Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. The traditions of Asian medicine observed physical and emotional issues as being affected by the flow of energy termed “Qi” (pronounced “chee”). Acupuncture employs fine, sterile needles to correct the flow of “Qi” in the body. When performed by our trained acupuncturist, acupuncture is safe and pain-free.

Modern investigation shows that acupuncture can have many positive effects by stimulating the release of endorphins, hormones and other chemical signals that promote healing. You may find acupuncture alleviates specific treatment-related side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, pain and other common symptoms, such as stress and insomnia. Most patients find treatments relaxing and revitalizing, with immediate relief of symptoms often occurring.

Treatments last 60 to 90 minutes and may occur once or twice a week, depending on your symptoms.
   

Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques. Typically, therapists press, rub, and manipulate the body’s muscles and other soft tissues to maintain health and restore the body to optimal functioning.
 

 

Individual counselling sessions provide time to deal with fears and concerns. Our patients often find great comfort in speaking freely about what their life, healing and mortality mean, thoughts that are not always easily shared with loved ones.

Family and friends also benefit from the opportunity to explore and find peace with their role and how to love and care for someone with cancer.

Read about Dr. Kristin Heins, Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Psychotherapist
Read about Victoria Cavaliere, Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW

• Trials have demonstrated improved quality of life and coping with cancer
• Learn meditation and mindfulness techniques that can help reduce chronic pain, anxiety and problems sleeping
• Can help in alleviating depression among cancer patients

Intravenous therapy (IV therapy) is the infusion of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances directly into the vein. IV therapy is a safe and effective treatment for a range of conditions and cancer types, and your treatment would be prescribed and individualized based on your needs.

If you are a doctor who would like to refer a patient for IV therapy at our centre, please complete this Referral Form (PDF) and email it to iccinfo@ccnm.edu.

• Intravenous Vitamin C Therapy
• Intravenous Myer’s/Nutrient Formula
• Intravenous Mistletoe
• Intravenous Glutathione

Read about Dr. Gabriella Chow, ND

• IV vitamin therapy is an effective and efficient treatment for replenishing vitamins and minerals because it bypasses the digestive system, allowing for maximal absorption
• Rehydrating the body and vitamin input is beneficial in improving energy levels
• Some studies of high-dose IV vitamin C in patients with cancer have shown improved quality of life, as well as fewer side effects

Mistletoe is one of the therapies we offer at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Clinic as part of an integrative plan to support the physical and emotional health of people with cancer. The mistletoe plant extract has been used as a complementary and integrative method to treat cancer for nearly a century.

Mistletoe can be used in malignant tumours and may stimulate bone marrow activity and the immune system and alongside conventional cancer treatments to offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite. It may also help reduce tumour-related pain and may help reduce the risk of tumour recurrence.

Mistletoe can be administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection or as an intravenous (directly into the vein) infusion.

Subcutaneous injections are taught at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Clinic, and patients continue to do these independently at home. We follow all patients on mistletoe therapy closely with 15-minute check-in appointments as needed. We adjust the dosing during these appointments based on each individual’s response

Intravenous mistletoe is administered at the CCNM Integrative Cancer Clinic. The dose of mistletoe extract is slowly increased with each treatment over several weeks, depending on the response. Often, subcutaneous and intravenous mistletoe are used together at the same time.

Your naturopathic doctor determines the dose and type of mistletoe based on your physical condition, your cancer type and characteristics, what conventional treatments you are also receiving, and your response to the therapy

We follow up and renew mistletoe prescriptions at follow-up visits; we can also book a 15-minute mistletoe-only visit between follow- ups

Mistletoe injections are among the most widely used complementary cancer treatments in Europe, where it is approved in several countries for palliative care. Research on the use and benefits of mistletoe therapy in cancer is ongoing, such as at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the US.

• Diminish cancer related pain and reduce the risk of tumour recurrence
• Stimulate the immune system and support blood counts during conventional treatments
• Offset the side effects of chemotherapy/radiation like nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and low energy

Yoga therapy involves employing various yoga practices to try and improve a health condition like cancer. We design a home yoga practice that builds on your strengths and helps balance the effect and impact of cancer on your daily life

Yoga therapy is usually taught one-to-one, but group classes can also be held where specific issues are mindfully addressed while practicing asana (postures). During your visit, our therapist will ask you a series of questions about diet, lifestyle, and health and will combine this with your personal goals to create a daily practice together.

• Excellent tool for stress reduction and calming the nervous system
• Can support the detoxification of the body and a healthy immune system
• Increases range of motion and flexibility
• Can restore strength
• May address long-term side effects like lymphedema
• Builds bone density
• Can help manage weight

Read about Miriam Patterson, Registered Yoga Therapist