The diagnosis of cancer causes a great deal of stress and can result in emotional imbalances and depression. In addition to the toxic effect on the heart of chemotherapy and radiation, fear can create both physical and emotional disorders of the heart.

Acupuncture techniques are uniquely suited to addressing these sorts of problems. Overwhelming fatigue is also a problem which Chinese medicine can reduce, and it may be possible to decrease the negative effect of chemotherapy and radiation on normal tissues. Increases in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets with appropriate treatment is a realistic goal, as well as other improvements in blood chemistries which may be more subtle.Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy should consider acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine to reduce the nausea, fatigue and discomfort of treatment. A variety of studies have indicated the effectiveness of acupuncture for the nausea that may accompany various chemotherapy agents.

Cancer surgery involves transecting the channels as well as issues unique to this type of procedure. Just as with other forms of surgery, acupuncture can be helpful in a variety of ways. In a similar way, it is difficult to judge how beneficial Oriental medicine is for preventing recurrences and addressing the longer term consequence of chemotherapy and radiation causing secondary malignancy. However, I have seen very good results in motivated patients, and evidence is slowly accumulating in support of comprehensive integrated treatment.

It is unclear at this point how effective Oriental techniques are for increasing the effectiveness of Western anti-cancer therapies. Ongoing research in China and other countries is producing promising results in this area. What is already clear is that by overcoming the discomforts and emotional stress of treatment, a person's natural resources become more fully available.I am seeing increasing numbers of people who suffer neuropathy and other neurologic problems as side effects of their treatment, and this can sometimes resolve very well with acupuncture and Chinese dietary therapy. 

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