Some basic self-care acupressure techniques to boost immunity and decrease side effects from radiation and chemotherapy.

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Cancer Support
Dr. Jaclyn Engelsher, DNP
Integrative Nurse Practitioner
Certified Acupuncturist

2. Traditional Chinese Medicine
 Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s
Inner Classic) 300-100 BC/2698-2589
BC
 Acupuncture
 Acupressure/Tui Na
 Cupping
 Moxabustion (heat therapy)
 Nutrition
 Herbal therapy
 Exercise

3. Qi
 Qi is the root of a human being. It is the
basis of all phenomena in the body
 One of the 3 treasures with Jing and
Shen
 Qi flows through meridians providing
the ability to move, protect, transform,
and warm
 Qi may be deficient, collapse, rebel, or
stagnate
 Genetics and daily lifestyle determine
your Qi
(Maciocia, 1989)

4. Meridians
 Lung/Large Intestine
 Stomach/Spleen
 Heart/Small Intestine
 Urinary Bladder/Kidney
 Pericardium/San Jiao
 Gallbladder/Liver

5. Three Free Therapies
 Healthy Diet
 Adequate physical exercise
 Physical and Mental Rest

6. Cancer and TCM
 Fu zheng gu ben - strengthen the good,
enhance regeneration
 Eliminate toxins by draining damp
accumulations
 Increase Qi and blood flow
 Harmonize Jing, Qi, and Shen

7. Stomach 36
 Most important point to
tonify Qi; disorders of
spleen, stomach and
intestines
 3 cun below the “knee
hole” one finger breadth
from the tibia bone
 2004 study: prevent
bone marrow
suppression, maintain
healthy CD4/CD8 ratios,
decrease incidence and
severity of
gastrointestinal toxic
reactions
(Acupuncture.com, 2010) (Chen, et. Al, 2004)

8. Pericardium 6
 Nausea, vomiting,
stomachache, insomnia,
chest pain, anxiety,
palpatations
 Used with e-stim and sea
bands for chemotherapy
induced nausea with
75% positive benefit in
study group
 2 cun above the
transverse crease of the
wrist in between the
central tendons
(Acupuncture.com, 2010) (Dundee & Yang, 1991)

9. Heart 7
 Insomnia, heart
palpitations, poor
memory, irritability
 On the pinky finger
side of the
transverse wrist
crease an in the
depression to the
thumb side of the
tendon
(Acupuncture.com, 2010)

10. Kidney 7
 Sweating at night or
spontaneously in the
day, edema,
abdominal distenion
 2 cun above KI3
(point halfway
between achillies
tendon and tip of the
inner ankle)
(Acupuncture.com, 2010)

11. Ren 17
 Influential point of Qi,
stimulates thymus,
vomiting, chest
fullness, difficulty
swallowing
 On the midline level
with the 4th intercostal
space
(Acupuncture.com, 2010)

12. Du 20
 Clears the mind,
lifts the spirit,
headache,
dizziness,
concentration
 Center of the
scalp on the line
connecting the
apex of the ears
(Acupuncture.com, 2010)

13. References
Acupuncture.com (2010). Acupuncture point locations. Retrieved from
http://www.acupuncture.com/education/points/index.htm
Chen, K. Y., Zhang, G. Z., Liasng, S. Y., et. Al. (2004). A clinical
survey of the treatment of toxic reactions to chemotherapy with
electroacupuncture at zu san li. Xin Zhong Yi (New Chinese Medicine).
3:46-47.
Dundee, J. W., and Yang, J. (1990). Prolongation of the antiemetic
action of P6 acupuncture by acupressure in patients having cancer
chemotherapy. J R Soc Med. 83(6): 360–362.
Maciocia, G. (1998). The foundations of Chinese medicine: A
comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists. Edinburgh:
Churchill Livingstone.