Nearly one-third of women diagnosed with breast cancer decide to enhance their conventional medical treatment with some form of complementary care. This site explores an approach based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a holistic medical system that can help you regain your natural healing ability. First and foremost, remember this: As overwhelming as being diagnosed with breast cancer may be, do not be afraid. The vast majority of women who have had the disease have overcome it. You can, too. Worry and fear only drain your energy -- the same energy that your body needs to heal itself. From this moment on, make a commitment to stay positive. The statistics are on your side. Beginning the breast cancer-fight is like embarking on a journey. Like any journey, you'll want to start off calm and well rested. The emotional and physical state you are in when you start is what you will carry forward with you down this path. Although you may feel the need to immediately start researching your treatment options, consider taking a few days to rest and regroup first. Rather than running from specialist to specialist, give yourself some time. The calmer you are, the easier it will be to make the right decisions about your treatment. You'll be better able to hear what you need to hear and filter out what you don't. Similarly, the more peaceful and well rested you are, the more effective your treatments will be over the long term. The stronger your body is now, the stronger it will be throughout the treatment process. As when undergoing surgery, remaining calm and peaceful is an essential part of keeping your body strong to recover from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. There is also a simple visualization technique based on the ancient principle of yin and yang (two complementary yet opposing natural energies) to help rebalance the body after these treatments. As you undergo chemotherapy or radiation, imagine that you are under water and that the moon is shining above your head. Imagine that the cool, healing light of the moon is flowing through your entire body. Immediately after the treatment ends, imagine the sun is beaming healing energy deep into your body. Although undergoing surgery is a largely passive experience, you can use the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to help your body through the process. Because your body's energy fluctuates according to nature's cycles, the time at which you undergo surgery has particular importance in TCM. It's best to schedule your surgery for the time at which you were born. This is when your body's energy is at its peak each day. If you don't know exactly when you were born, then schedule treatments for the morning, when your energy is naturally rising. Other good times to undergo surgery are the day before and the day of a full moon. On the day of your surgery, do your best to remain peaceful and to keep your emotions as even as possible. This is, of course, easier said than done. However, the more calm and peaceful you are, the less energy you are expending, and the more energy your body will have to heal. Eliminate everything and everyone who does not support your peace and serenity at this point. As the surgery begins, take slow, deep breaths. Concentrate on your navel, and continue doing so as the anesthesia begins to take effect. Focusing your attention on this special point directs your Qi inward, helping you conserve it. After surgery, there will be many demands on your mental, emotional, and physical energies. If at all possible, take a few days to recover before beginning chemotherapy and radiation to give your body the chance to rebalance itself. Try to eat the recommended foods for breast-cancer prevention. Practice qigong at least twice a day. It is essential at this point to rest, rest, rest . . . and rest some more. You may be tempted to start working again, to "get back in the game." But give yourself as much time as you feel you need to rest. This can be a difficult choice to make in Western society. Rarely is resting seen as productive, yet nothing could be further from the truth, especially when it comes to healing the body. Simply resting is one of the easiest and best ways to preserve and build up your healing energy. Choosing a medical partner is one of the most crucial steps in the healing process. Whatever treatment path you follow -- be it conventional medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), or some other modality -- the approach to choosing a doctor should be the same: select a doctor with whom you feel some connection and who has a passion for caring for you as an individual. To successfully fight a disease, the doctor and patient must form a partnership. It is truly a team effort. The best doctor for you is not necessarily the most famous or busiest one, or even the one who treated your friend. Choose a doctor who understands you -- what your needs are and what you can handle. Your treatment must be tailored to you specifically, not a standard medical procedure. Because breast cancer is caused in part by emotional factors, it is important that you feel comfortable talking with your doctor about how you feel throughout the healing process. Most importantly, choose a doctor who will be supportive of the decisions you make about your treatment. Remember that your doctor is your partner; he or she should never be a source of stress or frustration. As confusing as the process may be, know that the right answer lies within you. Take your time, and above all, trust your intuition. Qigong. Simple exercises that restore the flow of energy in the breast area. Acupressure. Seven acupoints you can massage to strengthen your immune system. Foods. Dietary recommendations to help prevent breast cancer and support your body during chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Lifestyle. Tips for letting go of the negative emotions that can destroy your health.