Cancer Treatment Support
Cancer treatment according to Traditional Chinese Medicine is based on Fu Zheng Gu Ben principles. Fu Zhen means strengthening what is correct. It is an immune enhancing herbal regimen using specific herbs. The objective is to support and stimulate deep energy systems within the body to make it stronger and more resistant to degeneration. Gu Ben refers to strengthening and supporting the body to regenerate and repair.
Treatments may include:
- removing toxins that may contribute to cancer
- increasing the flow of blood and Qi
- removing accumulations of toxins which body accumulates during chemo and radiation
- restoring self-regulation and balance among the Jing, Qi and Shen.
- Chinese herbal formula to help before and after surgery, during and after chemo/radiation treatments
- help body to recover after radiation treatment (fatigue, burnt skin)
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a 4 thousand year old method of treatment that has many uses, especially in the fight against cancer. Many different factors are considered during the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with cancer. Acupuncturists do not focus on curing the cancer. Instead, the focusing on strengthening the body. This means treating the symptoms and providing the immune system the necessary tools to fight the disease. By effectively treating the symptoms associated with the disease, chemotherapy and radiation, the body can begin to function more efficiently.
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment. When considered from an Eastern point of view, the slim, golden needles that are inserted into the body’s many meridians remove blockage and restore the flow of Qi. When Qi is allowed to flow freely, the body’s energies return to a state of harmony and provides an environment that is conducive to healing. In Western medicine, the insertion of the needles creates a chain reaction that starts with the needle and travels through the central nervous system. As the signals continue through the nerves to the spine and eventually into the brain and stimulate the hypothalamus and other glands to trigger vital processes throughout the body.
As body processes begin to return to normal, a patient’s appetite will return. The digestive tract will no longer react violently, but instead will begin to allow the body to utilize the nutrients it needs to become strong and regain an overall state of good health. As the conventional cancer treatments progress, the use of acupuncture will offset many of the debilitating symptoms that can often cause serious health problems.
Dr. Postolov’s use of acupuncture to treat the symptoms associated with cancer and the conventional methods used to fight it, help to elicit a healing response that restores balance to the body. An acupuncture session normally lasts between 25 to 35 minutes. Many patients will fall asleep or become extremely relaxed allowing the flow of Qi to restore itself. With each session, the state of balance will become stronger and the body will become more resistant to many of the symptoms associated with chemotherapy and radiation.
Acupuncture has been found to be effective in relieving:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Post-surgical pain
Chinese Herbs
The use of Chinese herbs is just as much an art as it is a science. With over 4,000 herbs to work with, a highly skilled Herbologist can create formulas that can be used for many different combinations of symptoms. Every person is unique. A Herbologist will have to take into consideration a person’s pulse, the condition of the tongue, body temperature and many other factors before they can develop a treatment plan that includes Chinese herbs.
The herbal remedy will be chosen according to various aspects of a person’s health. During various stages of treatment, the formula may have to be altered as the state of the physical body begins to change. Once the symptoms are controlled, healing can begin to take place. Controlling the symptoms of the disease, as well as those that are produced by chemotherapy and radiation, will allow the body to slowly begin to regain its strength.
Herbs possess powerful properties that encourage healing. Effectively managing cancer treatment symptoms is the key to rebuilding the body. When diarrhea, vomiting and nausea are sufficiently controlled, the patient’s digestive tract will be able to function more efficiently, allowing nutrients to, once again, be utilized by the body. As the nutrients become more available to the tissues, strength returns giving the immune system the boost it needs to further promote a healing response.
Along with their healing properties, Chinese herbs also contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals that the body must have to function at its very best. When taken in conjunction with other modalities, the benefits of the herbs become quite apparent. Not only do they work to control symptoms and elicit a healing response, they also strengthen the immune system by supplementing the necessary nutrients the body may be lacking due to an impaired digestive tract.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs are helpful with:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Ulcers in the mouth
- Low blood count (red and white blood cells)
Why Our Therapies Work In An Oncology Treatment Plan
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are extremely beneficial when included in an oncology treatment plan. Part of the reason for this is that they address the condition from a holistic point of view. They treat every aspect of the person. Alternative therapies do not just focus on the condition causing the problems. Instead, they target the symptoms as well as other aspects of a person’s health. Lifestyle, diet, a person’s emotional state as well as other factors are all taken into consideration.
A holistic treatment plan treats the entire person. It does not single out the disease or the symptoms, but instead looks for ways to address both sufficiently and effectively. Treatment plans are designed on an individual basis using modalities that have been proven effective for each person’s unique state of health or lack of health.
Dr. Postolov works hand in hand with oncologists to help patients regain optimum health through the use of both acupuncture and Chinese Herbology. Each patient receives individualized care starting with a thorough examination and an evaluation as to what types of treatment will work best for their specific condition. Her goal is to not only relieve symptoms and elicit a healing response in the physical body, it is important to restore a state of balance and well-being on a mental and emotional level as well.
Please click here to read about Chinese Herbal Formula’s which help the patient to go through chemotherapy and radiation, and facilitate Cancer recovery.
Please click here to get information on the diet recommended for Cancer patients through different stages of Cancer treatment.
Please click here to read the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) endorsement of acupuncture as an effective treatment for chemotherapy nausea and postoperative pain.