Alleviating pain in cancer patients / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

In 1990, I opened a pain clinic, and was very troubled by the chronic pain endured by my patients. <BR>I looked for a better treatment for chronic pain and discovered the benefits of Oriental medicine (acupuncture and Chinese medicine). In 1992, I became a member of the Eastern Medicine Chikugo Study Group (present Eastern Medicine Kiketsu Study Group) led by Dr. Fumitaka Tayama, and studied acupuncture, which was an effective treatment for chronic pain. <BR>In 1999, I started treating patients with cancer. From these patients, I realized the profound need for them to spend their last days at home. Our clinic started in-home palliative care in July 1999. For 13and a half years until December 2012, the clinic offered home medical care to 383patients, and 63%of them, 241 patients, were able to die at home. In 2012, we treated 41 patients at their homes and were present during the final moments of 26 patients (63.4%). Eight patients died at a palliative care unit (19.6%) and 7 patients died at a hospital (17%). Of 41 patients, 10 patients received acupuncture. To treat loss of appetite, general malaise, etc. we inserted press tack needles into acupuncture points LI-11 and ST-36. For all 41 patients, we provided massage therapy on their hands and legs, called "haut care,"using essential oils to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians. When time permitted, we provided the same massage therapy to family members. <BR>Western medicine is said to target the disease, and Oriental medicine treats the whole patient, not just the disease, and I believe that Oriental medicine is really effective. This perspective leads to holistic care, which is the basis of palliative care. Therefore, the study and practice of Oriental medicine has naturally been of great assistance in promoting in-house palliative care. <BR>As a result of studying acupuncture and using it in our treatment, patients with chronic pain as well as cancer patients have started to come to our clinic for treatment. The clinic has received words of appreciation from patients who have had their persistent symptoms alleviated. I have thus reaffirmed my confidence in the effectiveness of acupuncture. I hope to continue to search for better ways to treat my patients suffering from cancer, including the efficacious treatment of acupuncture.