Dr. Donald Liebell
Chronic Pain & Wellness Solutions:
Structural Correction
"Energy Medicine"

Are There Effective Ways to Treat Cancer Pain with Alternative Medicine?

"There are good ways to treat almost everyone with pain using both regular and alternative medicines, and we like to think they are complementary to one another, and work best when used together…  there are lots of good alternative medicines and therapies to work right in. Massage therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, relaxation, imagery, all have been shown to help people adapt to their illness"  

M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center Validates Homeopathy in the Treatment of Breast Cancer!

-Moshe Frenkel, M.D.

MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas

Regarding her survival from breast cancer, Suzanne Somers carefully considered her treatment options, and selected a course of treatment that involve both both conventional and alternative approaches, which included homeopathy

Ear Acupuncture

"In the beginning, many people were skeptical, but after seeing it demonstrated on patients and the benefits achieved -- especially in the area of pain -- the majority of physicians embraced it and learned how to use it in their practices as an adunctive therapy.

Colonel (Dr.) Richard Niemztow, M.D., PhD., M.P.H.

Radiation Oncologist, Developer of Ear Acupuncture Procedure for Dry Mouth & Eyes

- Joseph Chiang, M.D., Anesthesiologist, Professor - Department of Anesthesiology, MD Anderson Cancer Research Center 

Drugless Relief for Cancer Related Pain & Other Symptoms

    By Dr. Donald Liebell
   
   We are all grateful that advancements in cancer treatment have improved survival rates.  The treatments themselves however, can be debilitating, resulting in various side effects.  Fortunately there are many drugless treatments that can help reduce the suffering of cancer patients.  Many of the top cancer facilities throughout the world include them as part of treatment.  In this article, I will discuss my favorites.

     Acupuncture and Cancer Pain Management

   Acupuncture has been documented in medical journals to be helpful to cancer patients in many ways.  For example, one study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, revealed that acupuncture was actually more effective than a drug used for side effects of post-breast cancer hormone therapy. 

   Another good example is a study published in the December 6, 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.  High-dose chemotherapy patients, who suffered nausea, were found to get better results from a combination of anti-nausea medication and electro-acupuncture—rather than medication alone. 

     Ear Acupuncture for Relief

   For over 30 years, a specialized system of ear acupuncture (Auricular Therapy) has been utilized as a complementary treatment for pain from cancer, when conventional medication has been ineffective.  In November, 2003, the Journal of Clinical Oncology published a study that revealed clear evidence that cancer patients benefited from this specialized form of acupuncture. 

     The Astonishing Treatment for Dry Mouth and Eyes

   One of the most remarkable examples of the use of ear acupuncture is the case of chronic dry mouth or eyes.  It has been a thrill to see ear (and hand) acupuncture immediately restore saliva and tears to long suffering patients, who lost salivary gland and/or tear duct function after chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  An entire article on this website is devoted to this astonishing acupuncture protocol

     Homeopathic Medicine for Cancer Patients

   Homeopathy is not by any means a stand-alone treatment for cancer.  One must understand that homeopathy is not a disease-oriented approach altogether.  Rather it is a patient-oriented approach intended to naturally help strengthen the patient’s defenses. 

   Homeopathy can work magnificently as a supplement to conventional cancer treatment. Its goal is detoxification and strengthening of the immune system.  It is a very powerful tool for cancer patients, and it has been used throughout the world for over 200 years.  An entire article has been devoted to homeopathy on this website as well.  Actress, author and patient advocate, Suzanne Somers has documented her personal success with homeopathy, as part of her successful fight against cancer.

     Landmark Breast Cancer and Homeopathy Research

   Skeptics of homeopathy, who reject more than 200 years of clinical evidence of its effectiveness, may need to publicly hang their heads in shame.  MD Anderson Cancer Center published a study revealing that four specific homeopathic remedies were effective toward killing breast cancer cells…without harming healthy cells! 

   To those who have prescribed homeopathic treatments and/or taken them; this is no surprise.  MD Anderson Cancer Center is America’s top institution.  The study was entitled, "Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells"  Moshe Frenkel,  M.D., who led the study stated:

   "We felt that homeopathy needed to be tested in the same way that we test new chemotherapeutic drugs. We were quite impressed to find that homeopathic remedies have similar effects to chemotherapy on breast cancer cells but without affecting normal cells, a very exciting finding. As far as we know, this is the first study that evaluated the effect of homeopathic remedies on breast cancer cells."

   One of the important points is that the findings of the MD Anderson study ruled out the “placebo effect” as an explanation of the success of homeopathy.  Critics of homeopathy love to claim that results are nothing but placebo.  This study thrashed that pathetic old attack.  It provided strong evidence that homeopathic remedies can affect cancer cells without harming healthy ones.  What’s even more fascinating is that two of the homeopathic remedies used in the study were found to have similar action to Taxol, the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer!

Click HERE to download the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center - Original Medical Abstract on Homeopathy and Breast Cancer 

   If you have breast cancer, you should be aware that homeopathic treatment is different for each individual; there isn’t one approach for all people and all types of cancer.  You should not attempt self-treatment.  If you are not familiar with homeopathic medicine, I suggest you read my comprehensive article on this website.

   I can’t stress enough that I am not a cancer specialist.  I don’t treat cancer.   However, I certainly treat PEOPLE who have (or have had) many types of cancer.  It is my privilege and joy to help sufferers and survivors of cancer to manage pain and other symptoms, and improve quality of life. 

   I utilize several procedures that are classified as “complementary and alternative medicine.”  Normally, I’m not too fond of that terminology.  In my opinion, it gives a negative impression of safe and effective practices and procedures that have been practiced for ages—far longer than many practices of so-called “conventional” Western medicine.  However in the case of treatment of cancer patients, it is my very assertion that my role is indeed complementary (but NOT alternative) to chemotherapy, radiation, and any other treatment prescribed by one’s oncologist, internist or other physician. 

   Procedures such as Atlas Orthogonal (a spinal correction specialty), homeopathy, ear acupuncture, and cold laser therapy can provide blessed relief and improved function to many cancer patients.

     Look to the Spine

   Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine (460-370 BC), described treatment of spinal misalignment in his monumental work known as the Corpus Hippocrateum: "Look well to the spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases."  Socrates (469-399 BC) advised, "If you would seek health, look first to the spine."

   Many cancer patients have found relief through chiropractic spinal treatment.  However, not too many cancer specialist appear to be aware of the benefits their patients may receive from this magnificent healing science and art.  Noted New York based immunologist and cancer specialist, Nicholas Gonzales, M.D. has been an exception.  He has been long aware of the effectiveness of a particular chiropractic approach called Atlas Orthogonal. 

   The rationale for spinal treatment is that improved function of ones nervous system is critical to fighting the battle against cancer...  no matter what other treatment approaches (chemotherapy, radiation, nutritional, homeopathic, herbal, etc.) are being utilized.  Precision spinal correction, particularly at the upper neck can be a wonderful complementary approach to cancer treatment, to help boost nerve and immune system function.

   Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez has investigated and utilized nutritional approaches to cancer and other degenerative diseases since 1981.  The doctor has appeared on many television and radio programs, as well as being featured in the wonderful patient advocated books written by Suzanne Somers.  I have been privileged to meet Dr. Gonzalez, as he has spoken many times at conferences on Atlas Orthogonal that I have attended.

   A great deal of information regarding Atlas Orthogonal is available throughout this website, since it is one of the cornerstones of my practice.  This procedure has been featured on the popular television program, "The Doctors" as well as the "Montel Williams Show."  The Atlas Orthogonal procedure has been studied and published in both medical and chiropractic journals.  I am very proud to one of the few board certified doctors in the world to provide this remarkable health service.  I appreciate the efforts Dr. Nicholas Gonzales has made to advocate this procedure to cancer patients.  This is the true spirit of integrative health care.  A cooperative or complementary approach is important for all health care, but never more important than when it comes to cancer patients.  Every "helping hand" is appreciated and necessary.

    For more information on complementary protocols, read the articles throughout this website.  If you have any questions, you are welcome to email me. 

   Please keep in mind that I cannot and will not provide any diagnostic or treatment opinions regarding any type of cancer.  My role is not in the direct treatment of cancer, but rather improving quality of life and promoting health for those afflicted with it.