Stomach Cancer: How to Manage Symptoms and Improve Quality of Life

Doctors will diagnose almost 27,000 new cases of stomach cancer this year. The condition is quite serious and should be addressed by a qualified oncologist with treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month, but raising awareness about stomach cancer is important all year long.

As you move through all aspects of your treatment and healing you benefit from Eastern medicine therapies and acupuncture to help you manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here at Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Kierstin Beaman, DACM, helps patients with stomach cancer by complementing the care they receive from their oncologists.

Research shows that acupuncture can help ease the side effects of cancer treatment and assist with all aspects of your recovery path. Read on to learn more.

Understanding stomach cancer challenges

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, comes with many different, uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms result from the cancer itself and from the treatments designed to combat it. 

Patients frequently experience nausea, vomiting, digestive discomfort, fatigue, loss of appetite, and emotional distress. These side effects can make the recovery process feel even more challenging.

Standard oncology care works to destroy the cancer cells, while complementary treatments offered by our office focus on the whole person. We help you manage side effects, reduce discomfort, and improve overall quality of life in all stages of healing.

Acupuncture as a complementary therapy

Acupuncture has been used for centuries to restore balance in the body and support healing. It involves the insertion of very fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body to promote energy flow and stimulate your body's natural healing processes.

Acupuncture has been shown to help with several common challenges that cancer patients face, including:

Reducing nausea and vomiting

One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. Research has found that acupuncture can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of chemotherapy-induced nausea. 

Managing pain

Cancer-related pain, whether from the tumor itself or from treatments, can drastically affect your quality of life. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and releases natural pain-relieving chemicals like endorphins to help reduce discomfort without the side effects of pain medications.

Reducing stress

A cancer diagnosis can have a profound impact on your emotional state. Anxiety, depression, and stress can negatively impact the body’s healing processes.

Acupuncture helps restore emotional balance by regulating the nervous system and promoting relaxation. Many patients report feeling calmer and more at peace after acupuncture sessions, which is critical in managing the emotional strain of cancer treatment.

Acupuncture as part of a comprehensive care plan

Acupuncture should be viewed as a complement to, not a replacement for, traditional cancer treatments. When added to your care plan, acupuncture can help manage the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of stomach cancer. It supports you through each step of treatment.

At Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture, we offer oncology support so that acupuncture may be included in personalized treatment plans that address your unique needs. 

If you or a loved one is facing stomach cancer, take this National Stomach Cancer Month as a time to explore acupuncture as part of your treatment plan. By addressing both the physical and emotional challenges, acupuncture can be an invaluable tool in navigating cancer care with greater comfort and resilience.

Call Minnesota Integrative Medicine & Acupuncture at 651-964-3868, or book an appointment online today.