Integrative Oncology in Everett, WA

Conventional cancer treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, biological therapy, and radiation. Although medical practitioners rely on these methods to treat cancer, they can deeply impact the quality of life.

For instance, chemotherapy patients endure undesirable side effects like loss of hair and senses, nausea, low appetite, or death. Although getting cancer free is the top priority for any patient, the treatment method also matters.

This explains why many people are turning to integrative oncology. It’s a complementary approach alongside conventional cancer care. At Interactive Health Clinic, our priority is to provide comfort and deal with issues arising from conventional cancer treatment.

Ultimately, integrative oncology for residents in Everett is a comprehensive approach that involves shared decision-making and plans that transform the experience and longevity of cancer patients.

It Helps to Deal with Chemotherapy and Radiation Side Effects

Treatments like chemotherapy or radiation take a toll on a patient’s body, making them exhausted, sick, and depressed. We use integrative cancer therapies to build the mental and physical strength required to endure cancer treatments.

As a result, our patients undergo cancer treatment with minimal side effects like nausea, anxiety, weight loss, depression, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Provision of a Comprehensive Nutrition Plan

At Integrative Health Clinic, we formulate a comprehensive nutrition plan and therapeutic diet that meets your health needs. While a healthy person can easily follow health guidelines like eating enough vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, it’s not the same with cancer patients.

Cancer patients may find it challenging to look after their health due to the side effects. That withstanding, the role of nutrition in maintaining good health remains. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet during cancer treatment might help you with the following:

• Maintain your strength and energy
• Lower risk of infection
• Enhance your recovery rate
• Tolerate treatment side effects
• Maintain your weight

A cancer patient’s diet should consist of the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, vitamins, and minerals. For instance, they need more protein than usual. Generally, patients require additional proteins to heal tissues and fight infections after chemotherapy or radiation.

Low appetite may also contribute to insufficient vitamins and minerals in a cancer patient’s body. An integrative oncology doctor can recommend suitable sources of supplements that don’t interfere with the treatment.

It Fast-tracks Overall Recovery Time

Our IV therapy lounge has several nutritional bags containing different combinations of vitamins, iron, minerals, and nutrients. It’s a form of nutritional therapy that offers great cancer support. For instance, the Immune Boost bag helps to improve cell defense, recovery time, and prevents illness.

The following are some of the integrative cancer therapies available to patients.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a naturopathic cancer treatment that originated from China—traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting needles into your body through strategic points in your skin. Acupuncture is primarily used to enhance overall wellness, treat pain, and stress management.

Acupuncture has grown in popularity in the US because it works efficiently. Research shows that acupuncture can reduce the following side effects of cancer.

• Anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Hot flashes
• Digestive problems

How Does Acupuncture Work for Pain?

Typically, acupuncture involves the insertion of super-thin needles into specific ‘acupoints’ in the skin. As a result, the body reacts by releasing endorphins, natural pain-killing chemicals. It also stimulates serotonin, a brain chemical that stabilizes moods.

An acupuncturist may slightly turn or twirl the needles or apply some heat to enhance the effects. In some cases, an acupuncturist may also burn therapeutic herbs near the skin to relieve pain.

Many patients leave the clinic feeling significantly better; some recover a few days later. Ultimately, acupuncture stimulates nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, boosting the body’s natural pain killer.

Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) therapy uses high-energy percussion to stimulate and exercise cells to support overall wellness and inhibit cellular dysfunction. Unlike other methods applied to the body, PEMF is a non-invasive method that resolves pain and inflammation.

PEMF is an effective therapy because it delivers specific repair prompts to the body. Shockwave therapy activates the body’s self-healing process. It results in immediate relief from pain and enhanced motion.

Here are PEMF’s potential benefits to cancer patients:

• Alleviates pain
• Enhances healing time
• Boosts energy levels
• Better cell health
• Helps in detoxification

PEMF or shockwave therapy is complementary to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. They can be used together to reduce the dosage, reduce harmful side effects, and improve the patient recovery period.

Massage Therapy

Studies have shown that massage can be useful to cancer patients during or after treatment. Even so, cancer patients should avoid intense massage; a gentle type is safer. Massage therapy can counter varying physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatments.

It’s advisable to consult an integrative oncology doctor before a cancer patient undertakes massage therapy.

Here are the potential benefits of massage therapy as a complementary treatment for cancer patients:

• Reduces pain and stress: A gentle massage promotes relaxation, which boosts the production of endorphins. As a result, the body relieves stress, pain, swelling, aches, and tense muscles.
• Improves mood: When patients are diagnosed with cancer, they suffer increased anxiety and become depressed. A regular massage can reduce anxiety and create enhanced well-being and mood.
• Improves sleep pattern: Massage means less pain and stress during the night or day, leading to better sleep patterns.

Meditation

In addition, cancer patients can use meditation to relax or clear their minds. It can help deal with pain, fatigue, sleep problems, fear, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes.

Although there are many types of meditation, mindful meditation is widely used. It involves sitting quietly and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment.

Suffering from cancer is enough trouble. Therefore, the ideal treatment plan should promote comfort and help you withstand cancer symptoms. That said, it’s advisable to consider an integrative approach from a trusted health provider like Integrative Health Clinic.

At Integrative Health Clinic, we care for and value our cancer patients, which is why we offer personalized programs to enhance their health.

Contact us online or call us at 425-361-7945 to book an appointment.