Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal and Transformation – A Guide for Practitioners

Description

Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship – Recovery, Renewal and Transformation is the first book to focus on the subject of using acupuncture in cancer survivorship. As a guide for practitioners it aims to help acupuncturists to:

• Understand the challenges faced by cancer survivors
• Relate their cancer experience to the principles of traditional east Asian medicine
• Treat some specific consequences of cancer treatment
• Work safely with cancer survivors
• Support cancer survivors on an emotional level
• Help patients come to terms with a chronic condition
• Manage expectations of both patient and practitioner
• Access the research that has been conducted in this field.

Acupuncture can play a vital role in helping the growing number of cancer survivors adjust to life post-treatment, especially in supporting them in coming to terms with how cancer has affected their lives. This includes managing the physical and emotional after effects of diagnosis and treatment, making healthy lifestyle choices, coping with the fear of recurrence, learning how to manage a chronic condition, and establishing the “new normal” that is the legacy of a cancer diagnosis.

This book will help to bring the acupuncture profession more up-to-date in its understanding of cancer survivorship and related issues. It includes the stories of survivors; these are presented throughout the book using case studies to which the patients themselves have contributed. The overall objective is to enable acupuncturists to help cancer survivors gain control back over their lives post-treatment, through understanding the specific issues facing survivors and how acupuncture can help them.

Most people think that when a cancer patient finishes treatment, that is the end of the cancer journey. While many people recover from having cancer and its treatments, others experience physical and emotional issues related to the consequences of their experience. Some of these issues may be ongoing and last for months, or even years, after treatment ends. This book can help acupuncturists understand the issues faced by people living with and beyond cancer and help support them in their process of recovery.

Industry Reviews

This beautifully written book has the advantage of coming from the perspective of a highly experienced practitioner-academic. Dr de Valois combines her knowledge of acupuncture in private practice, and experience of working in an integrated healthcare team in the NHS; detailing biomedical and acupuncture approaches to managing the consequences of cancer treatments. — Dr Christine A Barry BA, BSc, PhD Medical Anthropology Senior Research Fellow, Brunel University (retired)

This makes me feel I have the skills to be able to offer something good to cancer survivors. I find the honesty and clarity of Beverley’s writing in sharing her own approach and experiences very empowering — Maggie Bavington Lic Ac, MSc Chinese Herbal Medicine Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Beverley de Valois is the acupuncture authority on cancer survivorship in the UK and West. This ground-breaking book reflects her in-depth knowledge and extensive expertise. — Angela Hicks BSc LicAc FBAcC MRCHM Co-founder and President, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, Berkshire UK

This book is an exciting and important new resource in the evidence-informed practice of acupuncture for supporting cancer survivors. I wish I had had it during my years in a hospital oncology service; this is a large population of patients with deep needs for continuing care that may not be effectively addressed by a system that is set up for crisis management. Dr. de Valois’ decades of experience in listening to and caring for these patients are plainly evident, and shine through her careful presentations of what is needed and how we can be of help. — Dr Claudia Citkovitz PhD MS LAC Adjunct Faculty, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Author, Acupressure and Acupuncture During Birth.

This book has been anticipated by practitioners and acupuncture students alike. Extending beyond the TCM patterns for cancer, this manual will serve as a wonderful resource for acupuncturists working with cancer patients covering all the softer issues that come with this area of work as well as diagnosis and treatment options in acupuncture. It is filled with information gathered over many years by the author, who has a great wealth of experience both as a practitioner and as a researcher. Beverley has brought together years her unique experience working with cancer survivorship as a Chinese medicine practitioner in this book. It will provide a new generation of practitioners with most valuable support and guidance that is both practical and useful in a clinical setting. — Kim Chan BA (Hons), MA, LicAc, MBAcC Programme Leader for Acupuncture Skills, Chinese Medicine Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine, Reading, Berkshire UK 

This book will be invaluable for practitioners of course but also for their clients. The book will facilitate the deepening of the therapeutic relationship — Isobel Cosgrove BA[SS], MA[Oxon]MLitt, FBAcC Acupuncturist and Founder of UK Supervision Network, London, UK 

A valuable resource for practitioners; very informative, clear, written with an intelligent heart — Margre de Vries, LicAc, BSc (Hons) Acupuncture, Dip Shiatsu DO Acupuncture and Shiatsu practitioner, London UK

This is a wonderfully written book which is easy to digest, balancing Beverley’s research and clinical experience. — Amy Din MSc BSc (Hons) Dip MBAcC Traditional Acupuncturist. Senior Research Assistant, Trial Coordinator, PhD candidate, University of Southampton, UK 

Clear, knowledgeable, practical and diverse information …. this is a must for an acupuncturist’s book shelf/reference . — Rachel Peckham MSc LicAc FBAcC Acupuncturist. Trustee and trainer, NADA GB, London UK 

A key strength of this unique text is the content on lymphoedema and the importance of adapting acupuncture techniques for risk reduction and safe practice. I love the detailed case studies providing numerous practical tips. —  Margaret Sneddon, British Lymphology Society Chair