Oncology Acupuncture

Acupuncture offers oncology support if you’re about to start treatment for cancer, are currently in treatment, or are out of treatment.  It’s ideal that acupuncture begins BEFORE starting chemotherapy or radiation.  Evidence based medicine indicates that this will prevent side effects, decrease their intensity and shorten their duration so that you have a higher quality of life and can continue to enjoy activities of daily living.Acupuncture and e-stim therapies successfully relieve…

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Xerostomia
• Headache
• Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Neuropathy
• Insomnia

Dr. Kevan’s Survivorship Clinic specializes in offering support for patients who are currently undergoing treatment, or have finished and still need care.Dr. Kevan’s care is focused on a 3,000 year old healing art that’s supported by modern, evidence based medicine (EBM)…Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF): Acupuncture is an effective intervention for managing symptoms of CRF and increasing patients’ quality of living.  A study showed that CRF affects 25-99% of patients during treatment and may take 1 year to improve after stopping therapy.  The most common complaint of survivors, more than 50%, is of the late effect of fatigue. 74% of patients who received acupuncture specifically for fatigue, reported improved energy within 24 hours.

• Research shows that biomarkers change at 3 months, 6 months and 1 yr.
• To relieve CRF, I will assess diet, activity and sleep; consider that fatigue is caused by a complex pattern; how fatigue presents uniquely to you; check symptoms of depression.Treatment plan: acupuncture 2x week for 4-6 weeks and then 1x week for 2-4 weeks for a total of 6-10 visits.  Even treatment 1x week with only a few points needled will increase  energy.

Mouth Dryness / Xerostomia: Dr. Gary Deng, MD and Director of Integrative Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC conducted a study showing the mechanism of action of how acupuncture insites a biological response.

• The mechanism was checked via MRI to see if the neurological function of the areas of the brain for salivation were activated.
• The biological response was an improvement in the quantity of saliva.
• The saliva was measured before and after acupuncture and the MRI showed an increase in blood flow, increase in blood volume, and an increase in oxygen metabolism to areas of the brain (the cortistol regions of the insula and operculum, bilaterally) that are associated with saliva production.
• Such neuroimaging studies provide a bridge between Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine.  Other evidence based medicine studies show the mechanism of action underlying acupuncture induced analgesia and generate new leads for future research.
• Treatment plan, acupuncture + estim: 2x week for 12 weeks for a total of 24 visits.

Dr. Kevan’s Oncology Background…

In 2013, Dr. Kevan began working in the oncology field at the integrative therapies department at St. Charles Cancer Center in Bend, Oregon.  When the brand new, state of the art Cancer Center was designed, it included a wing specially for the integrative therapies dept to work under one roof with the medical oncology, radiation therapies and infusion departments.  A decade in effect, the program is so successful, there’s a waitlist to receive acupuncture.

In 2017, Dr, Kevan’s dad passed away after a courageous fight with cancer.In 2020, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma and had surgery on the top of her nose to remove it; the multiple, painful procedures, chemotherapy and healing process were emotionally, physically, mentally, socially and financially daunting.  After Dr. Kevan’s recovery, she launched into an international oncology course at the TCM Academy of Integrative Medicine, studying with Dr. Yair Maimon PhD in Israel, Dr. Julia Hartung MD in Germany, Dr. Noah Samuels MD in Israel, the World-Renowned Practitioner of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Maciocia, and others.

As a 2021 graduate of TCM Academy’s 50 hour, international, Oncology Acupuncture Program, Dr. Kevan is equipped with the specialist skills necessary to support all stages of your cancer journey. She has a fundamental understanding of both Allopathic and Chinese medical concepts of cancer development, diagnosis, treatment, and references the latest research in the field.

The combined skills earned from advanced oncology academia, continuous research in the field, and the in-depth experience of supporting cancer patients, survivors, family members, and herself set her competency apart from other holistic practitioners.  Dr. Kevan has an empathic and compassionate approach to your care; she feels your fear, your pain, the loss of the quality of your life, your side effects from treatment.

We have all been touched by cancer; whether you, or a loved one, received a diagnosis.  It’s Dr. Kevan’s utmost honor to collaborate with your medical oncology team and support you as you navigate this very tumultuous terrain and strive for optimal wellness.  Together, we can make a truly significant contribution to your treatment plan and reach your unique health goals.Please call 727.677.8006 for additional information.  Dr. Kevan is here for you.