Why Try Acupuncture for Kidney Cancer?
In China, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners work in hospitals and clinics like our medical doctors do in the United States. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as are Chinese herbs.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner would rarely recommend using acupuncture without also using herbs. There is a significant bias in Western medicine that discredits the use of herbs in the treatment of kidney cancer, but acupuncture is still used for this treatment in the United States.
Approaches to Kidney Cancer
Treating the symptoms that are occurring or have occurred for those with kidney cancer is critical, from Western medical chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical procedures and then subsequently addressing the cancer itself.
Due to the complexity of kidney cancer, it’s best to forsake the idea that you can use acupressure on your own and don’t need an acupuncturist. Kidney cancer is life-threatening and only a trained professional will be suitable for determining what you need.
You might think that the Liver 3 point on the foot is okay to press and hold like other points for acupressure. This point is located on top of the foot between the big toe and the second toe, one thumb’s width down towards the middle of the foot. It’s called the Liver Detoxification Point. It would stand to reason that everyone with kidney cancer should use this acupuncture point because every cancer patient is thought to have a backup of liver functions.
However, it’s possible that a trained acupuncturist would only use the Liver 3 point after other points were used to cause some preliminary changes. There’s always a hierarchy of points in Chinese medicine, and an overlying pattern of treating a person with kidney cancer or any other type of cancer. All people are not treated alike in Chinese medicine.
Can Acupuncture Spread Cancer?
Some people worry that acupuncture can actually spread cancer. This has never been found to be true.
Acupuncture and the Medical Side Effects of Cancer Treatments
Acupuncture has been used for decades to ward off the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, constipation and/or diarrhea. If acupuncture treatment is started before the patient becomes too weak, it may prove to be very helpful.
One of the dangers of cancer treatments is a low white blood cell count, a low red blood cell count or low platelets. An immune system that is operating at low capacity is potentially life-threatening. Acupuncture may be used to boost immunity.
Another commonly experienced symptom of kidney cancer is neuropathy; a tingling sensation, numbness or even pain in the hands and feet. Acupuncture is effective at helping these types of symptoms.
Dry mouth is a common side effect for a patient is undergoing radiation. Radiation kills salivary gland cells and the patient ends up with a dry mouth. Acupuncture has been found to positively change 70 percent of those with experiencing dry mouth.
If you have kidney cancer, why not include a qualified practitioner of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture on your healthcare team? It may make all the difference in the world.