Mistletoe Therapy

Mistletoe therapy has been used in cancer care since 1917 and is now among the most prescribed adjunctive cancer therapy in Europe for patients with cancer.
Mistletoe therapy can improve quality of life by lessening side effects such as fatigue, nausea/vomiting, low appetite, low energy, and pain associated with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and/or radiation while simultaneously protecting healthy cells from damage. It has also been shown to improve overall survival in cancer patients.

How Does It Work?

Mistletoe extract contains lectins and viscotoxins that stimulates key cancer fighting immune cells such as NK cells and cytotoxic T-cells to improve our bodies defense against cancer. Cell studies have showed the ability of mistletoe extracts to directly target cancer cells through apoptosis which helps to supress tumor growth and spread.

Mistletoe extracts also contain flavonoids and triterpenoids which protect healthy cells from damage caused by excess radiation/drugs through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Is There Scientific Research To Support Mistletoe Therapy For Cancer?

Studies on the use of mistletoe therapy in cancer are ongoing, such as at Johns Hopkins Medicine in the USA. There are also more than 3000 publications and 150 clinical studies have been done on mistletoe thus far.

A summary of current findings:

• Improvement in quality of life (reduces fatigue and pain; improves energy, mood, and sleep quality)
• Improvement in overall survival
• Safe to use alongside conventional therapies studied
• Strong immunomodulatory effects (increases immune function, decreases tumor growth)

Breast cancer: In patients with breast cancer undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, mistletoe extract had no adverse interactions alongside chemotherapy and improved overall pain, appetite loss and neutropenia (decreased white blood cell count) as well as perceived quality of life.

As compared to breast cancer patients who received standard of care only, the administration of mistletoe was found to decrease adverse reactions (nausea, diarrhea, depression, fatigue, and mental symptoms) associated with standard of care cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.

Pancreatic cancer: In patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who received no further treatment for pancreatic cancer other than supportive care, administration of mistletoe extract was associated with improved pain, fatigue, appetite loss, sleep quality, body weight, and prolonged overall survival. No mistletoe-related adverse events were observed.

Colorectal and stomach cancer: In patients with carcinoma of the colon, rectum and stomach, long term use of mistletoe extract was found to prolong survival time.
Lung cancer: In patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were provided with standard of care conventional treatments, quality of life was significantly improved for patients who were treated with concurrent mistletoe extract treatment.
In addition, the occurrence of adverse events associated with standard of care treatments were less frequent in the mistletoe treatment group.

How Is It Administered?
You can find many different ways to give mistletoe extracts, but it is most often given as an injection. Less common methods include orally or through an IV Therapy drip.
Mistletoe is most often injected under the skin (subcutaneously) on the abdomen or thigh 2-3 times a week, starting from a low dose and working up towards higher doses to continually stimulate immunity and provide quality of life benefits. Mistletoe therapy is a long-term treatment.

After careful screening of patient history and current health status, we will determine the type of mistletoe therapy best suited for you.
We will then familiarize you with the treatment, demonstrate how to self-administer mistletoe, and provide you will all the supplies needed to continue the therapy independently at home.

Is It Safe?
Mistletoe therapy has an excellent safety profile. It can be safely used during chemotherapy and/or radiation to enhance treatment outcomes and increase treatment tolerability.

It can also be used after curative treatment, or in palliative therapy to improve quality of life, stabilize disease, and reduce progression or recurrence. In general, mistletoe therapy is well tolerated in adults and has little side effects or negative interactions with other therapies.
Mistletoe therapy is not recommended for individuals with multiple sclerosis, lupus or uncontrolled hyperthyroidism with tachycardia due to its immune stimulating effects and potential for aggravating symptoms.

Does It Have Any Side Effects?
There are desired local reactions to mistletoe therapy that is caused by infiltration of activated immune cells. This reaction indicates to the practitioner that it is positively stimulating anti-cancer immunity and can help to determine the maximum dose for the patient at a given time. Desired effects:

• Temporary localized redness < 5 cm in diameter and minor swelling and itching of the skin
• Temporary elevation in body temperature
• Improvement in general condition
• Improved tolerability of chemotherapy and/or radiation
• Long term: stabilization of disease progression

An anaphylactic allergic reaction to mistletoe extract is rare. It is important to let your health practitioner know of any pre-existing allergies before initiating mistletoe therapy.

How Much Does It Cost?
$20-25 per treatment (2-3 treatments per week) per injection. If you were to use IV Therapy for mistletoe therapy, prices can range from $125 and up.
There are also oral supplements with mistletoe extract on the market. These range in quality and it would be suggested to talk to a professional about the brand before ordering online.

How Do I Start Therapy?

If you want to take full advantage of mistletoe therapy, make sure that it’s part of your overall health plan. This means you could also add IV therapy and would want to look at the foods you are eating.

Before initiating mistletoe therapy, an initial consultation is required for a comprehensive assessment of your health history and current health status. This consultation will also help to determine the type of mistletoe extract and treatment plan best suited for you.

Following the initial visit, a shorter consultation is required to familiarize you with the treatment, demonstrate how to self-administer mistletoe, and provide you will all the supplies needed to continue the therapy independently at home.

Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor tolerance and response to treatment as well as if there are any changes to your conventional treatment which may require modification of mistletoe therapy.

Naturopathic medicine is a great option for those who are looking to supplement their conventional cancer treatment with something that will help them feel better, not just during the process of fighting it but also after surgery or chemotherapy.

If you want to find out more about mistletoe therapy, you can book a free 15 minute call with Dr. Irina Chan, ND by clicking here.

References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25142075/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23890767/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11347286/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30247950/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15015612/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14981970/

Does Facial Acupuncture Really Work Without Side Effects Of Botox, Laser, And Chemical Peels?

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of acupuncture or maybe even tried it in the past. Have you ever thought about facial acupuncture for wrinkles and rejuvenating your skin without the serious side effects of Botox, laser treatment, and chemical peels?

If you haven’t yet, then this article will tell you everything you need to know about how facial acupuncture can help you look and feel younger.

As you age, your body’s ability to produce collagen decreases which contributes to visible signs of aging: wrinkles, dry skin, dull complexion, and sagging skin. All things we would rather live without!

There are many lotions, creams and expensive serums people use to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. While some work better than others, the results are temporary.

Looking for a more long-lasting solution, some people turn to more invasive procedures that come with an elevated risk of side effects. With some being quite serious.

Some of these facial treatments include:

• Botox – You are literally injecting a toxin into your face
• Chemical peels – A chemical peel literally uses chemicals to remove layers of skin
• Laser treatment – You are using a laser beam destroy the outer layer of your skin

All have some serious side effects you really want to avoid.

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in acupuncture, and some get additional training for facial, or cosmetic, acupuncture.

What Exactly Is Facial Acupuncture?

Cosmetic (or facial) Acupuncture & Facial Rejuvenation is the new and improved way to get rid of those unwanted signs of aging!

It works by guiding fine needles into key points on your face, neck or other areas where you want to rejuvenate.

This treatment helps reduce visible skin imperfections such as wrinkles while also promoting radiant looking healthy glowing complexion. There are minimal side effects so there’s no need for risky invasive treatments with a lot of harmful side effects.

How Does Facial Acupuncture Work?

Facial acupuncture involves the insertion of ultra-fine, sterile needles into the superficial layer of the skin.

This process accelerates collagen and elastin production to increase volume and smooth out fine lines located on the forehead (frown lines), eyes (crow’s feet), cheeks, around the mouth (smile lines), and neck area.

In addition, facial acupuncture promotes circulation and increased blood flow to the face. By increasing blood flow, additional moisture and nutrients flow to the surface of the skin to promote healing and regeneration of new dermal tissue, which is useful for reducing the appearance of age spots, acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Additional acupuncture points can be added to treatment to address other concerns such as sleep, stress, anxiety, pain, and digestion.

Why should you try Facial Acupuncture:

• Helps to naturally reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production
• Lightens acne scarring, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and other scars
• Increases blood flow the surface of the skin to promote skin healing
• Helps lymphatic drainage of the face to detoxify the skin of dirt, toxins, and other impurities
• Improves skin tone, texture, and elasticity for younger-looking skin
• It’s 100% natural. You are not injecting toxins, using chemicals or harmful lasers

How Long Is a Facial Acupuncture Session?

A typical session is 45-60 mins long and includes facial massage, gua sha and jade rolling that can promote lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, and release muscle tension in the face.

Is facial acupuncture safe?

Yes, facial acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a licensed acupuncturist or Naturopathic doctor. The needles used are sterile, thin, and disposable.

However; facial acupuncture is not recommended for those who are concurrently getting microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser resurfacing or have had cosmetic surgery less than four months prior.

It is also not recommended for those who have severe migraines or who are currently taking Accutane or oral isotretinoin.

What can I expect during a facial acupuncture treatment?

During a facial acupuncture treatment, very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the face. You may feel a small prick when the needles are inserted. After the needles are inserted, you will likely feel relaxed and may even fall asleep. Most treatments last between 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Does facial acupuncture hurt?

No, this treatment should not hurt. The needles used are very fine and most people report feeling relaxed during the treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments needed will vary from person to person depending on your individual goals and needs. For general anti-aging purposes, most people receive 1-2 treatments per week for 5-7 weeks. For more specific concerns such as acne, a series of 8-10 treatments may be recommended.

Benefits vary from person to person and can last for years following 10-14 sessions. Most people feel improvements in hydration, radiance, and muscle tone after just a few sessions. However, repeated treatments are required to see noticeable improvements in skin texture, elasticity, and discoloration. We recommend monthly sessions for maintenance of benefits.

What are the side effects of facial acupuncture?

The most common side effect of facial acupuncture is minor redness or temporary discomfort at the needle sites. Other possible side effects include bruising, dizziness, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are typically mild and resolve on their own within a few days.

Is facial acupuncture covered by insurance?

Facial acupuncture is not typically covered by insurance. However, some insurance plans may cover facial acupuncture if it is being used for medical purposes such as headaches or pain relief. Please check with your insurance provider to see if facial acupuncture is covered under your plan.

Does facial acupuncture really reduce wrinkles and help skin look younger without all the side effects of Botox, Laser and Chemical Peels?

Yes, facial acupuncture can help to reduce wrinkles and promote radiant skin without the side effects of Botox, laser, and chemical peels. Facial acupuncture is a natural, non-toxic, minimally invasive treatment with little or no side effects or recovery time.

Can facial acupuncture help acne?

In addition to addressing diet, lifestyle and other factors, facial acupuncture helps to reduce the severity and frequency of acne lesions by reducing inflammation (redness and swelling) and preventing the build-up of dead skin cells, oil, and impurities on the face. It can be also very beneficial for acne scarring. Needling into scars induces small skin perforations that stimulate the break down of scar tissue and enhance the regeneration of new skin tissue. The result is a lesser appearance of acne scarring and hyperpigmentation over time. Compared to chemical peels or laser resurfacing, facial acupuncture does not artificially get rid of the superficial layer of the skin that can result in complications such as burning, prolonged redness and swelling, dryness, scabbing or infections.

What to do after a treatment?

1. Avoid applying makeup for at least 24 hours.
2. Avoid prolonged direct sun exposure for 72 hours.
3. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas for at least 72 hours.
4. Avoid facials, glycolic acid (such as alpha hydroxy acid), salicyclic acid, and retinol treatments for 1 week.
5. Avoid exfoliants, scrubs, or using powered cleansing brushes (like Clarisonic) for 1 week.
6. No tanning beds for a least 1 week.
7. Do use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water to wash your face. Gently pat your face dry.
8. Do wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.
9. Do drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated.

Who is facial acupuncture for?

This treatment is beneficial for anyone 21 years and older who is looking for natural treatment to prevent and minimize visible signs of aging, minimize acne and acne scaring, and maintain youthful, radiant skin.

It is not recommended for those who are concurrently getting microdermabrasion, chemical peels, laser resurfacing or have had cosmetic surgery less than four months prior.

It is also not recommended for those who have severe migraines or who are currently taking Accutane or oral isotretinoin.

Is this only for women?

NO! This is a great treatment anyone can do.

I hope this article has helped you decide if this type of acupuncture is for you. If you want to find out more about this treatment, you can book a free 15 minute call by clicking here.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32228036/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24919799/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30246914/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28403263/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28796657/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22256622/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23983778/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/botox/about/pac-20384658
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473