Pam Ferguson, Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM), AOBTA & GSD-CI, LMT
Those of us who survive metastatic cancer through various forms of integrative medicine welcome working with colleagues with hospital experience, eager to address gaps in training at both undergrad and CE levels.
To this end, I’ve been brainstorming with Steve Rogne, Dipl. ABT (NCBAHM), AOBTA-CI, director of Zen Shiatsu Chicago; Chicago-based acupuncturist Angela Lorbeck DACM, MSTOM, MPH, LAc, FMCHC; and Pa.-based shiatsu therapist and certified integrative cancer coach Wayne Mylin, Dipl. ABT (NCBAHM), AOBTA-CP. We plan a series of hybrid and Zoom workshops during 2026-27 through Steve Rogne’s school, as it is recognized as a CEU provider for a variety of practitioners in Asian and Western Medicine.
Rogne visualizes “robust training” to cross-pollinate instructors to share skills rarely observed beyond their specific fields. The aim? To swivel between Asian and Western medicine to balance theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience in a “wide range of clinical environments” he says.
Wayne’s Tips
Wayne draws on over two decades of experience listening to patients and giving them shiatsu during chemotherapy sessions at the Abramson Cancer enter at Pennsylvania Hospital (Penn-Med – Philadelphia). He created a role-model shiatsu program that later inspired the center to hire art, yoga and music therapists, as well as a chaplain.
“During those 20 years we were the envy of cancer care centers in the area,” says Mylin. After treating some 2,000 patients during chemo, he whittles his clinical experiences down to bite-size advice that can be useful for any practitioner outside of a hospital setting.
- To address frequent anxiety and discomfort in patients on chemo drips, work initially on their feet to bring down the “manifestation of rising qi stuck in their head.” Even a simple foot rub brings “immediate relief.”
- Dialogue is all important. Be open to every range of emotional outburst (weeping, annoyance, or pain). Listen, but don’t offer a “quick fix.”
- To ease pain, nausea, and anxiety, focus on P 6, P 8, L 14, St 36, and especially Du 20 combined with support at the base of the spine.
- To ease depression? Use verbal and physical support. Balance and tonify back shu points.
- For vertigo: LI 4 and footwork. Yin deficiency: St 36. Rising heat: Liv 2.
Now, as an integrative cancer coach, Wayne helps survivors develop skills necessary to navigate life changes and goals known to prompt long-term survival.
Angela’s Tips
As manager of Rush MD Anderson Chicago’s Cancer Integrative Medicine Program from 2021-2024, Dr. Lorbeck initiated the inclusion of acupuncture in collaboration with Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) to give students direct experience of a medical setting, while acquiring the many nuances of oncology care.
She has supervised 34 master’s and doctoral acupuncture students from PCHS. Accustomed to acupuncture clinic settings, her oncology interns often feel intimidated at the outset in a hospital setting. Pre-clinic grounding in meditation is all important to help interns center and focus after rushing between classes.
- Avoid needling at/around surgical sites, radiation sites, at/or near a port, prosthesis, implants, lymphatic limbs.
- Observe body language at all times. Pause if patients tear up.
- As this might be the patient’s first experience with acupuncture, tell them what to expect, explain where the needles will be inserted and why.
- Offer comfort options like blankets, and perhaps dimmed lights with music.
- Drape with care to preserve dignity.
- Be mindful of pressure around sensitive areas when locating points.
Case Study: Dr. Lorbeck shared the case of “Heather Q,” a 45-year- old mother of four who experienced knee and back pain as a result of chemo and radiation following mastectomy of her left breast. Heather Q’s left side was vulnerable already following a brain aneurysm at the age of 12, resulting in temporary paralysis of her left side and muscle weakness in her left hand. Additionally, Heather Q experienced night sweats and hot flashes as a result of chemo catapulting her into menopause. She could not receive any needling on her upper left torso or limb.
Tongue Diagnosis: Red body, red tip, white coat mid-jiao.
Pulse: Thin, rapid, moderate, weak.
To tackle spleen dampness, kidney yin, heat deficiency, and knee/back qi stagnation, interns needled bilateral SP 6, SP 9, K 3, K 6, Liv 3, Ren 4 and Shen Men. Her knee pain reduced from 10/10 to 6/10. Her back felt less stiff, inspiring Heather to walk more and thus avoid weight gain through inactivity.
Dr. Lorbeck praises the hospital internship program for offering most patients their first experience of acupuncture!
Pam’s Tips
- It is always useful to ask clients to use different colored pens or stickers on body outlines to pinpoint areas of surgery and current areas of pain. Note which colors they use where for an interesting five-element, meridian and acupoint profile.
- Avoid sweeping generalizations about cancer. Treat each client as an individual.
- Improvise qi movements that are comfortable and easy for the client to perform daily. The day after my mastectomy I started to shape circles with my hands. The exercise grew week by week into a graceful repertoire of frontal, vertical and horizontal circles. An essential way of avoiding lymphedema. I could extend my arms above my head within a few weeks of surgery. I have taught these circles worldwide through my classes and to hospital groups.
- If mobility is restricted, encourage clients to weave visualizations of favorite activities (cycling, gardening, dancing, tennis, jazzercise, etc.) into their daily meditations. Not only is this uplifting emotionally; it also moves qi through the body.
- Post-surgery, be extra mindful of comfortable treatment positions for clients. I always ask them to show me their favorite sleeping posture. I then pack cushions or pillows around them for comfort and security. Some clients prefer to be treated in a chair or recliner.
- If the client has been through a unilateral mastectomy, drape the area of surgery with a beautiful silk scarf – not only to remind you which area to avoid, but also to add a compassionate note to the session.
- If your client experiences a frozen shoulder after radiation, work the opposite side first of all, then focus on LI 10, LI 11 and LI 4. One client said her frozen shoulder made it difficult for her to comb her hair, so I suggested she place her elbows on a table so she could comb her hair without compromising her shoulder!
- Teach clients to tap P 6 and P 8 to combat nausea during or after chemo.
- For so-called “phantom pain,” perform off- the-body circular movements over the area of surgery to calm the disturbed qi; or select the main meridian that courses through the area of pain. Apply subtle pressure up (if yin) and down (if yang); then “ski” off the body over the painful area, before continuing on the body to complete the harmonization of that meridian. Repeat a couple of times.
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