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Chinese medicine without a practitioner?

Page last modified on: April 22, 2009
Question from Farmerbeth: I live in a small town in the Midwest United States. I'm assuming I can't find a Chinese medicine practitioner anywhere nearby. Is there a way that I can use the healing benefits of this type of medicine on my own as I continue my regular breast cancer treatments?
Answer —Raymond Chang, M.D.: I'm not sure. Certainly you cannot do acupuncture on your own, but you can apply the theory of acupuncture. Let's say you're undergoing chemotherapy, you're nauseated, and you'd like to do something but can't find an acupuncturist. You can find Acubands in the pharmacy. They use the same principle, although I don't think they are as effective. You can apply the bands to the points that will relieve nausea when applied by traditional Chinese acupuncture. These bands can be found almost anywhere, including ordering from the Internet. You can try—it certainly won't hurt you to try.

There are also certain compounds, medicinal herbs, especially medicinal mushrooms (of Asian origin—common Western mushrooms do not have medicinal benefits) that are available in healthfood stores, so you do not need a Chinese practitioner. Or you can eat shiitake mushrooms, available in your supermarket.

On Wednesday, September 21, 2005, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Traditional Chinese Medicine. Raymond Chang, M.D. and moderator Beth Baughman Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about how to discuss Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with your cancer doctor.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Raymond Chang, M.D. is an internationally respected physician-acupuncturist uniquely trained in traditional Chinese medicine as well as contemporary Western medicine, and he is an acknowledged pioneer-specialist in integrative programs for cancer, infertility, and other difficult-to-treat conditions.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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