A progress study of 100 cancer patients treated by acupressure for chemotherapy-induced vomiting after failure with the pharmacological approach.

Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Milan, Italy.

AIM: The recent rediscovery of the natural traditional medical sciences has contributed to improve the treatment of the human diseases and, in particular, it has been shown that the pharmacological approach is not the only possible strategy in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, since bioenergetic approaches, such as acupressure and acupuncture, may also counteract the onset of vomiting due to different causes. Previous preliminary clinical studies had already suggested a possible efficacy of acupressure also in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced vomiting resistant to the classical antiemetic drugs. The aim of this study was to confirm these preliminary data. METHODS: The study was performed in 100 consecutive metastatic solid tumour patients, who underwent chemotherapy for their advanced neoplastic disease, and who had no benefit from the standard antiemetic agents, including corticosteroids, antidopaminergics and 5-HT 3R-antagonists. Acupressure was made by a stimulation of PC6 acupoint. RESULTS: The emetic symptomatology was reduced by acupressure in 68/100 (68%) patients, without significant differences in relation to tumour histotype. The lowest efficacy was observed in patients treated by anthracycline-containing regimens, without, however, statistically significant differences with respect to the other chemotherapeutic combinations. CONCLUSION: This study confirms previous preliminary clinical results, which had already suggested the potential efficacy of acupressure in the treatment of vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy. Therefore, acupressure may be successfully included within the therapeutic strategies of cancer chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

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Fever/Burn

Fever

If a slight fever is present it can be dealt with easily at home. If the fever is high and medical attention is necessary, you can also do the following until you can get to a doctor.
Sponge the child or put into a cool bath.
Mix a little apple juice with twig tea and give to the child.
Place a cabbage leaf or a tofu plaster on the child's head

Burn

Each burn case must be watched carefully. Burns from hot water, fire ,and hot oil can be treated the same. For small children don't put ice on the burn; this is too strong for them. It contracts the outside skin with the heat trapped inside. Because of this the burn can't heal quickly. Cool water or tofu plaster is appropriate.

If the burn is minor, then a little oil placed directly on the skin covered with green leafy vegetables is appropriate to use after the cool water application. Because sesame, corn, or olive oils are recommended for everyday cooking, you may have these on hand. However, any oil that you have in the kitchen will do. Cabbage, kale, dandelion, or any other available green leaf vegetable can be used for the cooling outer wrapper.

As a first aid measure, immediately put miso paste or tamari on the burn. This seals out air and stops blisters from forming. This works very well. A couple of days later, the oil and green leafy vegetable combination can be used to cover the wound. If there is swelling, tofu plaster with greens is helpful to reduce it.
For a more severe burn, don't use oil. Seek medical attention.

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Bed wetting (enure sis)

Bed wetting (enure sis)

Drinking beverages before going to bed, emotional difficulties and generally improper eating habits (such as too many watery foods like fruit and fruit juice) all have their effect on the
function of the kidney and bladder. It is best not to eat or drink two to three hours before going to bed. While many times the child will outgrow the problem, proper diet and shiatsu cer¬tainly will speed up the process. Don't scold the child.

Gentle shiatsu on the lower pelvic and sacrum areas affects the bladder. Also massage on the legs will increase the energetic flow to and from the bladder. Finally, pressing the acupoints below the navel (CV 4, CV 6) strengthens the urinary functions.

Moxibustion

Warming the following acupoints will treat the problem: CV 4, CV 6, SP 6, KD3, and LV 1

SP6
Kl) 3

LV 1

Exercise

Leg stretching exercises which stretch the inner leg and the groin can be done. The same types of exercise that is effective for prostate trouble is effective here. These can be done before bedtime. One simple exercise is to sit on the floor with the legs out at a forty-five degree angle in front. Bend forward and try to lay the chest on the floor. Repeat this up and down movement several times.

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Digestive trouble

Digestive trouble

Wrong eating is almost always the cause of stomach trouble. Don't give the child sweets, including honey, fruit juice, etc. at this time. Very softly cooked brown rice or a kuzu drink (see appendix) will calm the upset stomach. Soft-cooked vegetables can also be add¬ed to the diet.

Shiatsu and/or palm healing can be done to the child. If the
pain is in the stomach, press the back directly behind the stomach.
You will find some tender spots there. Press them gently for about
five minutes. Then, on the abdomen, rub the tummy gently and finish by placing your palm \
directly over the painful area and hold for a few
minutes.

Ginger compress can be used.

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