Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can wield a devastating blow. One moment, we are coasting through our lives, busy with career, family or any degree of normal routine and the next – having to confront a difficult reality and all the uncomfortable emotions and concerns that accompany it. Immediately and irreversibly, life changes.

My passion and inspiration for working with this illness and the people being challenged by it arose out of my own personal experiences. In early spring of 2010, my mother was diagnosed with a recurrence of oral cancer. Bearing witness to the grueling treatment process and ensuing hospitalizations, not to mention the gross lack of psychological and physiological support, helped me realize what a truly difficult journey this can be for patients, families and communities.

Since that time, I have focused a large portion of my clinical work to helping people with cancer as they move through all the phases of diagnosis, conventional medical treatments and the inspiring challenge of rebuilding their health and lives.

Over the past decade, acupuncture has been the subject of many cancer-based clinical research trials. The results have been very encouraging, especially in its role in reducing chemotherapy-related symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, alleviating pain and, perhaps most notably, improving immune function.

In addition, the diet and nutritional intake of someone dealing with cancer is of enormous importance and will play a pivotal role in the outcome of treatment. Basically, all that is ingested will either help promote healing or will ultimately interfere. All food and drink should be selected based on its potential to assist the body in its efforts to remain strong and healthy during treatment and thereafter. The same goes for exercise and virtually all other facets of one’s lifestyle.

In essence, a diagnosis of Cancer can be a harsh wake-up call. However, it always serves as a very real indicator that major changes must take place in one’s life. It can prove to be a time of great introspection and soul-searching, literally exploring the depths of one’s being. This is actually a glorious thing and it is from this place that true healing occurs.

Cancer is still a big mystery to modern medicine and may remain so for a long time to come. Concurrently, it is also one of the biggest medical concerns affecting our society. As we watch it afflict our loved ones and communities with epidemic proportions, it is easy to feel powerless and scared in the face of such an aggressive and misunderstood disease.

Thankfully, the wise and enlightened traditions of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are here to help support us on the journey. It is my personal and professional conviction that it can do this in truly remarkable ways - restoring balance and health to the body, while providing a foundation for a fuller, richer post-treatment life.

As always, I am here for you and your family. If you have any questions or would like to know more about the possibility of working together, please contact me.