Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy for Cancer Patients
by Robert CHu, L.Ac., QME, PhD

Why Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy for Cancer patients?

Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy can help those suffering with cancer to prolong life, enhance quality of life, and aid in recovery. In China, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy are used as primary treatments for the treatment of cancer, in this country there are legal ramifications with this approach, so most western cancer patients often choose to combine their biomedical treatment with alternative therapies. They are not quite sure where to turn to and may try any treatment alleged to treat cancer, or even self medicate with herbs and other substances. Often chemotherapy, surgery and radiation cause damage to healthy tissues, as well as diseased tissues, and weakens the immune system. This is where Chinese medicine can be very helpful. Chinese herbal medicine is the therapy of choice in treating the side-effects experienced by oncological treatments, and is proven in its effectiveness.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, cancer is caused by the stagnation of energy and blood in the body due to strong emotions, poor exercise, poor diet, inadequate rest and hereditary factors which are triggered from poor health. Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy eradicates disease through the balancing and moving stagnant energy and blood.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

According to the principles of TCM, energy flows through the body via 12 primary meridians and 8 extra channels. To strengthen the flow of energy , or remove blockages in the meridians, acupuncturists insert a few disposable tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called acupoints) along these channels. These acupoints are associated with specific body function, and when stimulated, they trigger the immunity system to provide almost instantaneous pain relief and cessation of symptoms ailing the patient. For example, if you are suffering from nausea and vomiting from radiation or chemotherapy, a few carefully selected points might be stimulated on your ear, scalp, hands, feet, wrist or ankle. TCM practitioners believe that acupuncture stimulates the body's internal regulatory system to nurture a natural healing response without having to directly treat the site of injury.

Acupuncture stimulates the body's internal regulatory system to nurture a natural healing response. Centuries of empirical observation indicate that acupuncture leads to real changes in the body. The insertion of acupuncture needles has an effect on the autonomic nervous system and homeostatis.

Recently, numerous studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates nerves, send a signal up the spinal cord to the brain, leading to the release of endorphins and monoamines, which are natural chemicals in the body that block pain signals. This may be one explanation why acupuncture is so good at stopping pain, but does not fully explain the healing response one has with other disorders. More research is needed to fully explain the acupuncture mechanism.

What To Expect

When first visiting a practitioner, there will be a thorough medical history inquiry, the pulse is taken on both wrists, the tongue is examined, and the body may be palpated to check the site of disease or pain. A treatment plan will be discussed.

Depending on your ailment, you may also have your first acupuncture treatment and Herbal Therapy prescription at that first visit. In general, visits occur initially two or three times a week until therapeutic results and stabilization have occurred. After that, follow up visits will be scheduled as needed. Therapeutic exercise and meditation may also be prescribed to aid in overall well being.

Does it hurt?

Acupuncture needles do not hurt like hypodermic needles used to give injections or draw blood. The needles are hair-thin, and may feel like a tiny prick or pinch upon insertion. Sterile disposable needles are always used. Once the needles are inserted, the practitioner may manipulate them manually or send a weak electrical current through them to increase the energy flow. The needles are typically retained for 20 - 45 minutes, depending on the ailment. Different people experience sensations of a "tingling", "distended", "electrical" or "full" feeling, whereas others may feel numbness or nothing at all. Most find the sessions relaxing, and fall asleep during the treatment, waking up refreshed and feeling great.

Herbal Therapy in a nutshell

In our society, herbs have now come into vogue, but there are dangers. Although herbs are natural substances, they can be dangerous if wrongly or self prescribed. Herbs are combined with other herbs of similar function to reduce the danger of toxicity and increase synergistic effect. In our clinic, we use the finest Herbal Therapy formulas in pill and powder form for convenience. There is no need to be inconvenienced by the taste, smell and time preparing raw herbs. There are also herbal lotions, liniments, herbal wraps, patches and pastes that may be used externally, depending on your condition.

Other Physical Medicine

Practitioners may also use moxibustion, a form of heat therapy on acupoints, to stimulate healing, depending upon the ailment. Other techniques include cupping, Gua Sha (scraping), massage and manipulation therapy, often complimented with dietary advice.

How soon can I expect results?

Some patients notice rapid improvement after just a few sessions. In acute pain cases, one or two treatments may lead to dramatic results. In chronic conditions that may have taken years to develop, treatment may take longer.

Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy effectively treats:

Anxiety Auto-Immune Disorders Back Pain and Sciatica Chemo and Radiation therapy Side Effects Constipation Diarrhea Dizziness Ear Pain and Ringing Eczema and other Skin Problems Edema Headaches Infections Insomnia Migraines Nausea and Vomiting Numbness and Neuropathy PAIN of all types Stress Weight loss

Does my Insurance Cover treatments?

Currently many insurance carriers cover treatments. If your insurance company has acupuncture benefits, you may qualify for treatment.

In summary:

Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy can help prevent cancer by strengthening the immunity system, insuring adequate rest, balancing strong emotions, promoting proper diet, and avoiding hereditary triggers that can lead to developing tumors. During oncological treatments of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy can be a safe adjunct for an already taxed immunity system.

We can boost immunity, help dissolve nodules, reduce anxiety, stop headaches, treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lack of energy, prevent peripheral neuropathy, treat chemo induced menopause, and restore hair loss to maintain quality of life and give you time with your loved ones and put your business in order. After you've gone through treatments of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, we can restore you to good health and help you recover from whatever symptom is ailing you.

In summary, Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy can help you before during and after treatment of cancer.

About Robert Chu, L.Ac., QME, MSOM, PhD: Robert Chu (Chu Sau Lei) began stuying the martial and Chinese healing arts since childhood. Robert is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, specializing in the Master Tung Acupuncture and Optimal Acupuncture methods in which he effectively treats pain, industrial injuries, sports injuries, and neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Dr. Chu also treats a wide variety of internal diseases including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, gynecological disorders and side-effects from cancer treatments.

He is appointed by the Industrial Medical Council as a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME). Dr. Chu was formerly affiliated with the St. Vincent Medical Center , as the first fulltime Acupuncturist on staff and treated cancer patients with Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy, Qigong and Tai Chi. Dr. Chu is a former faculty member of Samra University of Oriental Medicine in Los Angeles, where he taught acupuncture.

He has also taught Tai Chi and Qigong at Loyola Law School . Dr. Chu also volunteers at Pasadena's Wellness Community , where he does monthly lectures for cancer patients and a weekly lifestyle/nutrition and Qi Gong class. He is occasionally featured as a speaker for the American Cancer Society .

In July of 2004, Dr. Chu was selected as the Acupuncturist to Olympic athletes at the Olympic Trials held in Sacramento, CA. Dr. Chu also lectures nationally and internationally on Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine to provide continuing education to MD's and Acupuncturists. In 2003, he founded the International Association of Optimal Acupuncture and Clinical Chinese Medicine to spread his effective clinical system. He also serves as President of the ITARA - International Tung's Acupuncture Research Association, which he founded in 2005, to preserve, standardize, educate, and research new applications of the Tung family system of Acupuncture with integrity, open sharing, and a goal to help end suffering in fellow beings.

He has been decorated as an honorary member of the Finnish Traditional Chinese Medicine Society of Acupuncture and Herbs and a therapist member of the National Register of Acupuncture Therapists in Finland. Dr. Chu is also listed as a Master Practitioner of Oriental Bodywork Therapy and Master Practitioner of Tui-Na Manipulations, awarded by the International Association of Tui-Na Therapies in London, England. He has lectured at Emperor's College of TCM , CSOMA , and other functions as a dynamic and entertaining speaker.

In 2004, Robert was awarded a Ph.D. in Buddhist Ayurveda from the non-profit college Ayurveda Healing Arts Institute in Berkeley, California. Currently, 40 - 60% of Dr. Chu's practice is devoted to treating breast and prostate cancer patients.

He may be contacted at: Robert Chu, L.Ac., QME, MSOM, PhD2502 E. Washington Blvd Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 345-0441 Cell/Voice Mail: (626) 487-1815