Weathering the Storm

For many, a cancer diagnosis feels like a battle waged against the body. As a clinical practitioner who has spent years in the laboratory doing research in oncology (Lombardi Cancer Center-Georgetown Univewrsity), immunology (La Jolla Institute of Immunology), and the complex pathways of the human body, I have long been excited by how we can support the patient’s internal environment during this process.  At Summit Healing Arts, my approach to acupuncture is NOT about replacing traditional cancer care; it is about providing the physiological and systemic support that helps your body “weather the storm” of modern interventions and manage the course(s) of treatment.

When patients come to see me during or after treatment, they are often navigating a constellation of side effects that impact their quality of life: chronic fatigue, persistent nausea, sleep disruption, neuropathy, and the physiological toll of chemotherapy and radiation on their blood counts and recovery times.

Bridging the Gap Between Research and Care

My clinical philosophy is rooted in my history at the Lombardi Cancer Center and the National Institute of Mental Health. I view TCM not as an isolated tradition, but as an elegant, ancient system for modulating the body’s biological response to stress. When we treat the body with acupuncture during cancer recovery, we are effectively utilizing a “systems biology” lens: we are stimulating nerve pathways that influence hormone production, immune markers, and inflammatory responses.

Supporting the Body’s Resilience Acupuncture serves as a vital adjunct therapy during the rigorous phases of treatment. Here is how we address the most common challenges:

• Managing Nausea and Digestive Health: Acupuncture is widely recognized for its ability to regulate the autonomic nervous system, which helps mitigate the nausea and vomiting often associated with chemotherapy. By targeting specific points, we can signal the brain to dampen the “sickness” response, allowing patients to better maintain their nutritional intake.
• Mitigating Hematological Impact: One of the most challenging aspects of oncology treatment is the depletion of blood counts. While further clinical research is always evolving, many of my patients report that integrating acupuncture helps support their overall vitality, helping to maintain energy levels and reduce the severity of the systemic “crash” that often follows treatment cycles.
• Recovery and Wound Healing: Surgery is a physical trauma that demands a significant energetic cost. Acupuncture helps stimulate dermal and systemic microcirculation, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to tissues that need to heal. This not only aids in pain management but can meaningfully shorten the recovery timeline post-surgery.
• Restoring Sleep and Energy: Cancer treatment is exhausting. By shifting the body out of “fight or flight” mode—a state common during treatment—and into a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state, acupuncture helps restore the sleep quality necessary for the body to do its vital work of repair.

A Holistic Partnership My role at Summit Healing Arts is to partner with you. Whether you are currently undergoing treatment or looking to restore your strength after your final round, my focus is on restoring the body’s internal homeostasis.

If you are currently navigating treatment or are in the recovery phase, I invite you to reach out. We can discuss how to tailor a Precision TCM plan to support your specific needs. You don’t have to navigate these side effects alone—and your body’s ability to heal is far more resilient than you might think.