Complementary and Integrative Therapies

 Laurl at ONS 

Welcome to the ONS Hot Topic Chats! Today’s expert is Dr, Heidi Lucas, who will be talking with us about Complimentary and Integrative Therapies. Welcome Heidi!

 heidilucas 

Hello everyone, thank you for having me, hope everyone is doing well on Monday!

 Laurl at ONS 

Heidi, to get the ball rolling, can you tell us what a Naturopathic doctor does?

 heidilucas 

Naturopathic Doctor is trained in the same way as a conventional doctor, only we also learn the modalities of botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, physical medicine and counseling.

 heidilucas 

I work in an integrated oncology clinic with 2 medical doctors and a doctor of oriental medicine. I see all of the patients for support before, during and after conventional therapy.

 heidilucas 

Do any of you use alternative medicine in your practices?

 stephanie Carpenito 

Do insurances pay for your involvement in the treatment plan?

 ddemella@comcast.net 

Hi, I am an RN, a registered polarity practitioner, Reiki Master and RYSE practitioner, realizing your sublime energy.

 heidilucas 

Yes most insurance accept ND on their networks in Washington state; however Medicare does not cover us.

 ddemella@comcast.net 

My question is to find out more about how complementary therapies are being utilized in hospital settings.

 heidilucas 

Welcome to the chat energy healer, tell me about your practice...

 heidilucas 

I work in the clinic setting and my other CTCA colleagues work in the hospitals. Basically every patient sees an ND for counseling and support during their treatments.

 heidilucas 

We use herbs, nutrition, supplemental therapies and IV therapies if indicated.

 ddemella@comcast.net 

You can check it out online polaritytherapy.org; started by Dr. Randolph Stone, promoting optimum health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have worked with hospice patients for 5 years who have requested this. It promotes optimum health; I had 2 pts for one year and many peaceful deaths. Now work with cancer pts as I am a brain tumor survivor as well. It complements other convention therapies well.

 heidilucas 

RE: NDs: For example a patient presents with neuropathy or is at risk for neuropathy they are referred to us for naturopathic support.

 heidilucas 

ddemella wonderful! I imagine you have a great impact on your clients; thank you for doing it... we need more people working in hospice in that way.

 stephanie Carpenito 

I am dealing with a patient with neuropathic pain from lymph node dissection. She has just started on Neurotin®, would you also recommend I suggest she look into polarity in addition to what the oncologist has prescribed?

 ddemella@comcast.net 

Unfortunately, people need a strong motivator to try something new to them. It benefits everyone to reach a higher level of awareness and quality of life, staying healthy.

 heidilucas 

Yes polarity can be helpful. I do work with physical therapists that can break up some of the scar tissue. I also give people yogic stretches, topical St. John's wort oil and supplemental alpha lipoic acid or acetyl l- carnitine... Vitamin E and or Bromelain if it seems like scar tissue is the main problem.

 ddemella@comcast.net 

Yes, I would, It helps the body, mind and spirit function at its highest level, and is very calming and peaceful which is conducive to healing.

 stephanie Carpenito 

That’s helpful and I am realizing this patient can probably afford such "extra therapies”. What are you up against in Washington (state?) in terms of payment for these approaches?

 heidilucas 

Our insurance here is supportive for the most part of NDs, Acupuncture and massage; they do not pay for any supplements or herbs; they do pay for some IV vitamin therapies.

 ddemella@comcast.net 

I have had clients have good results with any pain. What I see is, the client has the opportunity to become more aware of the subtleties, and feels more emotionally, then the physical pain diminishes. We are an integrated system. It all leads to awareness, choices, support.

 heidilucas 

Yes I agree, often people are holding their breath when they are in pain which only worsens the problem... anything that gets them to settle and relax, breath is always helpful. I use yogic breathing for this...

 Laurl at ONS 

What would you do for post-herpetic neuralgia?

 heidilucas 

I use B12 injections or oral qday, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory herbs and topical and or homeopathic St' John's wort oil.

 Laurl at ONS 

Is the St. John's wort oil always topically applied?

 Hemeoncnurse 

What do you recommend for management of anemia?

 heidilucas 

Re: St. John’s Wort oil: Yes twice a day on and around the affected area; it is great for nerve pain and it has anti-viral properties; topical does not interfere with any medications in the way that oral can.

 heidilucas 

For anemia I find the best is prevention through regular exercise; this stimulates one’s natural erythropoietin (EPO). Also correcting Iron, B12 and folate deficiency. I also use herbs if indicated. For example: nettle leaf, yellow dock, astragalus.

 ddemella@comcast.net 

I have to go now. Nice chatting with you. This is a good idea. I like the idea of nurses communicating about what works and how to support each other. Thank you, Deb

 heidilucas 

Thank you, much healing to you!

 heidilucas 

I encourage patients to start slow with the exercise, 15-30 minute a day; it doesn't have to be an intense workout, something as simple as walking can make a difference.

 heidilucas 

Also in terms of their nutrition, make sure they are getting enough protein and healthy fats for cell support. In Chinese medicine they often use "marrow broths" and I find that can help too.

 Laurl at ONS 

What is a marrow broth?

 heidilucas 

I know it sounds intense, but you ask at the store for bones to make stock with these are rich in marrow, boil them and use with veggies or meat for a nutrient dense broth.

 heidilucas 

Or if patients are vegetarian I use mushroom extracts from shitake, maitake, coreolus or reishi. These also have some immune support properties as well.

 Laurl at ONS 

Heidi, how do you handle fatigue from a naturopathic perspective?

 heidilucas 

I always start with trying to find the cause. For example is it just chemo or do they have concurrent anemia, hypothyroid, life stress etc... Then I make sure they are getting enough in nutritionally, we move on to herbs or supplementation from there.

 kmorris 

How do you feel about the supplement IP6? And should our patients take this while on chemo or radiation?

 heidilucas 

Re: fatigue: I use breathing exercise with all my patients if they are open to it, you would be surprised how many people notice a difference. I like adrenal support herbs, siberian ginseng, ashwaganda, rhodiola.

 heidilucas 

I think IP6 has some interesting research on it. I don't use it as much because there are other agents that seem more compelling. I am not aware of any interactions with treatment.

 Hemeoncnurse 

What is it used for?

 stephanie Carpenito 

Is there any set of recommendations you have for general support during chemotherapy or radiation?

 heidilucas 

RE: IP6 use: I believe to improve cell to cell communication, as an anti-cancer agent.

 kmorris 

What other agents are being looked at for cancer patients?

 heidilucas 

General support recommendations: For radiation and chemo nutritionally: protein and healthy fats (omega 3, olive oil, grapeseed oil coconut oil) I am very specific with patients on chemo due to some interactions. In radiation I use some synergistic agents: turmeric, genestein, ashwaganda.

 heidilucas 

Many other agents are being looked at, the most studied right now are turmeric, resvertrol, mushroom extracts.

 stephanie Carpenito 

Thank You Heidi, I feel like I am walking away with something more to offer my patient with neuropathic pain. At this point I am at a loss for other questions. Could you suggest an online resource for me for future questions?

 heidilucas 

General recommendations that you don't have to worry about tend to be through nutrition as above protein and fats.

 Laurl at ONS 

Stephanie, the previous three chats on his topic have transcripts posted on the ONS webpage. They are full of great information as well as references at the end of each one that I’m sure you'll find additional information in that will serve you and your patients. You can find these at www.ons.org-CNE Central-Index-online chats- Hot Topics- Past transcripts.

 heidilucas 

Thank you Stephanie, much healing to you. Online OncANP.org is the Naturopathic site for oncology they can perhaps hook you up with someone in your area.

 kmorris 

I understand Ginseng is an adaptogen. Can you tell us how you choose which one?

 Laurl at ONS 

It’s about five minutes before the end of our chat- please don’t stop asking questions! However, when you can, please take a moment after the chat to cut and paste this URL into a browser window and take our very brief survey - we’d love to hear what you think of these chats! The URL is http://research.zarca.com/k/RsTUTRsTPPsXYURUsPsP

 kmorris 

Sorry, Can you tell us how you choose since there are 3 types?

 heidilucas 

I use a lot of Siberian ginseng because it is more of a strengthening tonic for the adrenals. The Panax and Korean ginsengs are more stimulating and I find often they can be too much for someone on treatment.

 heidilucas 

I do use Panax and Korean only if someone has a strong constitution and they don't have a lot of anxiety. There is also American ginseng which is more similar to Siberian, acting like a tonic or overall strengthener for the body.

 heidilucas 

I use a lot of Ashwaganda -it is the East Indian equivalent to ginseng and it has been studied in the cancer population for immune, energy and mood support. There is also some interesting research on its synergy with radiation.

 kmorris 

I understand a lot of the Indian herbs can be adulterated. Is there a certain brand you use?

 heidilucas 

All of these adrenal herbs / adaptogens are great for after treatment as well. I use brand that have been independently tested such as Vital Nutrients, Thorne, Ayush.

 Laurl at ONS 

Unfortunately, we are out of time - thanks to you all for great participation and a great chat. Thank you Heidi for all of your expertise! Please join us for the next series starting this Wednesday: Infectious Complications.

 kmorris 

Thank you. Gotta go. Good information.

 heidilucas 

Thank you, have a lovely rest of your day, much healing to you!