Acupuncture for theCancer Patient

Acupuncture for theCancer Patient

An Integrative Approach From

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Danee Barnett, AP, DOM

An Integrative Approach From

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Danee Barnett, AP, DOM

How does Acupuncture work?How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture is a complex branch of ancient Chinese medicine that has been successfully practiced for over 2,500 years, but its practical principles and methods are easily understood.

Acupuncture is a complex branch of ancient Chinese medicine that has been successfully practiced for over 2,500 years, but its practical principles and methods are easily understood.

Fourteen major energy channels called meridians course through the human body

including the head, arms, hands, feet, torso and internal organs.

A subtle energy called Qi (pronounced chee)

circulates via these meridians to all parts of the body,

even the most remote cells.

Fourteen major energy channels called meridians course through the human body

including the head, arms, hands, feet, torso and internal organs.

A subtle energy called Qi (pronounced chee)

circulates via these meridians to all parts of the body,

even the most remote cells.

Qi is the vital force, the presence of which separates

the living from the dead. Its balanced, unimpeded flow

is critical to sound health.

Qi is the vital force, the presence of which separates

the living from the dead. Its balanced, unimpeded flow

is critical to sound health.

Qi flows through each

of us like a river, energizing,

nourishing and supporting every

cell, tissue, muscle, organ and

gland.

Qi flows through each

of us like a river, energizing,

nourishing and supporting every

cell, tissue, muscle, organ and

gland.

Any misdirection, blockage, or other derangement of the amount, flow or

balance of Qi may result in pain, dysfunction and ill health.

Any misdirection, blockage, or other derangement of the amount, flow or

balance of Qi may result in pain, dysfunction and ill health.

These imbalances can be caused byThese imbalances can be caused by

Stress Trauma

Accidents Improper Diet

Strain Surgery

Stress Trauma

Accidents Improper Diet

Strain Surgery

With acupuncture needles, I stimulate specific points

(acupuncture points) along the course of the meridians.

Such stimulation helps restore the normal balance and flow of Qi so organs and bodily systems can work together in harmony as intended

With acupuncture needles, I stimulate specific points

(acupuncture points) along the course of the meridians.

Such stimulation helps restore the normal balance and flow of Qi so organs and bodily systems can work together in harmony as intended

Acupuncture was initiated at Sloan-Kettering in 1999

Approximately 1400 outpatients per month are treated with acupuncture

Inpatient services are offered free of charge

Acupuncture was initiated at Sloan-Kettering in 1999

Approximately 1400 outpatients per month are treated with acupuncture

Inpatient services are offered free of charge

In addition to acupuncture, other integrative therapies offered include:

In addition to acupuncture, other integrative therapies offered include:

Touch Therapies Fitness

Mind-Body Meditation Music Therapy

Nutritional Counseling

Touch Therapies Fitness

Mind-Body Meditation Music Therapy

Nutritional Counseling

Although many Chinese herbal formulas may help in cancer treatment they are are NOT used at MSKCC during chemotherapy because there has not been enough research to determine if

they help or hinder the effects of chemo

Although many Chinese herbal formulas may help in cancer treatment they are are NOT used at MSKCC during chemotherapy because there has not been enough research to determine if

they help or hinder the effects of chemo

Alternative vs. ComplementaryAlternative vs. Complementary

Alternative Therapies

Promoted for use INSTEAD of mainstream care

Many are biologically invasive Costly, potentially harmful

Alternative Therapies

Promoted for use INSTEAD of mainstream care

Many are biologically invasive Costly, potentially harmful

Complementary Therapies

Used WITH mainstream

care for cancer Non-invasive Inexpensive, safe and beneficial

Complementary Therapies

Used WITH mainstream

care for cancer Non-invasive Inexpensive, safe and beneficial

Complementary Therapies

Complementary Therapies

Used WITH mainstream care for cancer Non-invasive inexpensive, safe and beneficial Effectively reduce side effects Enable self-care and control Enhance well-being and quality of life Reduce fear, distress, depression, anxiety Safe, non-invasive, inexpensive and easy to use

Used WITH mainstream care for cancer Non-invasive inexpensive, safe and beneficial Effectively reduce side effects Enable self-care and control Enhance well-being and quality of life Reduce fear, distress, depression, anxiety Safe, non-invasive, inexpensive and easy to use

How is Acupuncture usedat Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center?

How is Acupuncture usedat Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center?

Acupuncture for Surgical Patients(pre-surgery)

Acupuncture for Surgical Patients(pre-surgery)

promotes relaxation prevents infection shortens recovery time less post-op pain optimum time of treatment is 2 days before surgery

promotes relaxation prevents infection shortens recovery time less post-op pain optimum time of treatment is 2 days before surgery

Acupuncture for Surgical Patients(post-surgery)

Acupuncture for Surgical Patients(post-surgery)

less swelling less pain improves mental alertness improves intestinal mobility and urination shortens recovery time promotes incision healing optimum time of acupuncture treatment: 2 days post surgery, 1 week post surgery and 2 weeks post surgery

less swelling less pain improves mental alertness improves intestinal mobility and urination shortens recovery time promotes incision healing optimum time of acupuncture treatment: 2 days post surgery, 1 week post surgery and 2 weeks post surgery

Acupuncture for Radiation PatientsAcupuncture for Radiation Patients

reduces fatigue helps anemia increases white blood cell count helps nausea and vomiting stops diarrhea helps burns decreases hair loss can help with infertility due to treatment

reduces fatigue helps anemia increases white blood cell count helps nausea and vomiting stops diarrhea helps burns decreases hair loss can help with infertility due to treatment

Acupuncture for Chemotherapy Patients

Acupuncture for Chemotherapy Patients

Helps nausea and vomiting decreases hair loss helps fatigue and shortness of breath strengthen immune system Increases appetite Helps red and white blood cell counts stops diarrhea helps neuropathy optimum time of acupuncture treatment is 1-2 hours

before treatment and 24 hours after treatment. If only one treatment is possible, treat before chemo.

Helps nausea and vomiting decreases hair loss helps fatigue and shortness of breath strengthen immune system Increases appetite Helps red and white blood cell counts stops diarrhea helps neuropathy optimum time of acupuncture treatment is 1-2 hours

before treatment and 24 hours after treatment. If only one treatment is possible, treat before chemo.

What Causes Cancer?What Causes Cancer? Genetics Exposure to harmful elements Lack of protective elements Bad habits CHANCE

notes: tobacco, carcinogens in food and environment

UV protection, exercise, obesity

Genetics Exposure to harmful elements Lack of protective elements Bad habits CHANCE

notes: tobacco, carcinogens in food and environment

UV protection, exercise, obesity

One Third of Cancers

Are Preventable with Lifestyle

One Third of Cancers

Are Preventable with Lifestyle

Research at Sloan-Ketteringshows us many things we can do

ourselves to help avoid a recurrence of cancer

Research at Sloan-Ketteringshows us many things we can do

ourselves to help avoid a recurrence of cancer

BE PRO-ACTIVE!BE PRO-ACTIVE!

EXERCISE INCREASES SURVIVAL

(and it’s never too late to start)

EXERCISE INCREASES SURVIVAL

(and it’s never too late to start)

EXERCISE AND BREAST CANCEREXERCISE AND BREAST CANCER

50-60% increase in survivorship seen with regular physical fitness

Nurse Health Study: 2987 Nurses with breast cancer decreased their

risk of death from breast cancer by 50-60% by exercising more than 9 hours per week vs. less than 3 hours per week.

50-60% increase in survivorship seen with regular physical fitness

Nurse Health Study: 2987 Nurses with breast cancer decreased their

risk of death from breast cancer by 50-60% by exercising more than 9 hours per week vs. less than 3 hours per week.

EXERCISE AND COLON CANCEREXERCISE AND COLON CANCER

832 stage III colon cancer patients receiving chemotherapy Reported physical activities 6 month

completion of chemotherapy 51% decreased risk of dying from colon

cancer for 18-26.9 hours/week vs. less than 3 hours/week

832 stage III colon cancer patients receiving chemotherapy Reported physical activities 6 month

completion of chemotherapy 51% decreased risk of dying from colon

cancer for 18-26.9 hours/week vs. less than 3 hours/week

EXERCISE AND CANCER IN GENERALEXERCISE AND CANCER IN GENERAL

55% decreased risk for 27+ hours/week exercise

The benefit is not significantly modified by sex, body mass index, number of lymph nodes involved, age, baseline performance status or chemotherapy received

55% decreased risk for 27+ hours/week exercise

The benefit is not significantly modified by sex, body mass index, number of lymph nodes involved, age, baseline performance status or chemotherapy received

Exerciseis HugeExerciseis Huge

JUST DO IT!

Guidelines for Physical Fitnessfor most Cancer Patients and Survivors

Guidelines for Physical Fitnessfor most Cancer Patients and Survivors

• Do continuous or intermittent aerobic exercise 20-60 minutes 3-5x/wk

• Do anabolic exercise 6-12 reps and 1-4 sets of each exercise for major muscle groups 1-3 x/wk

•Do flexibility exercises for major muscle groups 2-4 sets each exercise 2-3x/wk (i.e. Yoga, Qi Gong, Tai Chi)

Diet Recommendationsfrom Sloan-Kettering

Diet Recommendationsfrom Sloan-Kettering

The Mediterranean DietThe Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean Diet BenefitsMediterranean Diet Benefits

• Analysis of 1.5+ million patients

• Greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet has 9% reduction in overall mortality

• 9% reduction in cardio-vascular mortality

• 6% reduction in cancer mortality

• 13% decreased incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s

What’s in the Diet?What’s in the Diet?

• 3-5 serving of fresh fruits/day

• 2-5 servings of fresh vegetables/day

• 2+ Proteins/day (fish, legumes, nuts, etc.)

• WHOLE GRAINS (whole wheat, brown rice etc.)

• Extra virgin olive oil rather than (NOT in addition to) butter or margarine

Eat This!Eat This!

Nutritional Supplement Recommendations

from Sloan-Kettering

Nutritional Supplement Recommendations

from Sloan-Kettering

• 20+ billion dollars are spent each year in the USA on vitamins and nutritional supplements• Anti-oxidants are highly marketed and are of uncertain benefit• Wheat Grass, Gogi, Noni, Acai, Pomegranate, Green Tea, Reveratrol, Vitamins A, C and E have not proven to be of any real benefit

• 20+ billion dollars are spent each year in the USA on vitamins and nutritional supplements• Anti-oxidants are highly marketed and are of uncertain benefit• Wheat Grass, Gogi, Noni, Acai, Pomegranate, Green Tea, Reveratrol, Vitamins A, C and E have not proven to be of any real benefit

HIGH LEVELS OF ANTI-OXIDENTS

PROTECT CANCER CELLS AS WELL AS

HEALTHY CELLS!

HIGH LEVELS OF ANTI-OXIDENTS

PROTECT CANCER CELLS AS WELL AS

HEALTHY CELLS!

Don’t waste your money on supplements, just eat good,

healthy food as per the Mediterranean Diet.

Don’t waste your money on supplements, just eat good,

healthy food as per the Mediterranean Diet.

There are however, 2 supplements that

Sloan-Kettering Recommends.

There are however, 2 supplements that

Sloan-Kettering Recommends.

VITAMIN D 1000-2000 IU Daily

VITAMIN D 1000-2000 IU Daily

• Most people are vitamin D deficient

• Minimal vitamin D is obtained from food sources (80 oz. of milk needed to get sufficient D)

• Improved outcomes from lung, breast, and colorectal cancer with sufficient vitamin D levels

• Sufficient D levels cut risk of colorectal cancer

by 50%

Calcium1000-1500 mg/day

Calcium1000-1500 mg/day

• Calcium Citrate is helpful for colon cancer, prostate cancer and osteoporosis• Calcium / Magnesium combo prevents constipation

• Calcium Citrate is the most bio available

• Take with food - only 500 mg. at a time

SummarySummary

• Eat healthy food, not supplements• Eat mostly plants• Be physically active every day• Stay as lean as possible without being underweight• Take your Calcium and Vitamin D

Mind-Body MeditationMind-Body Meditation

Sloan-Kettering has patients listen to audio recordings that help visualize the cancer being destroyed.

SEE them orbiting

FEEL them sticking to the problem

HEAR them buzzing as they do their work

SMELL and TASTE the energy they are creating

MAKE IT REAL

SEE the electric blue liquid light energy

FEEL it flowing through you

HEAR it cascading

SMELL and TASTE its refreshing qualities

MAKE IT REAL

TrustTrustYourYour

InstinctsInstincts