Acupuncture and Breast Cancer - How Can it Help? East West Healing

Acupuncture and Breast Cancer – How Can It Help?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is the time of year where we do our best to increase awareness of a disease that has infiltrated so many lives of those we know and love. We concentrate on raising funds to help with research, insight into the what causes the disease, how to prevent it, how to diagnose it, treatment and ultimately to one day, find a cure.

Every day we make new advances in finding a cure and new treatments that help. Acupuncture can be one of those treatments that help when fighting breast cancer.

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting sterile, hair-thin needles into specific points on the skin, called “acupuncture points,” and then gently moved. It is thought that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release natural painkillers and immune system cells to weakened areas of the body and relieve symptoms.

In some studies, it has been shown that acupuncture may help fight fatigue, control hot flashes, decrease nausea, reduce vomiting, assist with lack of appetite and ease pain. Take a look at each of these on their own and consider how acupuncture may help you or someone you may know suffering from cancer and the treatment of cancer.

Acupuncture for pain management:
Acupuncture can be an effective treatment for managing pain related to tumors, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and inflammation.

Acupuncture and the immune system:
Many cancers and cancer treatments can cause the suppression of bone marrow, the source of blood cells which boosts the immune system. It is thought that Acupuncture increases blood cell production and enhances Natural Killer Cells and Lymphocytes which leads to increased immune response and decreased risk of infection.

Inflammation:
Cancer and some of its treatments can cause inflammation. Acupuncture can reduce the pain and swelling related to inflammation.

Nausea and Vomiting:
Acupuncture may reduce the intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Hot Flashes
Acupuncture may decrease the frequency and intensity of hot flashes for breast cancer patients.

There are no harmful side effects of acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture can feel different from person to person. Some people have reported feeling relaxed or even energized. These feelings can boost a person’s overall feeling of well being.

Directly after the first treatment, some people feel slightly disoriented, but this is usually brief. After treatment, avoid activities that require you to be extra alert, such as driving, mowing the lawn, or cooking.

About Dr. Marie Perkins
Dr. Marie Perkins, OTR/L, LMT, DOM, Dipl. Ac. is one of the most recognized practitioners in Palm Harbor as a “non-pharmaceutical” pain specialist.

Born and raised in Quebec City Canada, Dr. Perkins received her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy from University Laval in 1993.

Her passion led her to leave everything behind and immigrated to Florida in 1995. She proceeded with acquiring her Massage Therapy license from Bahkti Academy in 1999 and her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004.

Her goal for founding East West Healing Solutions was to be a pioneer in the community working at bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine. She has established strong partnership with Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, Pain Management Physicians, Doctors of Chiropractic, Rehabilitative Specialists, Athletic Directors, Coaches and Personal Injury Attorneys in the community proving not only that it can be done but also that a cohesive team approach is often the most efficient way to help a patient.

“Over the years I have continued to add to my knowledge in order to be able to help as many patients I possibly could. Most of the time, a joint effort from Western and Eastern Medicine is required to obtain optimal health. For that reason, patients should proactively seek a team of highly trained professionals in various fields, all working toward one common goal; the PATIENT’S best interest. Your health portfolio should be built with the same concepts as your financial portfolio; diversification is the key!, Dr. Marie Perkins tells her patients.”

East West Healing Solutions is located at:
34876 US Highway 19 N
Palm Harbor, FL 34684

Phone: 727-216-3972
Fax: 727-216-3982
Email: drmarie@eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3

Web: eastwesthealingsolutions.com/pp3

By Marie Perkins|2017-08-31T17:57:50+00:00October 5th, 2014|Blog|0 Comments

About the Author: Marie Perkins

Dr. Marie Perkins, OTR/L, LMT, DOM, Dipl. Ac. is one of the most recognized practitioners in Palm Harbor as a “non-pharmaceutical” pain specialist. She is the founder of East West Healing Solutions and is dedicated to helping patients enjoy optimum health. Born and raised in Quebec City Canada, Dr. Perkins received her Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy from University Laval in 1993. Her passion led her to leave everything behind and immigrated to Florida in 1995. She proceeded with acquiring her Massage Therapy license from Bahkti Academy in 1999 and her Master’s Degree in Oriental Medicine from the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2004. Her goal for founding East West Healing Solutions was to be a pioneer in the community working at bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine. She has established strong partnership with Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Neurologists, Pain Management Physicians, Doctors of Chiropractic, Rehabilitative Specialists, Athletic Directors, Coaches and Personal Injury Attorneys in the community proving not only that it can be done but also that a cohesive team approach is often the most efficient way to help a patient.. “Over the years I have continued to add to my knowledge in order to be able to help as many patients I possibly could. Most of the time, a joint effort from Western and Eastern Medicine is required to obtain optimal health. For that reason, patients should proactively seek a team of highly trained professionals in various fields, all working toward one common goal; the PATIENT’S best interest. Your health portfolio should be built with the same concepts as your financial portfolio; diversification is the key!, Dr. Marie Perkins tells her patients.” Aside from offering Traditional Acupuncture to Palm Harbor patients, her clinic also offers several other complementary treatments such as Herbal prescriptions, Cupping, Gua Sha, Moxibustion, Diathermia, Dry Aqua Massage, Cold Laser Therapy, Medical Massage and Postural Analysis among others. Dr. Perkins also develops customized, personal healing and health plans for each patient at East West Healing Solutions.