Oncology Acupuncture
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According
to the World Health Organization and Society for Integrative
Oncology, and the American Cancer Society ...
Acupuncture
is safe and effective treatment for the following side effects
of radiation / oncology treatment: Xerostomia, nausea, fatigue,
anxiety, restore bowel function post surgery and relieve
cancer and surgical related pain.
Efficacy:
- Chemotherapy
side effects
- Neuropathy
- Severe
fatigue
- Pain
- Emesis
- Xerostomia
induced by radiation
- Restoring
bowel function
- Post-
thoracotomy pain
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According
to the US National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute
- Acupuncture is used to treat many illnesses and ailments;
however, it is mainly used to control pain, including cancer pain
and pain as a result of cancer treatment. Acupuncture has been
used in the United States for about 200 years. There is strong
evidence from clinical trials that acupuncture relieves nausea
and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and may help a person's immune
system work better. It is important that acupuncture treatment
be given by a qualified practitioner who uses a new set of disposable
(single-use) needles for each patient
The
Society for Integrative Oncology - Recognizes acupuncture
is safe and effective treatment for pain, as well as resorting
bowel function post surgery, chemotherapy induced nausea and fatigue,
reducing anxiety and boosting the immune system.
At
Rochester General Hospital Lipson Cancer Center, acupuncture service:
- Provides
therapies aimed at relieving the adverse side-effects of chemotherapy
and radiation.
- Provides
therapies to promote health and well-being post CA treatments.
- Provides
therapies to manage and decrease post surgical pain and discomfort.
- Provides
therapies to improve return of bowel function in patients
post surgery
- Provides
therapies to restore a sense of well being and reduce anxiety.
- Educates
patients about complementary vs. alternative medicine and
the role it may play in their treatment plan.
She
treats patients following cancer treatment left with extreme fatigue,
anxiety and depleted immunity. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine
can restore one's energy and strengthen immunity.
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The
facial rejuvenation is one of the more popular treatments
at Memorial Sloan Kettering among the Oncology patients. |
Contraindications:
*
- Lymphodema
treatment is only performed distal to the site.
- Post
bone marrow transplant a waiting period of 6 -12 months for
needle insertion.
- TCM treats
edema, but does not needle into edema.
- Patients
on blood thinners are commonly treated with acupuncture without
ill effects.
- Deep
needling is not performed on patients receiving blood thinners
to reduce chance of bruising.
- There
is no contraindication for patients with thrombocytopenia.
- Pregnant
patients have a more limited scope for needling.
*Some
patients may receive TCM treatment with modalities other than
needles.
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Testimonials
from patients at RGH Lipson Cancer Center:
- "The
treatments have been a helpful and positive experience."
- "I
liked Shannon's disposition. She has a gentle approach
and a soothing way about her.
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- "Seven
acupuncture treatments with Shannon, got rid of my night
sweats; for that I am grateful!"
- "The
acupuncture treatments made me feel very relaxed and seemed
to settle my gastrointestinal upset. I would like to try
acupuncture again and recommend it to others."
- "Everything
about my acupuncture treatments at Lipson Cancer Center
were good and helpful. It was a good experience."
- "Shannon
was very caring and concerned."
- "
I had noticeable results from my acupuncture treatments
at Lipson. The results were positive and I was pleased
with the process."
- "What
I liked best was the acupuncturist, Shannon Pinckney.
She was professional and genuinely caring. I also gained
a sense of well being from the treatments."
- "Shannon's
advice and knowledge are leading me on a path to balance
and less stress. This has been a very positive experience."
- "Shannon
makes you feel special. She takes time to answer questions
and treats you like a person, not just a patient."
- "What
I liked best about my acupuncture treatments at Lipson
Cancer Center was
how I feel afterwards!"
- "I
highly recommend Shannon and acupuncture for good results.
My body feels better and so do I. The psychological lift
is great and a blessed relief from the angst over suddenly
been diagnosed with cancer."
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