Cancer Care: Support for Your Body, Mind, and Healing Journey
Hearing the word cancer can feel overwhelming. It can bring fear, uncertainty, and a loss of control—especially in the early days after diagnosis. While cancer is a serious condition, many people today live longer and fuller lives thanks to earlier detection and advances in medical care. There are more effective treatments than ever to slow disease progression, manage symptoms, and support overall quality of life.
Alongside conventional cancer treatments, many people also seek natural cancer support to help their bodies cope physically and emotionally. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are commonly used as part of integrative cancer care, working alongside and not instead of standard medical treatment.
Understanding Cancer Treatments and Their Side Effects
Cancer is a group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and damage healthy tissue. There are over 100 types of cancer, often named for where they begin in the body, such as breast, lung, colon, prostate, or skin cancer.
Treatment plans vary depending on cancer type, stage, and overall health, and may include:
- Surgery, to remove cancerous tissue when possible
- Chemotherapy, which uses medications to destroy or slow cancer cells
- Radiation therapy, which targets cancer cells with high-energy radiation
- Immunotherapy or biological therapies, which help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells
While these treatments can be life-saving, they often come with side effects such as fatigue, nausea, pain, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and digestive issues (National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2024).
Whole-Person Support During Cancer Treatment
In addition to acupuncture, care may also include:
- Acupressure or therapeutic bodywork
- Nutritional and lifestyle guidance
- Gentle movement or breathing practices
- Stress-reduction support
Your care is always coordinated with your medical team, and open communication about medications, supplements, and treatments is essential to avoid interactions and ensure safety.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Supporting the Body’s Strength
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, cancer support focuses on strengthening the body’s ability to heal and recover. This approach is often described by the principles of Fu Zheng Gu Ben, which means supporting the body’s core strength and resilience.
Rather than targeting disease alone, TCM aims to:
- Support immune function and recovery
- Improve circulation and energy flow
- Reduce inflammation and stagnation
- Restore balance between physical, emotional, and mental health
This whole-person approach is especially helpful during cancer treatment, when the body is under significant stress.
How Acupuncture Can Support Cancer Care
Acupuncture for cancer support has been widely studied and is commonly used in integrative oncology settings. Research shows acupuncture may help reduce treatment-related side effects and improve quality of life when used alongside conventional care.
According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture has been shown to help manage:
- Chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Post-surgical pain
- Anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances
(National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health [NCCIH], 2023)
More recent reviews and clinical guidelines support acupuncture as a safe complementary therapy for symptom relief in people undergoing cancer treatment (Garcia et al., 2013; Rossi et al., 2021).
Importantly, acupuncture is non-invasive, drug-free, and generally well tolerated, making it a gentle option for people navigating cancer treatment.
Treating the Person, Not Just the Diagnosis
Cancer care is about more than treating disease, it’s about supporting you. A holistic approach considers your physical symptoms, emotional well-being, stress levels, and overall lifestyle. By addressing the whole person, integrative cancer care helps you feel more supported, more resilient, and more empowered throughout your healing journey.
If you’re looking for acupuncture for cancer support in Charleston, SC, this approach may help ease side effects, support recovery, and improve quality of life while you continue with your medical treatment plan.
References:
- Garcia, M. K., McQuade, J., Haddad, R., Patel, S., Lee, R., Yang, P., Palmer, J. L., & Cohen, L. (2013). Systematic Review of Acupuncture in Cancer Care: A Synthesis of the Evidence. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(7), 952–960. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2012.43.5818
- Rossi, C., Maggiore, C., Rossi, M. M., Filippone, A., Guarino, D., Di Micco, A., Forcina, L., & Magno, S. (2021). A model of an integrative approach to breast cancer patients. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 20, 15347354211040826. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354211040826
- Side effects of cancer treatment. (2024). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects
- Acupuncture: effectiveness and safety. (2023). NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-effectiveness-and-safety
