Integrative Medicine Center Clinical Services
Clinical services at the Integrative Medicine Center are designed to help our patients deal with the stress and anxiety of cancer treatment and improve their sense of well being. Our services also encourage patients to adopt lifestyle changes that can minimize the impact of the disease and may reduce the chance of recurrence.
Integrative oncology physician consultation
Integrative medicine is an evidence-based approach to providing healthcare. It combines conventional medicine with complementary health approaches. Complementary health approaches include nutrition and dietary supplements and mind/body practices such as meditation, yoga, massage and acupuncture.
These complementary approaches do not replace standard treatments such as surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Instead, they work with these treatments to improve patients’ health and quality of life.
What is integrative oncology?
Integrative oncology applies integrative medicine to people affected by cancer. At MD Anderson, patients interested in integrative medicine should start with an integrative oncology physician consultation.
These consultations are available to inpatients and outpatients through the Integrative Medicine Center.
During the consultation, the physician will develop a personalized integrative care plan for you. This may include a discussion on the benefits and risks of herbs and supplements, along with referrals to work with other members of our clinical team. These services include health psychology, nutrition counseling, exercise counseling provided by physical therapists, yoga therapy, acupuncture and oncology massage.
Who performs integrative oncology physician consultations?
Consultations are performed by MD Anderson faculty physicians with expertise in integrative medicine and complementary health approaches.
Meet our Integrative Medicine Center physicians.
3 myths you shouldn’t believe about integrative medicine
You might think that the terms “integrative medicine” and “alternative medicine” are interchangeable, or that they mean the same thing. But these phrases describe very different concepts. In fact, they are almost polar opposites.
- Alternative medicine refers to herbal supplements, detox diets, “healing” crystals and other unproven methods that are meant to replace conventional health treatments.
- Integrative medicine, meanwhile, refers to the practice of using techniques such as massage, yoga, music therapy, acupressure and acupuncture to enhance or complement conventional health treatments.
“Understanding that distinction is incredibly important,” notes Gabriel Lopez, M.D., a supportive care specialist and medical oncologist who serves as medical director of our Integrative Medicine Center. “Because when patients are considering less-conventional approaches to health care — especially cancer treatment — it’s critical that they be safe and evidence-based.”
Here are two other myths you shouldn’t believe about integrative medicine.
Myth #2: Alternative medicine is just as good as integrative medicine
Fact: Many alternative “therapies” remain unproven and are not supported by scientific evidence. They may also interfere with how well cancer treatment works.
“Alternative therapies could make your chemotherapy or radiation therapy less effective,” notes Lopez. “They could even increase your side effects or cause organ damage.”
But various integrative medicine options at MD Anderson have already demonstrated their value through clinical trials.
- Acupuncture for dry mouth: One study, published by Integrative Medicine Director Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., in 2019, found that patients who received acupuncture during radiation treatments for head and neck cancers experienced significantly less dry mouth.
- Yoga for insomnia and fatigue: Another study, published in 2017, documented yoga’s effectiveness in reducing insomnia among women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. A third study, published in 2011, explored how yoga eased fatigue and improved the overall quality of life among breast cancer patients receiving treatment.
“We don’t offer these therapies just because we like them,” adds Lopez. “We offer them because there’s strong evidence that they work.”
Myth #3: Integrative medicine is just one kind of treatment
Fact: Integrative medicine does not refer to just one specific type of treatment, such as acupuncture.
“It’s actually much more than that,” Lopez says. “Integrative medicine is an entire philosophy: a way of approaching patient care that addresses a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social health. Depending on what a patient is looking for, we can use some combination of these interventions before, during or after their cancer treatments to:
- reduce symptoms and side effects
- improve quality of life and treatment outcomes
- reduce the risk of recurrence
Patients who visit MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center may also receive physical therapy from licensed physical therapists, nutritional counseling from registered dietitians, or tips from behavioral psychologists on how to stay active or end unhealthy habits.
“Cancer allows patients to pause and really examine their lifestyles,” Lopez says. “They can revisit some areas that maybe haven’t gotten much attention before and make positive changes. That’s how some of our patients actually end up healthier after completing treatment than they were before their cancer diagnosis.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or call 1-877-632-6789.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses thin needles inserted in the skin at specific points in the body to treat multiple health conditions.
It has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years. It is a safe, gentle, evidence-based medical treatment.
Many hospitals now offer acupuncture. It can be used on its own or with other therapies to relieve the negative side effects of cancer treatments, manage cancer symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
What are the potential benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture does not treat cancer directly. Instead, it can be used alongside conventional care to help provide relief from cancer and cancer treatment-related side effects.
Acupuncture can help with:
- Anxiety
- Cancer-related pain
- Chemotherapy-induced and post-operative nausea and vomiting
- Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
- Constipation
- depression
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Slowing/stopping of the gastrointestinal tract after surgery
Who performs acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatments should only be provided by a qualified, state licensed acupuncturist. In Texas, acupuncturists are required to sit for national board exams given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
NCCAOM requires that all acupuncturists complete a minimum four-year graduate-level program from an accredited acupuncture school. All acupuncturists complete continuing education courses to maintain their certification.
Exercise and physical activity consultations
Exercise can help cancer patients suffering from fatigue, poor balance, depression/anxiety, loss of appetite and other symptoms. It may also help prevent new or recurring cancers. But what exercise is right and safe for you? Our physical therapists can evaluate your fitness level and develop an exercise plan just for you.
Health psychology
Cancer can take a huge emotion toll on patients. Meeting with one of our licensed clinical psychologists can help. Starting with an evaluation, our psychologist will develop a treatment plan that will help you deal with symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Interventions may include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing and other mind-body practices.
Learn more about health psychology.
Music therapy
Engaging in evidence-based music therapy interventions can address a wide range of symptoms. Research shows that music interventions can help patients deal with stress, reduce pain, express their feelings, enhance their memory, and improve communication. A board-certified music therapist uses music to help relieve symptoms associated with cancer and treatment-related symptoms, support rehabilitation and enhance quality of life. The Integrative Medicine Center provides music therapy for adult inpatients and outpatient group music therapy classes for patients and caregivers. No previous musical experience is required.
Nutrition counseling
Though cancer and its treatments can make it hard to eat, good nutrition is important for patients. Eating right reduces fatigue and improves quality of life. By keeping up your weight and muscle mass, you’ll also recover more quickly once treatment is over.
The Integrative Medicine Center offers nutrition counseling from a dietitian certified in oncology nutrition. During these sessions, you’ll get a nutrition plan for treatment recovery along with advice for managing your weight. You’ll also learn how to change your eating habits and get information on topics like organics, “super foods” and special diets.
Oncology massage
Oncology massage is massage therapy modified for cancer patients. It can help reduce nausea, anxiety and pain for patients at all stages, from active treatment to recovery to near the end of life. Research suggests that stress-reduction programs tailored to the cancer setting, such as massage, may help patients cope with treatment side effects and improve quality of life. The Integrative Medicine Center offers oncology massage for MD Anderson outpatients and inpatients.
Patients with certain medical conditions must consult with their physician and the massage therapist prior to any massage session. Some patients are not eligible for massage therapy.
Yoga Therapy
Research shows that yoga can reduce the severity of cancer symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life at the physical, psychological and spiritual levels. Other health benefits include:
- reduced stress
- enhanced feelings of relaxation and calm
- increased flexibility
- improved balancereduced inflammation
- reductions in fatigue and sleep disturbances.
Yoga therapy sessions from the Integrative Medicine Center focus on techniques like gentle stretching, breathing, yoga postures and meditation. All programs are taught by a certified yoga therapist who specializes in cancer care. MD Anderson inpatients and outpatients can request one-on-one yoga therapy referrals from their care team.
The center also offers Yoga for Health group classes to patients and caregivers. Referrals are not required. View our group classes calendar for class times and how to register.