Oncology Support | Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine located in Coon Rapids, MN | Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture

ONCOLOGY SUPPORT make a comeback

ACUPUNCTURE FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER

One of the oldest healing practices in the world, acupuncture has a role in alleviating pain and other symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE COMPLIMENT YOUR CANCER TREATMENTS?

For many years, acupuncture has been accepted as an effective part of symptom control for patients with cancer in the following ways:

Help control pain
Relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy
Improve xerostomia (dry mouth sensation) caused by radiotherapy
Help improve neuropathy, the pain and numbness in the limbs caused by nerve damage during cancer treatment
Relieve fatigue, hot flushes, anxiety, depression, constipation and diarrhea
Can soften tissue and relieve pain from scarring and surgery
Enhance a patients' sense of well-being and relaxation

Mitigates Side Effects

Reduces the impact of cancer treatments and supplements what your body has lost

ONCOLOGY SUPPORT

Compliments Treatments

Improve your response to cancer treatments, leading to a positive remission and recovery

ONCOLOGY SUPPORT

Improves Circulation

To deliver vital oxygen, nutrients and immune cells to target areas for healing

We treat you, not just your cancer.

AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH MAY HELP CANCER SYMPTOMS & SIDE EFFECTS.

Anxiety & Mood Disorders

Mood disorders hinder the body's capacity to defend against foreign pathogens by weakening the immune system.

During a state of already weakened immunity while undergoing cancer treatment, a stable and calm emotional state is necessary to allow the body to recover.

Acupuncture facilitates the natural release of endorphins, the “feel good” chemicals, to regulate physical and emotional stress responses.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

Produces significant changes in the brain that regulate emotional states as measured by fMRI
Decreases fatigue
Reduces the physical and emotional impact of anxiety episodes on the body
Calms the nervous system

1. Walker, E., Rodriguez, A., Kohn, B., Ball, R., Pegg, J., Pocock, J., Nunez, R., Peterson, E., Jakary, S. and Levine, R., 2010. Acupuncture Versus Venlafaxine for the Management of Vasomotor Symptoms in Patients With Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28, pp.634-640.

Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy can negatively impact the quality of life of cancer sufferers. It can also cause delay or refusal for further therapy.

Antiemetic medications are commonly recommended for nausea and vomiting, however they also produce some side effects such as headaches, constipation and dry mouth.

Acupuncture provides an effective alternative with no side effects for the treatment of nausea and vomiting.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

Priming the gastrointestinal tract to better tolerate the toxicity of chemotherapy
Strengthen the digestive system to better receive food
Stimulates the secretion of endorphins

“Acupuncture appears beneficial in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting”
- Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Journal

1. Chao, L., Zhang, A., Liu, H., Cheng, M., Lam, H. and Lo, S., 2009. The efficacy of acupoint stimulation for the management of therapy-related adverse events in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 118(2), pp.255-267.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs as a result of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Salivary glands are damaged and the quality of the saliva becomes thicker and dryer.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

Facilitating the restoration of damaged mucosal cells
Regulating fluid imbalances
Increases circulation to salivary structures

“Neuroimaging studies have evaluated brain response to needle stimulation at locations applied for xerostomia (dry mouth) and found increased salivary flow”
- BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

1. Deng, G., Hou, B., Holodny, A. and Cassileth, B., 2008. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes and saliva production associated with acupuncture at LI-2 acupuncture point: a randomized controlled study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 8.

Hot Flushes

Hot flushes are a common complication experienced by women with breast cancer.

With steep bodily changes occurring during radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, Chinese Medicine is able to help restore homeostasis.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

Reduce severity and quantity of hot flush
Calms emotions
Balances the nervous system

“Acupuncture can increase estrogen or release calcitonin gene-related peptide, which was effective to reduce hot flushes”
- Journal of Clinical Oncology

Fatigue

Fatigue is due to both the cancer disease and any cancer treatments.

Which Chinese Medicine can address concurrently as TCM views the body as a whole.

Chinese Medicine assists the detoxification process from treatment byproducts by rebuilding cells - this leaves more energy for you physically, cognitively, and emotionally

“Measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory. Adding acupuncture to usual care improved scores significantly”
- National Cancer Institute

1. Zia, F., Olaku, O., Bao, T., Berger, A., Deng, G., & Yin Fan, A. et al. (2017). The National Cancer Institute’s Conference on Acupuncture for Symptom Management in Oncology: State of the Science, Evidence, and Research Gaps. JNCI Monographs, 2017(52).

Pain Management

Pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with cancer. It can arise from cancer lesions or from cancer treatments.

Chinese Medicine offers a non-invasive, opioid and anti-inflammatory drug-free approach to manage tumour-related pain and joint and muscle pain.

“An analysis results showed significant effects of acupuncture on prolonging the analgesic time”
- Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal

1. Hu, C., Zhang, H., Wu, W., Yu, W., Li, Y., Bai, J., Luo, B. and Li, S., 2016. Acupuncture for Pain Management in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is chronic pain caused by damaged nerves. It is different from pain signals that are carried along healthy nerves from damaged tissues.

Chinese Medicine assists by:

Improving blood flow
Reducing inflammation
Promotes nerve regeneration
Decreases hypersensitivity

“Descending inhibitory modulation may also be regulated by acupuncture to enable the modulation of pain”
- Brain Research Bulletin

1. Takeshige, C., Sato, T., Mera, T., Hisamitsu, T. and Fang, J., 1992. Descending pain inhibitory system involved in acupuncture analgesia. Brain Research Bulletin, 29, pp.617-634.

WE ARE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING SYMPTOMS & WELLBEING OF OUR PATIENTS.

We work closely with our patients, whether pre-cancer treatment, during treatment, in recovery or in the survival stage. Whatever your cancer journey or that of your loved one, we are here to give you options about how to manage your treatments and well-being with Integrative Oncology practices.

Our local Acupuncture Practitioner has undergone intensive training to be able to offer her patients the best Integrative Oncological Care North of the Twin Cities. She performs gentle and pain free treatments for her patients struggling with cancer pain and symptom management.

INITIAL CONSULTATION REQUIRED

An Initial Consultation with Dr. Kierstin Beaman is required to find out if you are a good candidate for our Oncology Program.

If you are determined to be a candidate, we can perform your first procedure the same day.

Schedule your Consultion Today!

Hi, I’m Dr. Kierstin Beaman from Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture.

I want to help you beat your cancer & support you in every way I can!

I’m one of the few Acupuncture & Chinese Medical Doctor's in Minnesota who specializes in Integrative Oncology. Not only have I been helping others just like you battle their cancer everyday, I have personally witnessed & helped my husband struggle, fight, & win his battle with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer.

You’ll get full support from our staff completely dedicated to you and your goal. We focus on you!

You do not need to fight this battle alone!

I look forward to helping you no matter where you are in your Oncology Journey.

-Dr. Kierstin