Cancer patients & Palliative Care' Study
Day
This study day was held at the National Hospital
for Neurology, Queen's Square, London. The lecturer was Dr
Jacqueline Filshie, Anaesethetist at the Royal Marsden Hospital, &
author of the 'Medical Acupuncture' textbook, & many
research papers.
This was a well-thought out study day. The venue
was spacious, comfortable & catering was included. Study packs
were supplied in part on the day & subsequently topped up by post
with lecture notes. Coffee & lunch breaks allowed useful &
stimulating discussions with co-attendees.
Dr Jacquie Filshie is an entertaining &
vivacious speaker. A quick overview of current oncology was
covered, with a summary of acupuncture principles.
The day then went on to cover treatment of pain &
non-pain symptoms; in cancer survivors & those with advanced
disease. Post breast surgery, post radio- & chemotherapy problems
including scar/radiotherapy burn pain, & peripheral neuropathy
were discussed. Treatment of other pain; & non-pain symptoms;
such as nausea & vomiting, xerostomia, dyspnoea, hot flushes,
bladder, bowel & vascular problems were also covered.
Jacquie demonstrated technique on 3 patients, one
of whom was a classic 'strong reactor' which she used in order to
show that his fainting/'deep sleeping' for 10 mins (after needles
were inserted & then removed) was safe; & for him provided
strong lasting pain relief. Local, distal & segmental spinal
points were used.
It was refreshing to attend an acupuncture
training day specifically geared at our group of patients; who often
have very complex needs, are already on a gamut of pharmacological
weaponry, and frequently have extensive disease.
I found this study day particularly useful and
encouraging - there was an ambience of it being ok to 'think
outside the box'; - indeed even a necessity with this group of
patients, which I had found missing in the some of the more
'outpatient' biased AACP previous courses I have attended. I will
look forward to attending more BMAS events.
Sue Eddy, Specialist Physiotherapist in
Palliative Care,
Florence Nightingale Hospice, Aylesbury
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