INTEGRATIVE ONCOLOGY

Erin works with cancer patients throughout the treatment process and into survivorship. Typically, upon diagnosis, we begin helping you prepare your body for cancer treatment—whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy.

We use acupuncture to minimize the side effects of cancer treatments and to maintain homeostasis, or metabolic balance, within the body. Acupuncture has been shown to be clinically helpful in managing cancer-related pain and joint pain induced by aromatase inhibitors. There is a growing body of evidence that acupuncture may also be effective in addressing other therapy-related side effects, such as fatigue, postoperative pain, vasomotor symptoms, and nausea and vomiting.

No herbs or supplements are used during systemic cancer treatments due to the potential for interactions with medications.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Before your first session, please email any relevant diagnostic summaries (written reports, not the scans themselves), treatment plan details and dates, and your most recent bloodwork.

During the first 75-minute session, we will review your treatment plan, determine the timing of acupuncture sessions, and discuss your health history. I will assess your pulse on both sides to evaluate the balance between organ systems and examine your tongue—these diagnostics provide insight into your current state of health. We will perform acupuncture, and may treat both the front and back of your body depending on how far out you are from surgery or whether you have a port. Side-lying is a comfortable option if back treatment is needed.

Follow-up sessions may be 45 or 60 minutes, depending on your needs.

Please ensure you have eaten something before your acupuncture treatment.

If you have any questions, please email Lisa