Staying Healthy in Winter

(see article)

Ask Mary Beth

Q. Does acupuncture hurt?
A. Many patients report that their experiences range from feeling almost nothing at all to a brief ache, or sensations of energetic activity near the needle. Many people who have been fearful of acupuncture also report being amazed and surprised by the pleasant experience of complete relaxation. The needles, being the width of a human hair, are the finest needles and only shallowly inserted into the body.

Cancer Treatment Support

How can acupuncture and Chinese herbals support you during radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and also in your recovery?

Both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine will aid in reducing side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and restore your vitality during and after your treatments, when you wish to regain your strength and stamina.

Both acupuncture and Chinese herbals can build and tone your body. They serve to mitigate the feelings of tiredness. We aim to help you maintain your energy and your blood counts.

Treatments detoxify your body without interfering with the treatments that you receive.

All treatments are holistic; your spirits will be addressed. You will receive relief from, and support when dealing with, anxiousness, depression, and stress. You will experience hope. We will create a quality of life appropriate for you, in aligning you with all of the people and things that have a positive effect on you. You will receive total support in your affiliation with this family practice.

We will clear heat in the body and temper hot flashes.

Your treatments will help with dry mouth, metallic taste, and salivary production. We endeavor to prevent hair loss and can aid in the growth and restoration of your hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

“I had cancer of the tongue and had received treatment successfully at a major renowned cancer center. Although my cancer was resolved, I no longer had any saliva. My mouth was so dry it felt like cotton—certainly not my mouth. After my first treatment with Mary Beth already my saliva was starting to come back.”   a patient

Acupuncture and Chinese herbals serve to aid with digestion. They can improve appetite and reduce the nausea and vomiting that occur after chemotherapy treatments.

More information:

Medical Edge Newspaper Column, 12/26/2008; Mayo Clinic, article online

The Lancet, Vol. 372, Issue 9654, pgs. 1938-1940, 6 Dec. 2008.

Acupuncture May Reduce Vomiting Directly After Chemotherapy, Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2.

Acupuncture Helps Ease Side Effects and Symptoms of Some Cancers, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer, 5/2010.

The outcomes of visualization and acupuncture on the quality of life of adult cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, Sawada No, Zago MM, Galva, CM, et al.; Cancer Nurse, 2010 Sept-Oct, 33(5): E21-8.

Ancient Chinese Herbal Recipe Eases Side Effects of Chemotherapy, Yale Office of Public Affairs & Communications, Yale Study, 8/18/2010.

Kitchen Table Wisdom, Ramen, Rachel Naomi, M.D.

Many patients have availed themselves of this website, Cleaning for a Reason, an organization that provides cleaning help for those undergoing cancer therapy. You can receive help once a month for four months.