Oncology Integrative

By Mari Galle, DACM, Lac Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Licensed Acupuncturist Cancer Care Rehab Austin

Relief from symptoms related to cancer treatment? And it’s not invasive? And it can make a patient or survivor feel better to boot? Yes please!

These are just some of the reasons integrative oncology has come into its own. As anyone reading this magazine well knows, nothing about life with cancer is linear. Even when active treatment ends, there is no finish line. And regardless of where you are on the care continuum, you tend to live with a host of symptoms, some that appear during active treatment, others many years later. Why settle with discomfort when there are complementary therapies that can make a meaningful difference?

A quick primer about what integrative oncology is all about.

You have a team of practitioners - think every speciality from physical therapists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, registered dieticians, estheticians, counselors, reflexologists, physical fitness instructors, mind-body therapists and aromatherapists - and they’ve all got a concentrated training in oncology care. This cadre of providers will work with your traditional medical oncology team with a singular goal in mind - to help you feel your best.

When should I receive integrative oncology services?

It really depends on when you feel ready. From a practical standpoint, a patient or survivor can receive integrative oncology services at any point of the cancer journey, be it at diagnosis, during active treatment and into remission. One of the ancillary benefits of integrative oncology is the connection and camaraderie it fosters. There is such a boost that can come from connecting with specialists who help you feel understood and supported .

How do I find a practitioner who has advanced training in working with oncology patients?

Definitely do your research here! It is so important to find practitioners with advanced training in oncology care. Tear out this article or screenshot it on your phone, so you can quickly skim the specialty areas that may work for your needs. These concentrations all require advanced training and certifications, so you’ll want to verify that anyone you are considering meets those criteria.

Does health insurance cover integrative oncology services?

In recent years, health insurance has started to cover various integrative oncology services. Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage and nutrition therapy may be covered based on an individual’s insurance plan and the practitioner’s decision whether to take insurance. Many times, if practitioners do not take insurance, they will provide a detailed receipt or ‘superbill’ for you to submit to your insurance company. It is also possible to use a flex spending account or health service account when utilizing these services. Be sure to ask your practitioner for more information!

Different

Physical Therapy

Strength and range of motion

Balance and gait training

Scar and tissue tightness and restriction

Pain, endurance, balance issues and fatigue

Axillary web syndrome (cording)

Pre-operative mobility assessment

Individualized post-operative exercise programs

Acupuncture

Pain

Fatigue

Nausea, Vomiting

Peripheral Neuropathy

Stress, Anxiety, Depression

Hot flashes

Insomnia

Constipation & Diarrhea

Cognitive function/mental clarity

Are there any tools or practices that patients and caregivers can do at home to help mitigate symptoms and side effects?

Absolutely! Food therapy, acupressure, exercise and meditation as well as lifestyle modifications can make a significant difference in symptoms that affect quality of life.

Food Therapy: The concept of using foods to help manage symptoms. For example, ginger or peppermint can be helpful with nausea.

Acupressure: Applying gentle pressure with two fingers or thumb for 30 seconds to 1 minute on specific acupuncture points that have been shown to help certain symptoms. Exercise and Meditation: Research shows that home exercises like qi gong, tai chi and yoga can help with energy, neuropathy and balance.

I look forward to sharing specific acupressure, food therapy and exercise protocols with this community in future articles!

How to find an integrative oncology

practitioner near you: Society for Integrative Oncology has an international database of practitioners who are members: https://integrativeonc.org/public-directory

The Society for Integrative Oncology also has a wealth of information for patients and caregivers: https://integrativeonc.org/

practitioners and what they treat.

Massage

Pain

Anxiety, stress

Nausea

Peripheral Neuropathy

Swelling

Fatigue

Nutrition

Malnutrition

Fatigue

Digestive issues:

Acid Reflux, Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, Diarrhea

Aromatherapy

Digestive Issues

Stress

Fatigue

Sleep issues

Cognitive function

Emotional imbalances

Esthetics

Inflammation and redness

Itching and irritation

Dry skin

Supports integrity of the skin barrier

Exercise and Mind-Body Practices

Fatigue

Muscle Weakness

Stress and Anxiety

Depression

Neuropathy