Cancer is a local manifestation of the disease of the whole body.

Conventional oncology targets the tumor itself. It focuses on specific targets and the treatment originates externally. It includes surgery, chemo and radiation therapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, etc. It aims to remove cancer cells thoroughly and quickly. It is the powerful way to kill the cancer cells. However, it has many undesirable side effects.

Complementary oncology treats patients in a holistic way. It embraces body, mind and spirit to invigorate the patient’s own inner strength. Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Tai-ji movements are the most important parts of  Complementary oncology. We play a supportive role with fewer negative side effects and improves the quality of life.

In cancer care, the treatment originates externally. The recovery is produced internally. Cancer patients need both.

Study on Herbal Medicine in Stage IV Gastric Cancer

A major cancer hospital in China conducted a study on 176 stage IV gastric cancer patients, divided into three groups: chemo only, chemo + detox herbs, and chemo + immune support herbs. The chemo + immune support group showed a significantly higher survival rate beyond three years.

Three-year survival: 65% (chemo + immune) vs. 47% (chemo + detox) vs. 44% (chemo only).

Five-year survival: 39% (chemo + immune) vs. 3.45% (chemo + detox) vs. 0% (chemo only).

Ten-year survival: 7.8% (chemo + immune), while no patients in the other groups survived past ten years.

This study suggests that combining chemotherapy with immune-supporting herbs may significantly prolong survival for stage IV gastric cancer patients.

Acupuncture regulates the physiological function of human body by adjusting the Qi directly on the target organ and meridian and indirectly on the functionally related organs and meridians. When using acupuncture to treat cancer patients, we treat the human being as a whole first, then we treat the tumor locally.

Acupuncture can treat many symptoms. Based on clinical studies conducted in the Unites States so far, it has been proved that acupuncture is effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, neutropenia, cancer fatigue, cancer-related pain, depression and anxiety, hot flashes, insomnia, chemo-induced neuropathy and radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth).

Acupuncture is effective in many other cancer related conditions. Relief of the above-mentioned symptoms has been proved by clinical studies in the United States.

Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. The fatigue experienced by a cancer patient is different from the fatigue that comes from everyday life. Cancer related fatigue is more severe and lasts longer. It can be overwhelming and is not always relieved by rest.

It is not completely clear what cause cancer fatigue. Therefore, there is no magic pill to treat fatigue. Recent studies have showed that moderate exercise programs during cancer treatment help reduce fatigue. Cancer related fatigue can be treated using Chinese Medicine. Our studies showed that Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture can significantly alleviate cancer related fatigue . Fatigue is considered to be Qi (energy) deficiency according to Chinese medical theory. Based on our clinical observation, fatigue is the result of Qi and Yin deficiency in the majority of cancer patients. Our special formula, which has been used for over twenty five years, can significantly reduce cancer related fatigue. When we combine this formula with meridian manipulation, we can control fatigue symptom to a satisfying level.

Low blood cell counts remains one of the common complications during chemotherapy. Low white blood cell, red blood cell and platelets compromise efficacy resulting in delays and dose reductions in chemotherapy. When the patient doesn’t have a good response to the treatment of colony stimulating agents, chemotherapy may have to be discontinued.

Our office has developed a protocol to treat this specific condition. It includes a formula of Chinese herbs designed to boost the cell counts in a short time without negative side effects. This formula requires combining moxibustion treatment for better and fast results.

Chinese herbal medicine can increase not just white blood cells but all blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It is more potent, broader spectrum and has no negative side effects when compared to conventional medicine. It is also the only option proved to be effective when conventional medicine doesn’t work.