Sunday "Free" InNNER THrive! Wellness Center for Breast Cancer Recovery
The Flatiron Acupuncture and Herbal Health Center is part of a non-profit charity group and hosts a weekly free center for breast cancer survivors. In partnership with The You Can Thrive! Foundation, we have been providing this valuable service for the community since April of 2007. Our focus is people diagnosed and under financial strain -- although any survivor is welcome to attend and pay on a sliding scale basis.If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of your financial situation, please contact us for free information.
Call 212.254.9534 or 917.538.9636 today.Steven Gordon L.Ac., Dipl. Ac. &, and Luana Halpern, Director of YouCanThrive!, along with many other health professionals are donating their time to found this valuable resource, which also functions as a support and educational forum. This resource is the first of its kind in the New York Metro Area. Check back soon for testimonials from our patients.
Traditional Chinese Medicine & Cancer
What is the theory behind the claim that acupuncture is useful in treating cancer? Acupuncture may cause physical responses in nerves cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture affects blood pressure and body temperature, boosts immune system activity, and causes the body's natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to be released. Acupuncture may also lead to improvements in quality of life and alleviation of conventional treatment-related side effects among breast cancer patients.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine treat the full range of human disease conditions. Although we commonly treat to prevent the causes of dis"ease" which is created by blocked qi. Blocked qi causes pain, illness, or other health problems. TCM uses acupuncture, diet, herbal therapy, and other therapies to restore health by unblocking qi and correcting the balance of yin and yang within the person.
According to TCM, qi can be unblocked by using acupuncture at certain places on the skin, called acupoints. Acupoints are places where the meridians come to the surface of the body. There are more than 2,000 acupoints on the human body, with specific acupoints for each condition being treated. In addition to his varied specilized training, Steven Gordon has received certification at Slaone Kettering Hospital in NYC for acupuncture specific to the condition of cancer.
More About The Cause of Breast Cancer
Acupuncture has long been used in the East to help strengthen the immune system and immune functioning. Recent studies find that the majority of breast cancer patients also use some form of non-traditional therapy in addition to these established ones. Commonly used complimentary therapies found to be used by cancer patients include acupuncture, vitamin and nutritional supplements, herbs, meditation, massage and visualization techniques. Research also indicates that about 80% of breast cancer survivors experience financial duress with many of them being completly financially devastated by co-pays for treatment. We strive to make this proven effective treatment available to those in our community that may not be able to afford it.
If you'd like to get involved please contact You Can Thrive! Foundation to see what you can do. Funds are greatly needed.
Some Research: Acupuncture for Malignant Tumor
By Wu B; Zhou RX; Zhou MS. [Effect of acupuncture on interleukin-2 level and NK cell immunoactivity of peripheral blood of malignant tumor patients] Chung-Kuo Chung Hsi i Chieh Ho Tsa Chih, 1994 Sep, 14(9):537-9. Language: Chinese. (uI: 95170260) Pub type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial.
Abstract: This paper deals with the observation of acupuncture therapy affecting interleukin-2(IL-2 level and natural killer (NK) cell immunoactivity in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant tumors. In this clinical-laboratory test research, randomized double blind method was used. The patients were divided into an acupuncture treated group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 20). The former group was treated using points, ST36, LI11, RN6 and locations of symptomatic points bilaterally. They received one treatment of 30 minutes daily for 10 days. The results showed that the IL-2 level and NK cell activity were lower than normal in patients with malignant tumor, but there was an increase in the acupuncture group after 10 days of treatment. Significance was found to be remarkable (P < 0.01). The difference between the two groups was also significant (P < 0.01). This increase might be related to the mechanism of acupuncture of adjusting the body's immune function. Thus, acupuncture therapy could enhance the cellular immune function of patients with malignant tumors and providing a beneficial effect in anti-cancer treatment.
Our methods of exam and treatment are non-invasive, safe and cost-effective. There is no vaginal exam, stirrups or removal of clothing. And Chinese Herbal Medicine is free of side effects when prescribed by a board certified Chinese Herbalist.