Integrative medicine combines conventional medical care with evidence-informed complementary therapies, accounting for the physical, emotional, and lifestyle factors that affect a person’s health. Oncology support services apply this approach to people with cancer. These comprehensive oncology services may include acupuncture, nutrition counseling, massage, mind-body practices, and specialized therapies. They do not replace standard cancer treatments, but instead, they work alongside a patient’s oncology plan to help address side effects and daily comfort. Here’s more information on comprehensive oncology support and what services may work for your cancer-related symptoms:
The Benefits of Comprehensive Support
Cancer care involves several phases, and each phase brings different needs. Before treatment begins, integrative providers may focus on preparation support. This oncology support commonly includes nutrition planning, physical conditioning, and stress management techniques that help patients establish a steady routine. Integrative services can work alongside medical care to help manage people’s needs. During active treatment, patients may experience fatigue, nausea, pain, sleep problems, or anxiety.
Integrative medicine services can help reduce symptoms and provide comprehensive support during and after cancer treatments. After cancer treatment ends, recovery brings its own concerns; some people continue to have lingering side effects such as:
- Neuropathy
- Joint Pain
- Energy Level Changes
Integrative care during this phase may emphasize rehabilitation, movement, and long-term wellness habits. Comprehensive support gives patients a consistent point of contact through each stage of care.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago and involves inserting fine needles at specific points on the body. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that these points lie along pathways called meridians, which carry the body’s energy, or qi. Current research suggests that needle stimulation may activate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, influencing how the body processes pain signals. To provide oncology support, a licensed acupuncturist may use traditional acupuncture or electroacupuncture, depending on the patient’s needs.
Traditional acupuncture relies on manual needle placement, while electroacupuncture connects the needles to a device that delivers a mild electrical current. Practitioners may recommend acupuncture for patients experiencing treatment-related nausea, fatigue, or pain. Electroacupuncture is often beneficial for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a condition that can cause numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet. Clinical trials continue to study electroacupuncture for CIPN, as results vary among patients. Patients should talk with their oncologist before starting acupuncture, especially if they have low blood counts or an elevated risk of infection.
Dry needling is a separate practice from acupuncture, and it was developed in Western medicine. Physical therapists and other trained clinicians perform dry needling based on anatomy rather than traditional Chinese medicine energy points. This technique targets myofascial trigger points, which are tight bands of tissue within muscles, aiming to stimulate a healing reaction. Acupuncture, by contrast, addresses the body as a whole system through mapped points along energy meridians.
The Benefits of Specialized Therapies
Depending on someone’s oncology care plan, an integrative specialist may recommend specialized therapy options to promote healing and improve blood oxygenation. Terahertz therapy uses electromagnetic waves in the terahertz frequency range, which falls between microwave and infrared light to support circulation and cellular activity. Scientific research on terahertz therapy in cancer care is limited, so patients should discuss this option with their care team before scheduling sessions. Ozone therapy is another specialized therapy option that introduces a mixture of ozone and oxygen gas into the body, often administered through the blood, the skin, or other routes.
Get Timely Oncology Support
Because oncology support services may be added at any stage of cancer care, an integrative medicine provider helps support your cancer-related needs. Early planning gives your care team time to coordinate therapies with your treatment schedule. An integrative medicine provider can review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and explain which services fit your needs. To learn more about supporting your health needs, contact an integrative medicine facility near you.
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