Home → Treatment & Side Effects → Complementary & Holistic Medicine → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Complementary Medicine → September 2005: Traditional Chinese Medicine → Chinese medicine without a practitioner?

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.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Was this resource helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your input!

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

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. the medical director of the Breast Health Program at Holy Redeemer Health System in Meadowbrook, PA.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

View Mobile Site