"Integrative Oncology" How Mind-Body, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Can Help You Heal

From massage to meditation, integrative medicine — which uses evidence-based, complementary practices in combination with conventional medicine — can help cancer patients and survivors regain health and build a lifestyle focused on wellness.

Types of integrative medicine found to be beneficial for cancer survivors include:

• acupuncture
• massage therapy
• meditation and relaxation techniques
• music therapy
• stress management
• yoga 
• Qigong 
• art therapy

City of Hope offers several treatments to help cancer survivors regain their health. For more information about our classes and group offerings, please visit our Patient Programs page, call us at 626-218-2273 or see our Support Services Calendar.

Yoga

Yoga is a mind and body exercise that incorporates physical poses, stretching, breathing and relaxation techniques to improve health and well-being. Studies show yoga can reduce anxiety, depression, stress and fatigue in cancer survivors, while improving sleep and overall quality of life.

Resources at City of Hope 
Join City of Hope’s Gentle Yoga or Chair and Mat Yoga classes. Gentle Yoga is open to patients receiving treatment at all City of Hope locations and their caregivers.  These virtual and in-person classes is designed to help improve range of motion, flexibility, strength and bone health, all while building resilience and connection between the mind and body. Instructor can tailor exercises to your needs, whether it be chair yoga or exercising on the mat. No previous experience required.

Learn more: Therapeutic Yoga for Cancer Survivors and People with Cancer

Acupuncture

Acupuncture uses small needles, heat, pressure or electricity to alleviate a variety of physical, mental or emotional conditions.  

Research shows this treatment can help cancer survivors with different side effects including anxiety, stress, depression, mood disorders, fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, bladder issues and hot flashes.

If you’re interested, talk with your City of Hope doctor or nurse practitioner.

Community Resources for Acupuncture Treatment

Please note that City of Hope does not endorse any of the following clinics. Please contact clinics directly for scheduling and billing purposes.

Los Angeles

Private clinics are operated by independent providers in private or group practices. Treatment settings are generally in a private room. Generally, accept most insurance but at a higher cost.

Center For Acupuncture & Chinese Herbs
924 Buena Vista St Ste 201
Duarte, CA 91010
Sharon Deng at (626) 256-3341
Kevin Pao at (626) 214-8098
Some Insurance

Health Advantage Health & Wellness Center
Larry Hsiao
1450 N Lake Ave
Pasadena, CA 91104 
(626) 798-7805
Medicare & Medicaid

Dr. Rufus Fuller
244 Redondo Ave
Long Beach, CA
(562) 450-77230
Sotasintegrativemed.com

Blissful Wellness Acupuncture & Chiropractic
James Chang
8002 Haven Ave. 
Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91730
(909) 276-7168
blissful-wellness.com

Community clinics generally treat patients in a shared space where you will be likely sitting in a recliner. Generally, do not accept any insurance but at a lower cost.

Eagle Rock Community Acupuncture Clinic
Valerie Brown
2042 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 255-2700
Ercaclinic.com

Orange County

Private clinics are operated by independent providers in private or group practices. Treatment settings are generally in a private room. Generally, accept most insurance but at a higher cost.

Lee Acupuncture
Dr. Nam Lee
425 Old Newport Blvd, Suite E
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 723-0054
leeacupuncture.com
Accepts most insurance
House Calls

South Coast True Health
Dr. Jennifer Wetzel
4121 Westerly Pl #113
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 287-3408
southcoasttruehealth.com

Dragon Acupuncture
Dr. Huaifang Zhao
18 Endeavor, Ste 301
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 727-0898

Dr. Min Shi
250 East Yale Loop, Ste D
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 668-5003
dragonacu.com 

Community clinics generally treat patients in a shared space where you will be likely sitting in a recliner. Generally, do not accept any insurance but at a lower cost.

Glowing Turtle Acupuncture
Erma Braza, L.Ac
13296 Euclid St.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
(714) 872-2911
glowingturtle.com
$30 to $60

Universities have teaching clinics in which a supervisor may see a patient with a group of students, or the senior students may be practicing independently or within a small group under the supervision of a supervisor. May or may not accept insurance with a wide cost range that is lower than a community clinic and par with private clinics.

South Baylo University
1126 N. Brookhurst St.
Anaheim, CA 92801
(714) 535-3886
southbaylo.edu
$20 Age 55+ & $30

Southern California University Health Sciences
16200 Amber Valley Dr.
Whittier, CA 90604
(562) 943-7125
Scuhs.edu

Meditation

Meditation refers to a variety of techniques that incorporate focusing attention and regulating breathing to increase inner calmness, relaxation and mindfulness.  

Studies show that meditation can help to improve overall quality of life for cancer survivors and has been found to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and mood disorders.

Join City of Hope's Guided Meditation for Patients, Caregivers and the Community teaches simple meditation and breathing techniques to relieve stress and anxiety, enhance health and wellbeing, and promote a good night’s sleep. No previous experience is required; patients and caregivers are welcome.

City of Hope Breathing and Meditation Videos on YouTube.

Massage Therapy

How Can Oncology Message Help Me?

Oncology massage is an approach to massage therapy based in both compassion and specialized massage treatments that are modified specifically for patients with cancer.  Oncology massage is a specific type of massage utilized to treat numerous symptoms caused by, but not limited to, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The therapy is light, slow, and steady movements. Growing research evidence has shown benefits of massage therapy in the management of pain and symptoms often associated with cancer.

What symptoms can Oncology Massage help with?

• constipation
• pain
• anxiety
• depression
• insomnia
• fatigue
• mood 

Where Can I Find Message Therapy Services?

Los Angeles

The following list provides Los Angeles County massage therapy resources for your research and convenience. City of Hope does not endorse any of the providers; please contact the providers directly to schedule appointments and to address billing or other questions.

Private Studios: treatment settings are generally in a private room. Massage therapy is an out-of-pocket expense.  

Alicia Hamner       
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 689-8399
[email protected]
Mobile Practitioner: will travel to your home. 
Massage therapy is an out-of-pocket expense.

Christine Knapp                                                                                   
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 522-3131
[email protected]
christineknapp.massagetherapy.com                    

Pamela Brodowski
(714) 920-1057
[email protected]

Orange County

The following list provides Orange County massage therapy resources for your research and convenience. City of Hope does not endorse any of the providers; please contact the providers directly to schedule appointments and to address billing or other questions.

Private Studios: treatment settings are generally in a private room. Massage therapy is an out-of-pocket expense. 

Lina Ruiz
Lina Ruiz Massage
302 North Tustin Avenue, Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 914-9808
linaruizmassage.com

Lisa Hand
Laguna Nigel- home studio
(949) 422-3314
lisahandtherapy.com
*does home visits as well
Mobile Practitioner: will travel to your home.  Massage therapy is an out-of-pocket expense.

Jaimi Wolotsky
OC Massage & Healing Therapies
(949) 295-8185
www.ocmht.com

Pamela Brodowski
[email protected]
(714) 920-1057 

Inland Empire and Riverside County

Mobile Practitioner: will travel to your home.  Massage therapy is an out-of-pocket expense.
Adrianna Showalter
The Pink Ribbon Place
(951) 314-9246 

Department of Supportive Care Medicine