Combat Breast Cancer Holistically And NJ Update!

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 24th:  Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Day

According to BreastCancer.org, “About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.”  It is important to understand the struggles women have with breast cancer, and to keep breasts healthy!

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in celebration of Acupuncture  Oriental Medicine Day, I am offering discounted packages.  This means you will receive a series of treatments during a certain period of time that will focus on your breast cancer treatment concerns/issues (such as building the immune system post-treatment and alleviating nausea and anxiety, for instance) at a more affordable rate than if you paid for individual treatments, alone.

Call or email me for more details!

Here are some ways you can promote breast health, combat breast cancer, and address your health during various stages of treatment:

1. Give yourself a monthly breast exam.  Prevention is key!
2. Surround yourself with a support system, whether that be physicians, nurses, practitioners, family, and/or friends.  A great way to gain support is to join a support group.  A few months ago, I had the opportunity to speak at a support group meeting for Women at Risk (WAR), a part of Columbia University Medical Center Breast Service.  WAR is a support group for women who are currently undergoing breast cancer treatment, who have in the past, or who are about to.  I was able to delve into how acupuncture treats breast cancer symptoms and side effects from medications.  I also took the opportunity to show them the acupuncture tools of the trade (you can check out pictures and descriptions of the items I’d brought with me on this post.)
3. Get regular mammograms.  Again, prevention works.
4. Receive consistent acupuncture and reiki care to support the healing of the mind, body, and spirit.  Did you know that, according to the National Cancer Society, acupuncture:
   • Alleviates symptoms such as hot flashes (often a side effect of cancer treatment)?
   • Increases the body’s immune system to assist in quicker healing time (it helps increase T cell count)?
   • Brings relief from symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (common reactions to certain cancer medications)?
   • Assists with muscle and joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors?
   • Combats fatigue in patients treated for cancer?
   • Provides stress release?
5. Get educated.  Whether or not you are generally healthy, preparing for surgery, are enduring treatment, or recovering, getting all the facts is the best way to arm yourself from any misinformation.  Fear is often a hindrance in getting yourself the best care, since not knowing what’s in store can create even more stress and anxiety surrounding the surgeries/treatments.
6. Be conscious of what you eat.  Whatever stage you may be in, building the immune system is key:

• • Oleic Acids:  like that found in extra virgin olive oil or unrefined sesame oil, have tumor-inhibiting effects.
  • Flax Seeds:  have immune enhancing omega-3 content.  Flax has particular value in treating breast cancer because the cells of these cancers, which have estrogen receptors, can be inhibited by the antiestrogenic compounds in lignins.
  • GLA (Gamma-Linolenic Acid) Oils:  one study found that women with breast cancer who took GLA had a better response to tamoxifen than those who only took tamoxifen.
  • Shiitake and maitake mushrooms help to boost the immune system. Reishi mushroom (or in Chinese, Ling Zhi) is known for soothing the spirit.  Adding a certain mushroom to your diet may sound like a small feat, but when you eat foods that your body can benefit from, are well-prepared to release all the nutrient properties, and are considered “alive” foods, it makes a difference.  Not only will your body react favorably to the nutrients, but your moods will be more manageable.

Recently, the Baltimore Sun published an article, “Cancer patients turn to acupuncture to cope with symptoms, side effects: University of Maryland School of Medicine doctor answers questions on treatment”.  It answers some general questions about acupuncture, but also about how acupuncture can treat breast cancer survivors.  As an acupuncturist, I’ve always known of its effectiveness for this condition, on physical and emotional levels.  But, it is always great to see the increasing press confirming just that!  And that goes for reiki, as well.  I showed the ladies at the WAR support group how to do some self-reiki, and afterwards, not only were their faces softened and more at peace, but they remarked that they felt a positive difference.  Acupuncture and reiki are no joke!

Update:

Recently, I’d mentioned that I’d passed the New Jersey acupuncture board exam.  I finally received my NJ license in the mail!  And I am joining Ariele Myers’ team at Ariele’s Apothecary, a wellness center located in the heart of Hoboken that fills the need for integrative healthcare in Hudson Country.  I’m excited to work with her (we had actually become friends through our grad schooling days at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine-NY), and she has a beautiful space!  I will be taking the day shifts on Mondays and Thursdays, 10am-4pm.

It is an easy jump out of the 1st Path train stop in Hoboken, and the center’s atmosphere is serene, yet flavorful!   It is in the heart of Hoboken, which is smack dab in the middle of a vibrant town, with well-known and indie stores and eateries.  One of the most familiar being Carlo’s Bake Shop of “Cake Boss” fame!  You can call Ariele’s Apothecary at (201) 526-4684 to make an appointment.

This will be in addition to my days at my private practice in the Flatiron district in NYC, at 928 Broadway, between 21st and 22nd Streets, 12th floor, where I am on other days out of the week (when I am not in NJ.)  You can take the 6 or R to 23rd Street, which is closest; but it is also in walking distance from Union Square (where you can visit the large farmer’s market after a rejuvenating acupuncture treatment and grab some fruits, veggies, and baked goods before heading home!)

My practice is at Omni Wellness, a wellness center which is yet another beautiful, calming environment, and offers additional services, such as chiropractic, massage therapy, and skincare.  The folks here are great people, and it’s a lovely respite outside of NYC’s hustle and bustle.  Give me a call direct if you’d like an acupuncture and/or reiki treatment!

 

Copyright © 2011 by Alcantara Acupuncture & Healing Arts. All rights reserved. You may quote, copy, translate and link to this article, in its entirety, on free, non-donation based websites only, as long as you include the author name and a working link back to this website. All other uses are strictly prohibited.

All information on this website is my own opinion, and not to be taken as medical advice. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk. Please refer to your medical practitioner before making any medical decisions.