The side effects of chemo and steroid infusions can wreck havoc on the body. Patients suffer from nausea, poor appetite, fatigue, brain fog, various neuropathies and lowered immunity. Steroidal infusions commonly cause agitation, and a a feeling of being “revved” up. Due to this excessive stimuli, sleep can be impaired and a state of calmness is difficult to attain.
The pattern for treating patients undergoing chemo therapy is most commonly Spleen Deficiency, which means the Spleen meridian is deficient, and does not signify that there is any problem with the actually organ. We place needles in the abdomen in the areas that are flaccid or tight/congested. Needles are inserted in corresponding intestinal points to ease nausea, and other G.I. problems. If there is brain fog, headaches, mental agitation, anxiety, or sleep difficulties, we place needles in various locations on the head; this facilitates the radiation of heat that has become stagnant. The abundance of heat stuck in the head is often the cause of various emotional/mental disorders. The sensation of heat in the chest, is often linked to anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. Often, I can sense this pathological heat even before palpating the chest. This is commonly seen in chemo patients.
If neuropathies are present in the limbs, needles are placed in points located on the legs, feet, arms, hands, and perhaps the low back or gluts if blockages are present. After the needles are removed, moxa may be used on the points where the needles were retained, if need be.
The next step is often tonification of the Spleen meridian, this is called a root treatment. In a root treatment we tonify the weak meridians and disperse the excess meridians. A root treatment is based upon a patient’s pathology, pulse, and abdominal findings. I am currently studying a acupuncture text in Japanese, that contains over 140 abdominal patterns!
After treating the front side of the body, the patient is treated face-down. I place needles in the stiff/blocked areas of the occipital region, traps, the knots medial to the shoulder blades, low back, and legs. We are creating a nice flow of Qi by harmonizing these points and meridians, while removing blockages. Think of your body as the conductor, the points as the musicians in the orchestra, while the meridians being the movements. When everyone plays in harmony, there is joy; if it’s a cacophony, there is unease and disorder.
To address the immunocompromised state, I often use direct moxa on specific points to strengthen vitality and make the immune system robust. This will also help to improve the appetite and boost digestion. I have treated numerous patients undergoing chemotherapy, and they have been grateful to experience relief from their various side effects. This is very satisfying for both patient and practitioner!
Helpful hint: For nausea hold a moxa stick horizontally, about an inch or more above acupuncture point Pericardium 6, warm up the point slowly. When it feels hot, move on to the other wrist, alternating until each wrist has received two rounds.
