Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) experts answer your queries in this fortnightly column. Remember, you should not self-medicate. Always consult a practitioner. Send your questions to stlife@sph.com.sg

Q. My dad has lung cancer, which has affected his spine. He is always in pain and is still undergoing chemotherapy. Can TCM help minimise his pain?

A. The symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath, coughing up blood, wheezing, chest pain, pain in the abdomen and weight loss.

Many symptoms of lung cancer such as bone pain and fever are non-specific, which means they may not be immediately recognised as symptoms of the disease.

In many patients, the cancer has already spread beyond the original site by the time they seek medical attention.

When metastasis - the spread of cancer cells - happens, it usually includes bone structures such as the spine.

This causes compression of the spinal cord and triggers back pain. Organs such as the liver and brain are also affected.

Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion can help to reduce your father's pain and the side effects of chemotherapy during his treatment, as well as improve his digestive system and the efficacy of the chemotherapy.

Moxibustion, in particular, can help to increase his white and red blood cell count, thereby improving his immune system.

Before a patient undergoes chemotherapy, he is required to take a blood test. If the cell counts are low, the treatment will have to be postponed until they return to normal.

Chinese herbs such as Rhizoma Corydalis (Yanhushuo), Peach Seed (Taoren) and Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong) are commonly prescribed for pain relief. Glossy Privet Fruit (Nuzhenzi), Indian Bread (Fuling) and Tatarian Aster Root (Ziwan) can help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

To prevent cancer cells from spreading, Epimedium Herb (Yinyanghuo) and Milkvetch Root (Huangqi) are prescribed.

Your father should have sufficient rest during treatment and avoid exercising too much.

Make sure that his room is well ventilated to avoid breeding germs. During chemotherapy, a patient's immune system tends to be weak and this makes him more prone to getting ill.

A diet which includes Chinese herbs such as lean meat porridge with white fungus is good for patients suffering from lung cancer as it increases the production of body fluids and strengthens the digestive and immune systems.

Information provided by Ms Lim Lay Beng, a TCM physician at YSHealthcare TCM Clinic in The Adelphi.

This story was first published in thesundaytimes on June 8, 2008.