Cancer treatment might end, but for many survivors, the journey to feeling truly well can be a long one. Thankfully, acupuncture and Chinese medicine offer promising ways to tackle the lingering challenges. Beverley de Valois, in her article “Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: The Missing Piece,” and the Almond Wellness Centre both highlight how these traditional therapies can be game-changers for cancer survivors.

Life After Cancer Treatment: The Reality

So, you’ve beaten cancer. That’s fantastic! But if you’re like many survivors, you might still be grappling with a range of physical and emotional issues. From persistent pain and fatigue to anxiety and sleep problems, the aftermath of cancer treatments can be tough. This is where acupuncture and Chinese medicine step in, offering a holistic approach to help you feel better overall.

Why Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture isn’t just about needles—it’s about restoring balance. It can help with chronic pain, hot flushes, lymphedema, and those pesky sleep problems. Even better, it has fewer side effects than many conventional treatments. Plus, it’s fantastic for your mental health, helping to reduce anxiety, depression, and the fear of cancer coming back.

The Power of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Over at Almond Wellness Centre, they combine Chinese herbal medicine with your conventional treatments. Research shows that this combination can ease symptoms like low white blood cell count, nausea, vomiting, and anaemia. This is especially helpful for patients with cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, and liver cancer. By improving blood counts and reducing side effects, these herbs can really boost your overall well-being.

Integrative Care: The Best of Both Worlds

Integrating acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine into your cancer care routine offers a well-rounded approach that addresses both your body and mind. Here’s how it can help:

• Beat Fatigue: Acupuncture can tackle cancer-related fatigue, giving you more energy to enjoy life.
• Manage Pain: It’s effective for pain, including that caused by chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
• Ease Side Effects: Both acupuncture and herbal medicine can reduce chemo side effects like nausea, vomiting, and low blood counts.
• Improve Sleep: By reducing stress and anxiety, acupuncture can help you sleep better.
• Boost Quality of Life: Addressing physical symptoms and providing emotional support, these therapies can significantly improve your overall quality of life.

Backing It Up with Research

Research supports the effectiveness of these therapies. For instance, studies show that acupuncture can reduce pain and improve quality of life for cancer patients. It’s also been shown to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes and joint pain in breast cancer patients, and herbs like chamomile and lavender can help with anxiety and depression.

Personalised Care at Almond Wellness Centre

At Almond Wellness Centre in Coburg and Ringwood, you’ll get a personalised treatment plan that fits your unique needs. Dr. Richard Zeng and his team are dedicated to supporting your cancer recovery with acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and lifestyle advice tailored just for you.

Wrapping It Up

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can make a huge difference in your life after cancer treatment. By addressing both physical and emotional challenges, these therapies offer a holistic approach to improving your quality of life and supporting long-term recovery. If you’re considering these complementary therapies, reach out to experienced practitioners to see how they can help you on your journey to better health.

References

1. De Valois, B. (2023). Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: The Missing Piece.
2. Science Reports (2015). Combining CHM with chemotherapy reduces symptoms in cancer patients.
3. de Valois B. Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal, and Transformation. London: Singing Dragon; 2023.
4. Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010). Acupuncture reduces pain and dysfunction in head or neck cancer patients.
5. PubMed (2024). Electroacupuncture improves fatigue, anxiety, and depression in breast cancer patients.
6. PubMed (2010). Acupuncture for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
7. Phytotherapy Research (2018). Herbal Medicine for Depression and Anxiety in cancer patients.
8. Society for Integrative Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology. Guidelines for integrative oncology.
9. Mao JJ, Nofisat I, Ting B, et al. Integrative medicine for pain management in oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology–ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol, 2022;40(34):3998-4024.