Acupuncture at The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation

June 10, 2015 - PRLog -- What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It’s based on the theory that energy, called chi (say “chee”), flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians. Acupuncturists believe that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances your chi. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance.

Acupuncture is done by putting very thin needles into your skin at certain points on your body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Sometimes heat, pressure, or mild electrical current is used along with needles.

Benefits of Acupuncture for people with cancer

Chemotherapy-induced nausea acupuncture can relieve the nausea and vomitingassociated with chemotherapy. While some oncologists recommend avoiding acupunctureafter chemotherapy due to an increased risk of infection, acupuncture may be done before achemotherapy session to help prevent nausea

Pain

Studies looking at pain control with acupuncture suggest that it may help with reducingthe pain from cancer as well as from surgery. Though it usually does not replace pain medications,it may help reduce the amount of pain medications needed, and consequently someof the side effects of those pain medicines.

Reduced depression and anxiety
Preliminary studies have found that acupuncture may reduce both depression and anxiety in cancer patients

Improved sleep
It may also help to improve sleep. At least one study to date found that people with cancer who underwent acupuncture had an improvement in their quality of sleep.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Acupuncture hasn’t been used widely forthe annoying symptom of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, but one small studydid show that people who underwent acupuncture had a lessened need for pain medicationsto control their symptoms.

Immune Function

Acupuncture may also have a positive influence on immune function in people with cancer. Whether this could, in turn, have a role in treating cancer is still speculation at this point in time.

Acupuncture is available at the Hope, Health and Healing Center on

8135 Painter Ave. Suite 106 Whittier, CA

Tuesdays 1-4 pm and Friday 9-11 am

Fees:
Initial Consultation: $65
Continuing Patients: $50

About The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation:

The Oncology Institute of Hope and Innovation is committed to providing superior, compassionate and state-of-the-art medical care to our patients. We offer programs to help our patients and families cope with the challenges that are brought on by cancer and strive to optimize their quality of life. Comprehensive and realistic treatment goals are tailored to every person's unique needs and decided upon in partnership with the patients and their families. We are dedicated to and excel in cancer prevention, diagnosis and education through our exceptional team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants and office staff.