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Cancer

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Cancer, it’s a diagnosis that no one wants to hear. It can leave you feeling frightened, uncertain, and powerless. But if you or a loved one is facing cancer, it’s important to have hope. In many cases, cancer can be cured, especially when it’s detected early. There are more treatments available now than ever before to cure cancer or slow it from spreading, relieve its symptoms, and help you live a healthier life.

It’s also important to know that you have options in addition to standard medical therapies. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of conditions. It can safely be used to naturally support your body and mind as you undergo conventional cancer treatments.

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Understanding treatments and their side effects

Cancer is an overall term for a group of diseases that occur when cells begin to reproduce abnormally, eventually damaging or killing healthy tissue. Most cancers are named according to where they begin in the body, and there are more than 100 different types. The most common are breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer.

Your treatment plan will be based on many factors, including the type and stage (how far it has spread) of the cancer and your overall health. While cancer treatments have proven to be effective, they do have serious side effects to take into account. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: Performed to remove the cancer if possible. Surgery may be used alone or along with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy.

Chemotherapy: The use of medications to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy generally lasts from 3 to 9 months, and can have side effects including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, early menopause, and hot flashes.

Radiation therapy: The use of high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Side effects generally include fatigue, hair loss, and skin darkening at the site of the treatment.

Biological therapy: This treatment works by boosting the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. Side effects depend on the specific type of therapy, but they can include rashes or swelling, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.

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How acupuncture and TCM can help?

Acupuncture and TCM have been used for thousands of years to maintain health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners work to treat imbalances in the body’s Qi, or vital energy, by inserting fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints.

Since acupuncture has few side effects, it can be safely used as a complement to conventional cancer treatments. In fact, in many cancer cases it’s recommended as a way to soothe and reduce side effects. According to the National Institutes of Health1, acupuncture has been found to be effective in relieving:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Post-surgical pain

Acupuncture and TCM can also help relieve stress, depression, and anxiety, which can greatly improve your quality of life during this challenging time.

In addition to acupuncture, your practitioner may also provide massage, acupressure, nutritional counseling, or an exercise program designed to help you stay as healthy as possible. He or she may also recommend herbal medicines or vitamin supplements.

Remember to always communicate with your health care providers about these and any other medications you take in order to avoid any drug interactions.

Treating the person, not just the disease Acupuncture practitioners take a holistic, or whole-body, approach to cancer care. This means that not only will your symptoms be considered, but also your lifestyle, emotional state, and overall health. Your whole being will be taken into account, not just the cancer. When you work with your practitioner to improve your health and relieve your side effects, you are not only helping yourself get the most from conventional treatments, you’re taking back the control of your own life.

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teresa shen

ceo/lead acupuncturist

dr. candace lou

acupuncturist

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Eastern Medical Center

Acupuncture | Cupping | Massage Therapy | Life and Wellness

5933 Coronado Lane Suite 100, Pleasanton, Ca, 94588

(925) 847-8889

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Eastern Medical Center

Acupuncture | Cupping | Massage Therapy | Life and Wellness

40000 FREMONT BLVD #E

FREMONT, Ca, 94538

(510) 683-0633

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Eastern Medical Center is the leading provider in the Bay Area for Acupuncture, Acupressure, Cupping, Seitai Senpo, Active Release Therapy, and Strech Therapy. Eastern Medical Center specializes in Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Cancer Care, Carpal Tunnel, Colds, Cosmetic Facelift, Flus, Depression, Diabetes, Insomnia, Headaches, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Multiple Sclerosis, Neck Pain, Pain Pregnancy, Premenstrual Syndrome, Stress.  Eastern Medical Center was founded in 1982 by Mason Shen.  In 2007, Mason Shen passed away and left his legacy to his daughter, Teresa Shen. Since then, Teresa Shen has revolutionized the practice of Acupuncture.  Eastern Medical Center began in Livermore and has moved to Pleasanton to a larger facility to handle the growth of Acupuncture.  She has continued to excel in her craft and has expanded again.  Eastern Medical Center currently serves Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Tracy, Mountain House, Castro Valley, San Leandro, Fremont, Union City, Newark, Milpitas, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Campbel, Alum Rock, Saratoga, mountain View, Los Altos,Palo Alto, Redwood City, Woodside, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Bruno and all of the San Francisco area. Eastern Medical Center is rated the best acupuncturist, acupressurist and herbalist on Yelp. Contents from Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Back Pain, Cancer Care, Carpal Tunnel, Colds, Cosmetic Facelift, Flus, Depression, Diabetes, Insomnia, Headaches, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Multiple Sclerosis, Neck Pain, Pain Pregnancy, Premenstrual Syndrome, Stress pages are from © Acupuncture Media Works. 866-696-7577. www.acupuncturemediaworks.com. Eastern Medical Center is currently in network with Medrisk, Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Shield of California, TriWest Healthcare, U.S. Department of Affairs, United States of America Department of Labor, and Sedgwick. Pleasanton Acupuncture. Livermore Acupuncture. Dublin Acupuncture. Acupuncture Pleasanton. Acupuncture Livermore. Acupuncture Dublin.

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