DAAN Chinese Herbs and Acupuncture

Acupuncture can sooth Chemo-Induced Neuropathic Pain and make chemo treatment more tolerable.

The major groups of drugs that induce CIPN include the taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and platinum compounds, Sven Schroeder, MD, from the HanseMerkur Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany, told Medscape Medical News.

“CIPN involves damage to the peripheral nervous system and can produce severe pain and gait impairment, and is often a reason for stopping chemotherapy with these agents,” Dr. Schroeder said.

Data from other studies published in English-language journals on acupuncture as a symptomatic treatment for CIPN have been limited to a few case studies, but they have all reported an improvement in symptoms. Additionally, a Chinese study found that acupuncture was more effective than cobamamide for the treatment of sensory symptoms in paclitaxel-induced CIPN, he said.

Acupuncture can ease side effects from chemotherapy and other cancer treatment.

Unconventional therapies, such as acupuncture and herbal treatment, can help relieve the side effects associated with cancer treatments and also prevent growth of cancer cells, an expert says.

Acupuncturist Dr. Aldrin Neilwan said that acupuncture was used to treat many illnesses and ailments but was mainly used to control pain, including cancer pain, and to help control nausea and vomiting.

“Acupuncture may relieve spikes in body temperature and other side effects of cancer treatments, as well as pain following surgery,” he said during his presentation at Dharmais Cancer Hospital in West Jakarta recently.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. It typically incorporates the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicine as an integral part of its practices and theories.

Acupuncture has made cancer patients lessen the pain and discomfort from chemotherapy.

It’s the last thing a child wants — a needle, actually multiple needles. But a young cancer patient says it’s exactly the shot she needs to get through treatment.

Kahla Harper, Cancer Patient: “The first couple of times, you don’t want to do it at all.”

Kahla Harper recalls the first time she went through chemotherapy.

Paul Kent, Pediatric Oncologist, Rush University Medical Center: “In general, kids handle it, chemotherapy and radiation, better than adults on the one hand. On the other hand, we give much higher doses than our adult counterparts and much more intense therapies.”

And it takes a toll … in the form of anxiety, nausea and fatigue. Then after months of treatment Kahla’s bone cancer spread to her lungs. Now she needs more chemo. But this time doctors suggested something new.

Kahla Harper: “Get poked and prodded with enough so it was like, now I’m gonna volunteer myself to get poked and prodded.”

But after a little prodding and some educating, Kahla decided to try acupuncture.

Kahla Harper: “I didn’t jump off the table like I thought I would.”

Side effects of cancer treatment are the main reason adults run away. Acupuncture is proven in studies to help ease the experience. So now at Rush University Medical Center, they are trying it on kids.

Angela Johnson, Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Rush Cancer Integrative Medicine Program: “Without a doubt acupuncture, at the very least, helps patients feel more relaxed, less stressed and less anxious.”

Kahla Harper: “I felt really good afterwards. I can’t explain the feeling but it was kinda like ‘whooo.’ Like you feel not so stressed out, not so worried about things.”