How do integrative experts manage gastrointestinal symptoms?
Both medical groups and integrative experts provide recommendations for managing fatigue. Learn more about the approaches and meanings of recommendations.
Clinical practice guidelines
Recommendations to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy or radiotherapy:
- Mind-body modalities as part of multidisciplinary approach
- Acupuncture or related techniques, as adjunct treatment
Chinese medicine clinical service
A survey of experts published in 2020 found consensus to recommend moxibustion for reducing nausea and vomiting among patients receiving chemotherapy.
Recommendations:
- Specific herbal blends for each pattern of constipation
- Acupuncture at specific points for three of the four patterns of constipation
Recommend rikkunshito in addition to standard conventional therapy
Complementary therapies used to treat nausea and vomiting:
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Guided imagery
- Hypnosis
- Music therapy
- Relaxation techniques
Shown to be helpful for anticipatory nausea and vomiting:
- Guided imagery
- Hypnosis
Things you can try that may help with nausea and vomiting:
- Hydration
Shanghai Association of Chinese Integrative Medicine multidisciplinary working group
Weak recommendation for acupuncture and moxibustion to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting
Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment › This set of guidelines has been endorsed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).1Lyman GH, Greenlee H et al. Integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment: ASCO endorsement of the SIO clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018 Sep 1;36(25):2647-2655.
Recommendations to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
These therapies can be considered as an addition to anti-emetics drugs to control nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy:
- Acupressure
- Acupuncture
- Electroacupuncture
- Ginger
- Relaxation techniques
Insufficient evidence for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting:
- Agaricus silvaticus
- Aromatherapy
- Yoga
Should not be recommended:
Glutamine should not be recommended for improving nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy
Recommendation: acupuncture to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy or surgical anesthesia (strong recommendation)
Integrative programs and protocols
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. 2010.
Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Thriving after Cancer: A Five-Step Integrative Plan to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence and Build Lifelong Health. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. 2013.
Approaches are described for certain cancer types, or along with certain conventional therapy treatments, or for particular conditions including gastrointestinal symptoms.
Keith Block, MD
Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Care. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
The integrative Block Program has recommendations to people who are at different places along the cancer continuum:
- Those who’ve been recently diagnosed
- Those in treatment
- Those who’ve concluded treatment and need to remain vigilant to prevent recurrence
Raymond Chang, MD, FACP
Chang R. Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail. New York: Square One Publishers. 2012.
This book describes a “new therapy based on the knowledge that certain off-label drugs, nutrients, and therapies are each somewhat effective against cancer.” Dr. Chang combines approaches for added benefit.
Neil McKinney, BSc, ND
McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, Fourth Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2020.
This book includes descriptions and uses of many natural and complementary protocols for cancer in general and for specific cancers. It also includes information on integrative support during conventional cancer treatment.
Gurdev Parmar, ND, FABNO, and Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO
Parmar G, Kaczor T. Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology: A Desktop Guide of Integrative Cancer Care. 1st edition. Medicatrix Holdings Ltd. 2020.
This book provides information on the treatment of 24 cancers, plus the most effective treatments of the most common symptoms affecting cancer patients while they undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
Traditional medicine
Practitioners of traditional medical systems offer therapies and approaches to manage gastrointestinal symptoms. Several traditional Chinese therapies are described above in clinical practice guidelines.
Learn more about traditional medicine and how to find practitioners.
Learn more
References