Acupuncture, massage have cancer care role

CHICAGO, March 1 (UPI) -- Acupuncture, massage and other alternative therapies have a place in cancer care, a U.S. doctor says.

Gynecologic oncologist Dr. Julian Schink of Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University says offering integrative oncology services as well as counseling and stress management are part of their larger aim of providing for cancer patients' needs from every angle.

"When a patient is diagnosed with cancer many of them want to fully participate in their recovery, but don't know where to begin. This program gives them control over their treatment," Schink says in a statement.

Integrative oncology services -- offered by Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group's Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness include acupuncture, massage, energy healing and naturopathic medicine.

"Our goal is to treat the whole person, not just their illness," Dr. Melinda Ring, medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness, says. "Research suggests that a holistic approach can alleviate stress and anxiety, as well as the physical pain and discomfort patients often experience while undergoing cancer treatments by activating the body's innate healing process."

Schink points out integrative oncology services help manage the side effects associated with conventional therapies that would otherwise cause patients to end or curtail treatments prematurely.