Integrative Cancer Support

Author: Dr Danny T. Siegenthaler
Chinese Medicine Practitioner – MSc. (TCM), BSc. (Hons.), DTCM; DAc (Aust/China)

Compassionate, Evidence-Informed Support Throughout Your Cancer Journey

Integrative Cancer Support (also known as integrative oncology) is an evidence-based model of care that combines conventional medical treatments (like chemotherapy and surgery) with complementary medicine (such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, mindfulness/meditation, nutrition, and exercise). The goal is to treat the whole person, managing side effects, improving quality of life and helping you to live well during cancer treatment.

A cancer diagnosis can change every aspect of life. From the uncertainty of diagnosis and the challenges of treatment to the ongoing process of recovery, each stage presents its own physical, emotional and practical concerns.

At Kurrajong Natural Medicine Centre, we provide integrative cancer support, including acupuncture for cancer care, dietary advice, etc., designed to complement your conventional medical care, not replace it. Our approach combines Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, naturopathy, Western herbal medicine and lifestyle medicine with a strong commitment to working collaboratively alongside your oncology team. We also help you with preparing for cancer treatment using a wholistic approach.

Whether you are preparing for treatment, managing treatment-related side-effects, recovering after therapy or adapting to life as a cancer survivor, our goal is to support your overall health, wellbeing and quality of life through personalised, compassionate care.

This section of our website has been developed to help you understand the services we offer, and guide you to the information most relevant to your individual circumstances.

Integrative Cancer Support: A Philosophy of Whole-Person Care

Cancer affects much more than the disease itself. It can influence physical health, emotional wellbeing, family relationships, work, nutrition, sleep and confidence about the future.

Our philosophy is to care for the whole person. We recognise that every individual’s experience is unique, which is why our recommendations are tailored to your diagnosis, treatment stage, medical history and personal goals.

We believe the best outcomes are achieved when complementary healthcare is integrated thoughtfully with conventional oncology.

Support During Cancer Treatment

Many people seek complementary care while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy or other conventional treatments. Supportive Cancer Care focuses on helping people manage the physical and emotional challenges that may arise during this time. That is why preparing for cancer treatment ahead of treatment is very important, whilst working together with your oncology team.

If you would like to understand what supportive cancer care involves, how it complements oncology treatment and how it may fit into your overall care plan, our dedicated page provides a detailed overview.

Recovery After Cancer Treatment

Completing treatment is an important milestone, but recovery often continues well beyond the final appointment. Many people experience ongoing fatigue, reduced stamina, digestive changes, sleep disturbances, emotional adjustment or concerns about returning to everyday life.

Our Cancer Recovery Support page focuses specifically on this stage of the journey, explaining how adopting an integrative cancer support approach can help support long-term recovery, rehabilitation and wellbeing following cancer treatment.

Acupuncture in Cancer Support

Part of our integrative cancer support is the use of Acupuncture. It is one of the most researched complementary treatments used alongside conventional cancer care. When provided by appropriately qualified and registered practitioners, it can assist in managing some treatment-related symptoms, such as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and improving quality of life.

Our Acupuncture for Cancer Care page explains the evidence, safety considerations and the role acupuncture may play as part of an integrated approach to supportive cancer care and recovery.

Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine

A well-designed integrative cancer support plan includes good nutrition, appropriate supplementation and carefully selected herbal medicines. These have an important role in supporting health throughout cancer treatment and recovery. Any recommendations should always be individualised and carefully considered alongside your medical treatment to ensure safety and minimise the risk of interactions.

Our dedicated page explains how Naturopathy and Western herbal medicine can be integrated responsibly into a broader supportive care plan.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Another valuable inclusion in integrative cancer support is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which provides a holistic framework that considers the interconnected nature of physical health, emotional wellbeing, lifestyle and recovery. Rather than focusing solely on disease, TCM aims to support the individual as a whole.

Our TCM page explores the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, how they are integrated with modern healthcare and the role they may play within supportive cancer care.

Our Story

One of the greatest privileges of our work is walking alongside people during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Another aspect of our integrative cancer support strategy is our own experience with cancer, which profoundly changed us, not only personally, but professionally. It strengthened our appreciation of the courage required at every stage of the journey and reinforced our commitment to providing compassionate, realistic and evidence-informed care that complements conventional medicine.

While every cancer experience is different, we hope that sharing our own journey provides reassurance that you will be supported by practitioners who understand both the clinical aspects of cancer care and many of the personal challenges that accompany it.

Finding the Right Information

Every person’s needs are different. Whether you are looking for information about supportive care during treatment, recovering after cancer therapy, acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy or simply learning more about our philosophy and experience, we encourage you to explore the pages below.

Before Cancer Treatment
• Preparing for Cancer Treatment

During Cancer Treatment
• Supportive Cancer Care
• Living Well During Cancer Treatment

Managing Treatment Related Symptoms
Acupuncture for Cancer Care
• Acupuncture for Cancer Care
• Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
• Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
• Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Insomnia
• Acupuncture for Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue
• Acupuncture for Anxiety During Cancer Treatment
• Acupuncture for Cancer Pain

After Cancer Treatment
• Cancer Recovery Support
• Cancer Survivorship

Our Approach
• Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Care
• Acupuncture for Cancer Care
• Naturopathy & Western Herbal Medicine in Cancer Support

Our Experience
• Our Cancer Journey

If you have questions about your individual circumstances, we are always happy to discuss whether our services may be appropriate as part of your broader healthcare team. Simply call: 0492 814 971

Your Integrative Cancer Support Team

Dr Danny Siegenthaler Chinese Medicine Practitioner – MSc. (TCM), BSc. (Hons.), DTCM; DAc (Aust/China)
Chinese Medicine Board of Australia Registration (AHPRA) Number: CMR0001712202
Member of ATMS No. 23926

For more than 4 decades, Danny has dedicated himself to the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He has taught biology at several Universities. Alongside his wife Susan, who is a highly skilled medical herbalist, naturopath and aromatherapist, they are the proud owners of and senior practitioners at Kurrajong Natural Medicine Centre.

Susan L. Siegenthaler Naturopath & Medical Herbalist – BSc Hons; Dip.Med.Herb; Dip Rem. Mass; Dip Med.Arom

Member of ATMS No. 0120

For more than 4 decades, Susan has dedicated herself to practicing herbal medicine and Naturopathy. She has taught biology at several Universities as well as Remedial Massage and Medical Aromatherapy at several TAFE colleges as well as in her own accredited college. Together with her husband, Danny, they are the proud owners of and senior practitioners at Kurrajong Natural Medicine Centre.

Written and reviewed by Dr Danny T. Siegenthaler, Chinese Medicine Practitioner – MSc. (TCM), BSc. (Hons.), DTCM; DAc (Aust/China)
AHPRA Registration Number: CMR0001712202; Member of ATMS No. 23926