Acupuncture - it's role in my Cancer treatment.

Mr Nicholas Power Lic.Ac.Dip.Ac H.Dip Psych.MHGI.

 I found Acupunture to be a great support to me over the last year. Nick Power gave me a treatment after each cycle of Chemotherapy, in the comfort of my own home. He has written this post explaining the role of Acupuncture in the treatment of Cancer.

I have been using clinical acupuncture professionally since I qualified in 1989/1990.During this time I have acquired extensive experience working daily with a wide variety of health issues including cancer. In recent years I have also qualified as a psychotherapist using one the most up to date methods of counseling and psychotherapy, known as Human Givens Psychotherapy. This means I can also help people with the emotional stress associated with cancer and its treatment.

Acupuncture?

Many people do not understand the function of Acupuncture when treating illness. Because of misinformation and the perception that it is a traditional medicine over 3000 years old with no place in the modern world.

The opposite is true, the practice of acupuncture over this time means a vast body of knowledge and experience puts it at the forefront of many health issues.

More recently hundreds of randomized control trials (RCT’s) have been performed to test the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of various medical conditions (nausea,vomiting,addiction,gynecological,gastrointestinal,neurological,migraine).This research has resulted in a greater awareness of the benefits and applications of acupuncture in treatment.

What to expect from Acupuncture

Acupuncture does not cure Cancer, it supports your health while you progress through the medical treatment of cancer. The optimum condition of our health is referred to as homeostasis, this is when our mind and body is in good health and we experience a sense of physical and emotional wellbeing.

Acupuncture treatment has two main areas of benefit to offer you while you receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

1) Symptomatic Relief

When you receive cancer treatment you may experience a range of symptoms due to the illness or the side effects of the drugs being used. This can range from fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, depression, loss of appetite, eodema, diarrhea or constipation, headaches, and dizziness. Acupuncture is used to reduce these symptoms.

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms and because acupuncture can be structured to adapt to the individual symptoms as they present, it is ideally suited to compliment your chemotherapy. Acupuncture does not use drugs and as such will not interfere with the drugs being used for your treatment.

2) Systemic Benefit

What I mean here by “systemic” is the total effect on the balance of your health mind and body, in other words the homeostasis referred to above. Acupuncture is used traditionally to treat and prevent illness, this being the case it has vast experience in how to promote your complete health and well being. When you combine these benefits it makes sense to use acupuncture to support you on your journey through cancer treatment.

The Sandycove Clinic

I have run The Sandycove Clinic since I qualified; you can access the clinic details online at www.thesandycoveclinic.ie

As well as myself you can also contact my colleague Mr David Miller for the provision of acupuncture treatment and advice.

Mr. Nicholas Power   Ph: 0868879449          Mr. David Miller       Ph: 0873290529