Acupuncture For Cancer Patients

In recent years acupuncture has made huge inroads in conventional medical treatments for cancer. There have been hundreds of clinical research trials using acupuncture for the management of various symptoms of cancer treatment. A large number of these studies have been sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health, and have found acupuncture to be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms of cancer treatment such as nausea, fatigue, post-operative pain, musculo-skeletal pain, neuropathy, dry mouth, hot flashes, anxiety, and others. For a recent review of acupuncture research for cancer patients click this link: http://bit.ly/1VUwUgR

Since there are so few effective conventional solutions for many of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, a growing number of innovative cancer centers and oncology practices around the country are integrating acupuncture into their conventional medical treatment for the management of these symptoms. At the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center in Jacksonville, Florida, Acupuncture Physicians Michael Kowalski A.P. and Tracy Kozak A.P. are helping an increasing number of cancer patients to manage symptoms of their cancer treatment with positive results.

How Acupuncture Works

In Chinese Medicine, we believe the body has certain energy channels (called meridians) where energy flows inside. When those meridian channels are blocked, or too little or too much energy flows through those meridians, unless that energy blockage or imbalance is corrected a health problem will develop in that person’s body, mind or emotions. Acupuncture is used to correct such an energy blockage or imbalance. When the correct energy flow is restored, the related symptom improves. When treating certain acupuncture points along these meridian channels are proven through rigorous research to improve a given symptom, we call this Evidence-Based Acupuncture.

Symptoms vs. Cause

In 5 Element Acupuncture, we understand that a symptom – whether physical or emotional – is the result of some underlying cause. We also realize that this root cause is unique to each individual.

At the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center in Jacksonville, we use 5 Element Acupuncture to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of why the meridian channel got blocked or imbalanced in the first place. Once this original cause of the health problem has been corrected, the symptoms will improve.

In 5 Element Acupuncture, there are two diagnostic treatment procedures that we believe are linked to an increased risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as cancer. One is called Aggressive Energy, and the other is called a Husband-Wife imbalance. A trained 5 Element acupuncturist can diagnose and effectively treat both of these major energy imbalances.

5 Element Acupuncture restores the overall vitality and constitutional strength of a person. That is why, in a course of 5 Element Acupuncture treatment, cancer patients typically not only feel their symptoms getting better, but also experience a general improvement in their physical and mental energy, and their emotions become balanced.

When the cause of a symptom is maintained in the corrected state of balance for a sustained period through a course of several acupuncture treatments, the symptoms typically are greatly improved or gone. We then say that the treatments are “holding.”

Surviving and Thriving

As conventional medical treatments are becoming increasingly effective for treating many types of cancer, cancer patients are living longer. That is the good news. The other side of the coin, however, is that these patients are usually left with a cluster of symptoms related to their cancer treatment, which can have a major impact on their quality of life.

Acupuncture is being integrated into conventional cancer care not only during the chemotherapy and radiation process, but after treatment for cancer survivors as well. At the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center, we integrate the best of 5 Element Acupuncture with Evidence-Based acupuncture points to customize the treatment plan for each individual patient.

We have a great deal of compassion for the needs of our cancer patients and their families. Our passion is to help improve the quality of life of our cancer patients, both during and after cancer treatment, and our reward is to share in their success.

We would love to be a part of your road to recovery! Please call us at the Acupuncture & Holistic Health Center with any questions, or to make an initial appointment, at (904) 296-9545.