integrative oncology

Royal Recovery Meets Ancient Wisdom: How Traditional Chinese Medicine Supports Cancer Healing – Vol 1

“You put on a brave face... but afterwards is the hardest phase.” — Princess Kate
As seen in People, Daily Mail, and The Sun

When Princess Kate recently revealed she turned to acupuncture during her cancer recovery — the world took notice. But for practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s a well-known integrative approach that helps thousands of patients worldwide manage cancer and its side effects more naturally.

At Grand Meridian Clinic, we are proud to offer this powerful system of healing, rooted in centuries of wisdom and increasingly backed by modern science.

Clinically, many patients seek acupuncture to address numbness and pain in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Just as the NCCN recommends, cancer-related acupuncture can effectively relieve side effects of Western treatments — including pain, numbness, and gastrointestinal discomfort — while also boosting immunity and improving quality of life.

In TCM, common cancer-related symptoms fall under Qi deficiency, Yang deficiency, and exhaustion syndromes. Treatment focuses on tonifying Qi and warming Yang. During chemo or radiation, symptoms often shift toward Heat or Toxic patterns, leading to complex combinations like excess-deficiency, or Qi stagnation with Spleen deficiency. Diagnosis and treatment must be personalized by a trained TCM practitioner.

🌿 What Does the Science Say?

According to NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines, acupuncture is recommended as a supportive therapy for:

✅ Pain relief
✅ Fatigue reduction
✅ Nausea and vomiting control

Many cancer patients also seek help for numbness in hands and feet (neuropathy) — a side effect acupuncture is especially effective in easing.

 

🌿 Common Symptoms Acupuncture & Herbs Can Help With:

  • Post-surgical pain

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort

  • Dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, or diarrhea

  • Mouth ulcers, difficulty opening the mouth

  • Cancer cachexia (weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue)

  • Cancer-related pain and emotional exhaustion

Through acupuncture, herbal formulas, moxibustion, cupping, and Tui Na massage, TCM provides targeted support through each phase of cancer care.

💡 Benefits of Acupuncture for Cancer Support

1️⃣   Powerful Pain Relief
Comparable to morphine — but without side effects like constipation or dependency.

2️⃣   Eases Nausea & Digestive Upset
Especially helpful when started on the first day of chemotherapy.

3️⃣   Emotional & Sleep Support
Acupuncture boosts dopamine, calms stress, and improves sleep quality.

4️⃣   Immune Strengthening
Stimulates B cells and increases immunoglobulins, according to studies.
31% of chemo patients reported reduced fatigue after acupuncture.

🌀 TCM Treatment by Stage

🔹 Early Stage: Focus on eliminating toxins and supporting detox pathways (phlegm, dampness, blood stagnation).
🔹 Middle Stage: Combine strengthening Qi with clearing toxins.
🔹 Late Stage: Tonify deficiencies, reduce fatigue, and improve quality of life (e.g., with moxa therapy).

⚠️ Important Safety Guidelines

✔ Avoid needling directly into tumor sites
✔ Use gentle distal techniques
✔ Patients with severe clotting issues should be evaluated
✔ If bloodwork is abnormal, start with herbal tonics before acupuncture

Afraid of needles? We also offer:

  • Moxibustion 🔥

  • Ear seeds 🎯

  • Cupping & Gua Sha

  • Acupressure & massage

  • Tube-guided acupuncture for minimal discomfort

🌼 Self-Care Acupoints You Can Try at Home

✔ For Energy Boost: Baihui (DU20), Zusanli (ST36)

✔ For Pain Relief: Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LV3), Fengchi (GB20), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV12)

✔ For Hypochondriac Pain: Yanglingquan (GB34), Qiuxu (GB40), Qimen (LR14), Zhigou (TH6), Zusanli (ST36), Taichong (LR3), Xingjian (LR2)

✔ For Nausea: Geshu (BL17), Neiguan (PC6), Pishu (BL20)

✔ For Poor Appetite: Zusanli (ST36), Weishu (BL21), Zhongwan (CV12), Neiguan (PC6), Taibai (SP3)

✔ For Indigestion: Zusanli (ST36), Pishu (BL20), Gongsun (SP4), Tianshu (ST25)

✔ For Insomnia: Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Anmian (Ex-HN16), Taiyuan (LU9), Gongsun (SP4), Yinbai (SP1), Feishu (BL13), Yanglingquan (GB34)

✔ For Palpitations: Ximen (PC4), Shenmen (HT7), Xinshu (BL15), Juque (CV14)

✔ For Low-Grade Fever: Dazhui (GV14), Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Shaoshang (LU11), Daling (PC7), Jianshi (PC5), Yongquan (KI1), Zusanli (ST36), Fuliu (KI7), Fenglong (ST40)

✔ For Thirst: Shanglianquan (Ex-HN21), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36)

✔ For Muscle Twitching: Yintang (Ex-HN3), Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), Hegu (LI4)

✔ For Diarrhea: Tianshu (ST25), Yinlingquan (SP9)

 

📝 Always consult with a licensed TCM practitioner before beginning treatment.

Why Choose Kamwo?

At Grand Meridian Clinic, we bring together modern medicine and timeless TCM wisdom. Whether you are undergoing chemotherapy, in remission, or supporting a loved one — we are here to help ease the journey.

 

Dr. Olivia Choi

L.Ac, DACM, MPH, MSBB, BPharm

Grand Meridian Clinic