If you are reading this, you or a loved one may be in pain and you may be wondering where the pain is from and how acupuncture can help.
Cancer patients may experience pain due to the disease itself or as a result of medical treatment to resolve it. For example:
- Bone pain, nerve pain, soft-tissue or organ pain caused by invasive tumours
- Post-surgery pain, eg after breast surgery or biopsy
- As a side effect of radiotherapy, eg brachial plexus neuropathy
- Post chemotherapy pain, eg peripheral neuropathy
- Side effects from medications, eg joint pain arising from the use of Aromatase Inhibitors in breast cancer patients.
Pain, whether in its acute or chronic stage, emotional or physical is one of the most common conditions treated with acupuncture. We have many approaches to pain depending on what is going on.
ACUPUNCTURES’ VARIOUS APPROACHES TO CANCER RELATED PAIN
Acupuncture can be used in various ways, for example:
- Locally – this is particularly useful for treating post-surgical scars,
- Near the Spine – to reduce and modify the transmission of pain signals
- Around affected joints – useful for stiffness and pain resulting from some medications.
- In the ear (Auricular Acupuncture) – we can access important nerves which affect neurotransmitters in the brain and influence pain.
- Using Electro-acupuncture (EA), to stimulate the body’s own powerful painkillers
- To release trigger points and ease myofascial pain and stimulate soft tissue healing
Cancer Care
How do we work?
At your first appointment we will do a full assessment to ensure we have your full health picture. We make sure we understand what your health goals are and, if appropriate, you will receive a relaxing acupuncture treatment. Following this initial assessment, we will tailor a treatment program to suit your individual circumstances. Your treatment goals will be set out and a pathway proposed based on evidence from previous studies and clinical experience.
We are always mindful of working in with your existing health care team and are happy to discuss any queries your oncologist, or any other member of your healthcare team, may have about your Ben&biao treatment plan.
An integrated team approach
As with all our patients at Ben&biao we take an wholistic approach. This is important when dealing with chronic pain where the brain moulds and adapts to the stress of the pain signalling and needs to be “rewired” in many cases.
In these cases we may recommend supplements or herbs with neuroprotective factors to support brain health and a consult with our Clinical Nutritionist for dietary recommendations. We may also recommend mind-body training (eg meditation, psychology and counselling).
We also make a range of yummy herbal teas. You may be interested in our Nausea Relief Tea, Dreamtime Organic Sleep Tea or our Hot Flush Tea, click here to read more.
How many treatments are required?
Your course of treatments will depend upon the nature of your symptoms and your health presentation. We base our treatment programs in the best available evidence and clinical experience. A course of treatment may be once or twice per week for six weeks and then may taper to less frequent appointments. This will all be set out in your treatment plan, along with reviews.