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According to Western Medicine, cancer is a group of almost 100
different types of diseases marked by uncontrolled growth of cells in the
human body and the ability of these cells to migrate from the original site and
spread to distant sites. Western doctors typically use a combination of
chemotherapy, radiation, diet, and exercise in order to control the extension
of cancer cells. When it is not able to be controlled, cancer will cause death.
Over 1.6 million people will
be diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2016. It is now the second
leading cause of death nationwide, just behind heart disease. Over 500,000
people will die from cancer this coming year in the U.S.
Many patients, especially in
more recent years, have turned to alternative medicine for cancer treatment.
While ignoring your Oncologist’s advice is not recommended, the wide-range of
alternative modalities leaves many options available to look into.
Even some of the most ancient
healing systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have treatment
recommendations. Modern practitioners of TCM translate ancient beliefs into
treatment plans for “diseases” that Western medicine has adorned with a name. Practitioners
of TCM look at the constitution of the body in terms of the meridian
systems, emotional state and flow of qi in order to prescribe one or a combination of treatments
to a patient. Each patient will have a different treatment plan based off of
excess or deficient amounts of qi in their body. These treatments may include
diet modification/herbs, body work, qi gong, moxibustion, and cupping.
Diet and Herbs:
TCM practitioners use diet
and herbs for many treatment plans, not just those for cancers. Foods, tastes
and flavors are directly connected to the five elements and their properties, as
well as their effects on the human body. Deficiencies or excess amounts of qi that cause an elemental imbalance will inform the therapist what to prescribe their patients. Be sure to find a therapist who has a
long history of working with food and herbs prior to a consultation.
BodyWork:
There are many modifications
to TCM body work modalities that any good therapist should know in order to
make their massage a relaxing and beneficial experience for a client who is
undergoing cancer treatment. All massage therapists will modify variables such
as pressure and duration of massage. Massage therapists who use TCM in their
practice may also include modifications to their massage patterns in order to
work specific meridians and acupressure points that may complement a specific
type of cancer treatment. While body work is not a primary treatment method for
cancer, it is certainly a wonderful complementary care modality.
Qi Gong:
Most people have not ever
heard of qi gong, but individuals who are conscious of and sensitive to their
energy flow may find this modality very beneficial. Qi Gong, like yoga, uses
dynamic postures and focused breathing in order to move energy along specific
meridian channels on the body. Visit the National Qigong Association at www.nqa.org for more information.
Moxibustion:
Artemesia Vulgaris, or
“Moxa”, is an herb that grows in China, California, and other locations on
similar latitudes. Moxa is used regularly by TCM practitioners in order to treat yang deficiencies
throughout the body. Moxa can be dried, rolled up into balls, and burned in a
room to be diffused, or actually burned on the skin on specific acupressure
points. In TCM, moxa warms what is cold. Moxa should NOT
be used when the body is experiencing too much heat, which sometimes occurs with
cancers. For example, moxa is contraindicated for high blood pressure and
burning overactive tumors.
Cupping:
Cups are used for a
wide-range of conditions. Most recently, professional athletes around the world
have used cups in order to maintain circulation and performance-level muscle tension;
however, cupping will usually be contraindicated for cancer treatment. While it
does draw out yang heat, the effects on the body’s fragile elimination systems
may uphold contraindication.
Citings:
American Cancer Society
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
Online Medical Dictionary
Oriental Healing Arts Center
of Alaska
(class notes)
Traditional Acupuncture: The Law of the Five Elements,
2nd Edition
Dianne M. Connelly, PH.D.
