NWHSU Faculty Weigh in on New Guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology

The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently published a guideline in collaboration with the Society for Integrative Oncology to provide evidence-based recommendations to health care providers on integrative approaches to managing pain in patients with cancer.  

Barbara Gosse, MSOM, DiplAc, LAc, faculty member in the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine program, explained the process:  

The Society for Integrative Oncology convened a multi-disciplinary group of clinicians and patients to assess and develop clinical guidelines for the use of non-pharmacologic treatments of pain for those undergoing cancer treatment as well as patients who’ve completed their standard treatment of care for cancer.  

Out of the 227 systematic reviews, metanalysis’s and randomized control studies a list of guidelines were developed for the non-pharmacologic treatment of cancer related pain. 

Acupuncture was recommended for post-surgical pain, general and musculoskeletal pain, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  “It’s exciting to see acupuncture and other natural therapies being researched and incorporated into recommendations of care within medical oncology, commented Gosse. 

Therapeutic massage was recommended for palliative and hospice care. “One thing that I have found that supports cancer patients along their journey is touch in general, which of course, massage is excellent for. Even during chemo and radiation or other types of treatments, touch helps them feel supported, seen, and reminds them that they are not alone,” responded Spring Saldana, BCTMB, CNMT, CMLDT, LMT and Massage Therapy program chair. “Although a seemingly simple concept, it has powerful results in the progression through cancer care and beyond.” 

Story by Kit Harlow, Chiropractic Student