Chinese Medicine as an Adjunctive Therapy for Cancer Treatment

The history of Chinese medicine in the treatment of cancer has spanned several thousands of years throughout Asia. In recent years, Chinese medicine is noted as an effective adjunctive therapy when used in conjunction with conventional oncology. It is used extensively not only to manage side effects of conventional cancer therapies but also to increase and support the patient’s immune system in combating the disease. Chinese medicine is a complete medical system currently serving about a quarter of the world’s population.

The modalities of Chinese medicine in cancer therapy include: acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, and Chi Gong/energy enhancement exercise. Chinese medicine has helped patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments avoid or recover from nausea, vomiting, gastric distress, nerve damage, muscle and joint pain, fatigue and dizziness much quickly as compared to no supportive measures at all.

National Institute of Health has sponsored research which has confirmed that acupuncture is indeed effective for the relief of nausea, gastric distress and pain. Herbal medicine plays an important role in increasing or regulating the production of white and red blood cells and platelets. Therapeutic nutrition uses food as medicine to help nourish the body during the harsh assaults of the therapies while attacking the cancer cells indirectly. Chi Gong, a type of moving meditation, helps one restore a sense of well-being and balance while increasing one’s level of energy and vitality.

When used in careful coordination with conventional cancer therapy, Chinese medicine can increase a patient’s quality of life while safely and effectively reducing side effects from his or her treatments, thereby, furthering the chance of success in conquering the disease.