05/11/2026
New blog post from Paolo Propato, LAc: "Nutritional Support During Cancer Care: A Chinese Medicine Perspective." Excerpt below, and for the full post head to bridgeacupuncture.com/blog (link in bio and story. )
Many patients are referred to us directly by their oncology team. In these cases, our role is clear: to support the patient through the side effects of cancer treatment, including helping with neuropathy, fatigue, low immunity, insomnia, and digestive disruption, while strengthening the body overall. In fact, at Bridge we have a partnership with Penn Medicine-Doylestown where a special endowment is used to fund acupuncture treatments for cancer patients.
In Chinese medicine, we do not treat a diagnosis in isolation; we identify and treat patterns within the body. Once a pattern is understood, we apply targeted therapies including acupuncture, herbal support, Qi Gong, moxibustion, cupping, gua sha and Tui Na (manual bodywork). However, nutrition plays a central role in this process.
At the foundation of our approach is the relationship between yin and yang. Yang reflects the body’s functional activity, while yin represents its physical substance. During chemotherapy and radiation, it is common to see a depletion of yin, manifesting as weight loss, dryness, reduced appetite, and an overall loss of vitality. Without sufficient yin, the body lacks the material foundation required for repair. For this reason, our nutritional focus often begins with rebuilding. Foods that are deeply nourishing, moistening, and restorative are prioritized, particularly slow-cooked, moisture rich broths such as bone broth, which are valued for their ability to replenish fluids, support tissues, and provide nutrition that can be easily assimilated.
Read more: bridgeacupuncture.com/blog, link in bio and story.
