Explore how acupuncture can ease multiple myeloma treatment side effects, from neuropathy to fatigue, with evidence, safety tips, and a practical integration guide.
Integrative Oncology: Combining Conventional and Natural Cancer Treatments
When you hear integrative oncology, a patient-centered approach that combines standard cancer treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies. Also known as holistic cancer care, it doesn’t replace chemotherapy or radiation—it supports them. This isn’t about replacing doctors with supplements. It’s about using nutrition, movement, stress management, and targeted supplements to help your body handle the toll of treatment and recover faster.
People choosing integrative oncology often deal with side effects that traditional medicine alone doesn’t fully address. Fatigue from chemotherapy, nausea from radiation, nerve pain from drugs like paclitaxel—these are real. Studies show that acupuncture can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea. Mindfulness practices lower anxiety in cancer patients better than placebo. And certain vitamins and minerals, when used correctly, help protect healthy cells without interfering with treatment. But here’s the catch: not all supplements are safe. Some can make chemo less effective or overload your liver. That’s why integrative oncology isn’t a DIY project. It’s a team effort between your oncologist, a certified integrative practitioner, and you.
What you’ll find in these articles aren’t vague claims or miracle cures. You’ll see real comparisons: how Spironolactone, a diuretic used in heart and kidney conditions helps manage fluid buildup in advanced cancer patients, or how Aziderm Cream, a topical treatment for acne and skin discoloration helps with chemotherapy-induced rashes. You’ll learn why Neurobion Forte Injection, a B-vitamin combo used for nerve health is sometimes recommended for chemo-induced neuropathy, and how Pirfenidone, an anti-fibrotic drug originally for lung scarring is being studied for its role in reducing treatment-related tissue damage. These aren’t random picks. They’re tools real patients and doctors use every day to make treatment more tolerable and life more livable.
There’s no single path in integrative oncology. What works for one person might not help another. But the goal is the same: get you through treatment with less suffering, more energy, and better control over your health. The articles below give you the facts—not the hype—so you can ask the right questions and make smarter choices with your care team.