Traditional Healing:
U-M offers acupuncture for relief of cancer-related symptoms
Taxol had left Judith Stingo's toes and
thumbs feeling numb. I's a common side
effect of the drug, and it was discouraging
to Stingo -- particularly after doctors told
her it could take as long as a year to regain
full feeling.
When Stingo learned the University of
Michigan Integrative Medicine Clinic offers
acupuncture, she decided to give it a try.
After two treatments, she noticed marked
improvement. After her third acupuncture
appointment, the numbness was gone
altogether.
"It was my thumbs that bothered me
most. I was constantly touching them with
my other fingers. I had to have my husband
open jars for me and cut things up. That
was very distressing to have to ask other
people to do things for you," said Stingo,
a Dexter resident who was treated for breast
cancer. "But after that second appointment,
it pleased me to no end to feel my thumbs
again. It was like a miracle for me."
Acupuncture may be beneficial in treating
a number of cancer-related symptoms and
side effects, including fatigue, nausea, pain
and nerve problems that cause tingling and
numbness, said Andrew Heyman, M.D., adjunct
assistant professor of family medicine
at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Heyman also provides acupuncture to
patients who have mild to moderate anxiety
or depression.
"Acupuncture is a very safe modality for
people with cancer," Heyman said. "It can
be very beneficial if it is used in combination
with more conventional medical therapies."
Although many insurance companies
do not cover acupuncture, Heyman said
some do, if it's used to treat certain medical
conditions.
Heyman meets with patients during an
initial consultation to discuss their symptoms
and expectations for the therapy. During the
treatment, Heyman inserts 10 to 20 needles
in different parts of the body, depending
on the symptoms that need to be addressed.
The needles are sterile, FDA-approved
devices made of stainless steel. Because of
the needles' construction -- they are thinner
than those used for injections and also not
hollow -- patients typically don't feel more
than a slight pressure or pinch when they
are inserted.
After a specified period of time, the
needles are removed. Heyman said most
treatments last 30 to 40 minutes
Stingo said she sometimes falls asleep
during the procedure, but more often
than not, she uses the time to think about
organizing the rest of her day.
"It's very soothing and calming, and it
doesn't hurt," Stingo said. "It makes you feel
better that you''re actively going to get these
side effects addressed. It just encourages
you: You're not going to stand by and just
take it. It makes you feel good that you're
doing something about it."
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To make an appointment with the U-M Integrative Medicine Clinic, call 734-615-1900.
