site. Check it out at http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/05/14/asian-diet-for-weight-loss

I am grateful to be very busy lately and have not had as much time to post. Everyone go to www.theasiandiet.com and www.acfom.com for more information about my book and practice.

I have my first book signing on Monday the 18th at The Book Stall in Winnetka, IL at 7pm. This will be after eight hours of teaching, so my voice may be a little fried. A bunch of people have RSVP'd that they are going to attend though, so I am happy.

Then in June I have a signing at the Border's books and music in Wilmette, and July has me at the Barnes and Noble in Old Orchard shopping center in Skokie, IL And then in August I am giving a lecture and book signing at the Evanston library in Evanston IL. I am looking for more groups to present to, so if you know of any, please let me know at jason@theasiandiet.com.

Well, I guess I'm not a very good blogger, having taken 2 weeks off since my last post. Right now I am between patients in my Wilmette office, A Center for Oriental Medicine, www.acfom.com. I am re-reading The Web that has no Weaver, by Ted Kaptchuk. It was the first book I read on acupuncture some 12 years ago. Ted wrote it as he returned from China and had just learned all about chinese medicine. He updated the book after practicing for 20 years. I am interested to see how his insights have changed. I also have to get re-familiar with it since it is the textbook that I will be teaching from when I teach my intro to Oriental medicine class in May.

I am also thinking about what I will tell the medical staff when I present Grand Rounds at UIC medical center. I have an hour to present, am and not sure what is best to tell the docs. Maybe about the theory, the research, the integration. I have a month to prepare the power point.

And I'm starting to think about how I am going to promote my book when it comes out. "The Asian Diet: Simple secrets for eating right, losing weight, and being well" is due to be in stores April 13th. I need to hire a press agent and start promoting it in the next month or so. I don't know anything about selecting a press agent, so I will have to learn.

Well, I have to go pull needles from a patient. Stay tuned. The excitement never ends.
Jason