Non-invasive methods for prevention, detection, treatment, and healing of neoplastic processes in humans

Abstract

The invention is a method consisting of stimulation of specific new acupuncture points to prevent, detect, treat and heal specific types of neoplastic process in humans. The specific acupuncture points used in the method of the invention have not been previously disclosed for the treatment of neoplastic processes. The treatments can be carried out by accredited practitioners in a clinical setting or by the patient her/himself at home. The stimulation can be provided by any of the known techniques used for stimulation of controlling points, including, but not limited to, traditional acupuncture needles, auto-injector needles, electric acupuncture, acupressure, lasers, acupuncture lasers, UV radiation, infra-red radiation, heat, magnets, moxibustion, and a combination of two or more of these techniques, for example, the use of both needles and laser acupuncture simultaneously in a single treatment session. The method of the invention is also used for detection and prevention of neoplastic process.

Claims

1. A method for treating, by stimulation of specific acupoints, neoplastic processes that have previously been diagnosed in an organ in human patients who are or are not currently undergoing other treatment, said method comprising the steps of: a) generating a therapy protocol wherein the specific acupoints to be stimulated that are relevant for treatment of neoplastic processes occurring in specific organs are the acupoints A1 to A13 and B1 to B9 on the feet and hands of said patients; b) treating said patient in a series of treatment sessions comprised of stimulation of said specific acupoints, which are located on his/her hands and feet, wherein said stimulation can be provided by at least one of any stimulation means used to apply acupuncture therapy; c) applying known methods to evaluate the effect of the treatment on the neoplastic process; and d) adjusting said therapy protocol according to said evaluation of the progress; wherein the specific acupoints associated with the following organs are: i) bladderA2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B7=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; ii) breastA3=6/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; iii) cervixB3=between the distal and the proximal on the lateral side of the proximal digital bone of the 4th digit; iv) kidneyA1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B6=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; v) large intestineA12=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B8=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; vi) liverB1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; vii) lungsB5=6/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; viii) ovaryA10=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; ix) pancreasA5=9/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; x) prostataA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A11=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; xi) rectumA13=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B9=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; xii) small intestineA8=8/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; xiii) stomachA4=8/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; xiv) testisB2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; xv) thyroidA7=4/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; and xvi) uterusA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A9=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; wherein, said locations are expressed as the lengths of the bones, which are divided into twenty parts starting from the distal end and each of said acupoints is located within the indicated 20th part of said bone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: i) in step (a) said patient consults instructional material available to her/him and decides which of the specific acupoints should be stimulated and prepares a therapy protocol accordingly, without the assistance of her/his attending medical specialist or an accredited acupuncture practitioner; ii) in step (b) the treatment sessions are carried out by the patient or a family member or another layperson; iii) in step (d) the patient her/himself adjusts the treatment protocol with or without the help of her/his attending medical specialist or an accredited acupuncture practitioner.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one stimulation means is selected from the group including, but not limited to: traditional acupuncture needles, auto-injector needles, electric acupuncture apparatus, acupressure devices, lasers, UV radiation sources, infra-red radiation sources, heat sources, magnets, fire, and a combination of at least two of these means.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment sessions are initially carried out once a week for at least 3 months.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each treatment, session comprises one of the following: using low-level laser radiation alone for 8-10 minutes for each relevant acupoint; using acupuncture needles alone for 20 minutes per acupoint; and using a combined treatment with acupuncture needles and low-level laser radiation comprised of using said acupuncture needles alone for 12 minutes followed by use of said low-level laser and said acupuncture needles together for 8 minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the corresponding points on both hands or on both feet are stimulated either simultaneously or consecutively.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein treatment sessions are carried out periodically for the remainder of the patient's life.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment session is carried out with the aid of at least one of: a) personalized gloves that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; b) personalized socks that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; and c) an apparatus that is adapted to position and to support the stimulation means above the specific acupoint that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process at the correct location and angle.

9. A method for the diagnosis of the probability of the presence of or probability of development of neoplastic processes in a human patient, the diagnostic method comprising: a) carrying out a diagnostic session comprised of successively stimulating at least one of the acupoints A1 to A13 and B1 to B9; b) receiving feedback from said patient related to the strength of any sensation said patient feels when each of said acupoints is stimulated; and c) determining said probability based on said feedback received from said patient, wherein the higher the intensity of the sensation felt by said patient on stimulation of each of said acupoints the higher the probability of development of a neoplastic process in the organ associated with said acupoint; wherein the specific acupoints associated with the following organs are: i) bladderA2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B7=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; ii) breastA3=6/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; iii) cervixB3=between the distal and the proximal on the lateral side of the proximal digital bone of the 4th digit; iv) kidneyA1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B6=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; v) large intestineA12=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B8=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; vi) liverB1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; vii) lungsB5=6/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; viii) ovaryA10=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; ix) pancreasA5=9/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; x) prostataA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A11=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; xi) rectumA13=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B9=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; xii) small intestineA8=8/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; xiii) stomachA4=8/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; xiv) testisB2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; xv) thyroidA7=4/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; and xvi) uterusA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A9=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; wherein, said locations are expressed as the lengths of the bones, which are divided into twenty parts starting from the distal end and each of said acupoints is located within the indicated 20th part of said bone.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the diagnostic session comprises one of the following: using low-level laser radiation alone for 8-10 minutes for each relevant acupoint; using acupuncture needles alone for 20 minutes per acupoint; and using a combined treatment with acupuncture needles and low-level laser radiation comprised of using said acupuncture needles alone for 12 minutes followed by use of said low-level laser and said acupuncture needles together for 8 minutes.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the diagnostic sessions are carried out once every three months.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the diagnostic treatment session is carried out with the aid of at least one of: a) personalized gloves that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; b) personalized socks that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; and c) an apparatus that is adapted to position and to support a stimulation means above the specific acupoint that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process at the correct location and angle.

13. A method for preventing the development of a neoplastic process in an organ of a person before the disease has been detected by known diagnostic methods, including a person having a family history or genetic makeup that increases his/her risk of contracting said neoplastic process, said preventive method comprising periodically carrying out a preventive treatment session comprised of stimulation of the specific acupuncture points selected from the acupoints A1 to A13 and B1 to B9 that are relative to said specific type of neoplastic process; wherein the specific acupoints associated with the following organs are: i) bladderA2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B7=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; ii) breastA3=6/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; iii) cervixB3=between the distal and the proximal on the lateral side of the proximal digital bone of the 4th digit; iv) kidneyA1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metatarsal and B6=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; v) large intestineA12=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B8=12/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; vi) liverB1=10/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; vii) lungsB5=6/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; viii) ovaryA10=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; ix) pancreasA5=9/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; x) prostataA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A11=11/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; xi) rectumA13=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B9=14/20 on the medial side of 5th metacarpal; xii) small intestineA8=8/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; xiii) stomachA4=8/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal; xiv) testisB2=11/20 on the medial side of 1st metacarpal; xv) thyroidA7=4/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal; and xvi) uterusA6=10/20 on the lateral side of 1st metatarsal and A9=10/20 on the medial side of 5th metatarsal and B4=11/20 on the lateral side of 4th metacarpal; wherein, said locations are expressed as the lengths of the bones, which are divided into twenty parts starting from the distal end and each of said acupoints is located within the indicated 20th part of said bone.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each preventive treatment session comprises one of the following: using low-level laser radiation alone for 8-10 minutes for each relevant acupoint; using acupuncture needles alone for 20 minutes per acupoint; and using a combined treatment with acupuncture needles and low-level laser radiation comprised of using said acupuncture needles alone for 12 minutes followed by use of said low-level laser and said acupuncture needles together for 8 minutes.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the preventive treatment sessions are carried out once every three months.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the preventive treatment session is carried out with the aid of at least one of: a) personalized gloves that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; b) personalized socks that comprise holes directly over the specific acupoints that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process; and c) an apparatus that is adapted to position and to support a stimulation means above the specific acupoint that should be stimulated for the specific type of neoplastic process at the correct location and angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively show the locations of the new acupuncture points of the invention on the bones of a right human foot and a right human hand;

(2) FIG. 3 schematically shows a glove adapted for use in the method of the invention; and

(3) FIG. 4 to FIG. 6B schematically show an apparatus adapted to allow an inexperienced person to administer acupuncture treatment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(4) The invention is a method consisting of stimulation of specific acupuncture points to prevent, detect, and treat specific types of neoplastic processes that occur in humans. Herein the term neoplastic process refers to the formation and growth of an abnormal growth of tissue in humans. The abnormal growth can be benign or malignant and is herein sometimes referred to as a cancer or a tumor. In many cases treatment according to the methods of the invention may lead to complete healing of the cancer.

(5) The specific acupuncture points used in the method of the invention have not been previously disclosed as effective for the treatment of cancer. The treatments can be carried out by accredited practitioners in a clinical setting or by the patient her/himself or a layperson at home. When the treatments are carried out by the patient her/himself or a layperson at home, they can be guided by instructions from an accredited practitioner or by instructional material, e.g. instruction manuals, video recordings, and applications on mobile devices. The stimulation can be provided by any of the known techniques used for stimulation of controlling points, including traditional acupuncture needles, electric acupuncture, acupressure, laser, acupuncture laser, UV radiation, infra-red radiation, heat, fire, magnets, moxibustion, and a combination of two or more of these techniques, for example, the use of both needles and laser acupuncture simultaneously in a single treatment session or two lasers aimed at the same acupoint from different angles. In addition to the use of conventional acupuncture needles the inventors also envisage that an acupuncture needle supplied as an auto-injector similar to those used to inject insulin would be a very useful aid to many patients for self-treatments. Herein the generic term stimulation techniques refers to all of these techniques, but not limited to them, collectively. Herein the generic term stimulation means collectively refers to the devices or means, e.g. conventional needles, auto-injector needles, electric acupuncture apparatus, acupressure devices, lasers, UV radiation sources, infra-red radiation sources, heat sources, magnets, fire, and a combination of at least two of these means used to apply the stimulation techniques.

(6) Equipment that can be useful in carrying out the method of the invention includes a laser device specifically designed for applying laser radiation to acupuncture points and apparatus including articles of clothing and an apparatus adapted to serve as guides to accurately locate the acupuncture points and apply the treatment.

(7) The present invention differs from the earlier work described in the above referenced book authored by the first inventor in three ways: firstly new acupoints have been discovered for treatment of various types of cancer and secondly, in addition to acupuncture needles, other types of stimulation devices or combination of some of them are used to stimulate the acupoints and new acupuncture protocols have been developed. Thirdly, the method of the invention is adapted to be used for preventing, and/or detecting cancerneither of which has been done using acupuncture techniques previously.

(8) The first inventor has identified acupuncture points that are effective for stimulating the body for treatment of 16 different types of cancer in humans. The use of these acupuncture points in the treatment of cancer has never been reported before.

(9) The types of cancer that can be treated using the new acupuncture points are: kidney, bladder, breast, stomach, pancreas, prostate, uterus, thyroid, small intestine, large intestine, ovary, rectal-anus, liver, testis, cervix, and lung.

(10) FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively show the locations of the acupuncture points of the invention on the bones of a right human foot and a right human hand. In each of these figures a small black square represents the location of the acupoint and a number next to the square identifies the type of cancer that is treated by the respective acupuncture point. The acupoints numbered 1-13 in FIG. 1 will also be referred to herein as A1 to A13 respectively and the acupoints numbered 1-9 in FIG. 2 will also be referred to herein as B1 to B9 respectively.

(11) All of the points are located close to the bones, as shown in the drawings. To indicate the locations of the points on the bones, the bone is divided into 20 parts, starting from the distal end (closest to the end of the finger or toe), and ending at the proximal end. The point is located then within a 1/20-part of the length of the bone, as listed in the following tables, wherein Table 1, relates to FIG. 1 and Table 2 to FIG. 2 and the first column in each table contains the numbers that identify the acupoints in the respective figure.

(12) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Human Foot (FIG. 1) NUMBER ORGAN BONE LOCATION 1 = A1 Kidney Medial side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 10/20 2 = A2 Bladder Medial side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 11/20 3 = A3 Breast Lateral side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 6/20 4 = A4 Stomach Lateral side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 8/20 5 = A5 Pancreas Lateral side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 9/20 6 = A6 Prostata & Lateral side of 1.sup.st metatarsal 10/20 Uterus 7 = A7 Thyroid Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 4/20 8 = A8 Small Intestine Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 8/20 9 = A9 Uterus Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 10/20 10 = A10 Ovary Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 10/20 11 = A11 Prostate Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 11/20 12 = A12 Large Intestine Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 12/20 13 = A13 Rectum & Medial side of 5.sup.th metatarsal 14/20 Anus

(13) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Human Hand (FIG. 2) NUMBER ORGAN BONE LOCATION 1 = B1 Liver Medial side of 1.sup.st metacarpal 10/20 2 = B2 Testis Medial side of 1.sup.st metacarpal 11/20 3 = B3 Cervix Lateral side of the proximal between the digital bone of the 4.sup.th digit distal 2/3 and the proximal 1/3 4 = B4 Prostata Lateral side of 4.sup.th metacarpal 11/20 & Uterus 5 = B5 Lungs Medial side of 5.sup.th metacarpal 6/20 6 = B6 Kidney Medial side of 5.sup.th metacarpal 10/20 7 = B7 Bladder Medial side of 5.sup.th metacarpal 11/20 8 = B8 Large Medial side of 5.sup.th metacarpal 12/20 Intestine 9 = B9 Rectum & Medial side of 5.sup.th metacarpal 14/20 Anus

(14) All of the acupoints shown in the figures and listed in Tables 1 and 2 have corresponding points on both hands or on both feet. For example, cancer of the liver in humans can be treated by stimulating acupoint 1 at the midpoint (10/20) of the medial side of the 1st metacarpal bone on the right hand as shown in FIG. 1 and an acupoint at the midpoint (10/20) on the medial side of the 1.sup.st metacarpal bone on the left hand. In addition self-healing of some types of cancers, e.g. kidney, will be stimulated by stimulating acupoints on both the hand and the foot. In all of these cases the recommended treatment protocol calls for stimulating all of the points on both the left and the right sides, either simultaneously or consecutively.

(15) According to the present invention, in addition to the use of needles, the accupoints can be stimulated by any known stimulation techniques. In particular the present invention proposes the use of low-level laser (also known as soft laser) radiation or a combination of needles and low-level laser radiation as will be described herein below.

(16) Most devices used in laser acupuncture produce an output beam having a small footprint on the skin (typically a round footprint with a diameter of approximately 1 mm and an area of approximately 0.8 mm.sup.2). One of the reasons that acupuncture treatments can only be administered by registered practitioners is the long learning curve need to learn how to locate the acupoints and accurately insert the needle. With needles the success of the treatment depends on accuracy of placement of the needles and the angle at which the needle is inserted, which in some cases is not perpendicular to the skin surface. With narrow output beam lasers similar conditions must be satisfied for successful treatment.

(17) The inventors have conceived of the idea of using a laser apparatus that produces a long and narrow beam of laser light, which can be aligned with the bone and centered approximately at the location of the acupoint in order to overcome the problems associated with the level of exactness required when using needles or small diameter laser beams and to make it possible for non-professionals, including the patient her/himself, to administer the treatment following a recommended protocol. The laser device produces a fully coherent output beam (having an energy density that is uniform in magnitude over the entire rectangular, elliptical, or circular footprint, which in a non-limiting, illustrative embodiment can be approximately 450 mm.sup.2. Using a laser device that produces an output beam having a large footprint on the skin that is powerful enough to stimulate the acupoint means that the center of the laser beam does not have to be located exactly over the acupoint.

(18) The apparatus for producing the laser beam is similar to a commercially available apparatus that is manufactured and sold by the applicant of the present invention under the name B-CURE laser. This apparatus was designed and is being used to apply laser light for a wide variety of therapeutic purposes. The B-CURE laser is a light weight hand-held device that can be used by both health care professionals and non-professionals, including patients in their homes. The apparatus is described in patent applications that have been filed and published in several countries, e.g. US2011/0032960.

(19) In order to see if the use of a large footprint laser beam as proposed in this invention could effectively produce similar results to those achieved using acupuncture needles a pilot investigation was carried out by the first inventor. The procedure consisted of stimulation of an area situated between Os metatarsale II and III in dogs having mammary cancer or mammary tumors. The stimulation of the area mentioned was done with direct and close laser radiation by a 250 mW B-CURE laser held against the area for 4 minutes, once a month for a total of 4 times.

(20) The following table presents a summary of the results of treating mammary cancer in twenty dogs with a B-cure laser. The cases described represent a consecutive case series of treatment of dogs with mammary cancer. They were not selected to show, the best outcomes. The development of the tumors was followed up for several months.

(21) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Summary of the Results of Treating Mammary Cancer with a B- Cure Laser soft Laser device Cancer type/description of tumour/malignancy and indication of Patient/year of Results malignant (M) or birth/Number of (positive effect (P), uncertain # benign (B) treatments (?) or no effect (N)) 1 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, English The tumors went almost totally away 10 & 8 mm. tumors in setter/2009/3 after 8 weeks, then reappeared 4 weeks both sides/(M) later, and reached the size of ca 2-3 mm, and are now stable after 4 months. No other treatment (P) 2 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, Mastiff/ The tumor did totally disappear after 6 65 mm. tumor left 2008/3 weeks, and only a small lump of side/(M) connective tissue of 3 mm remains. No other treatment (P) 3 Mammacarcinoma/6 Female Dog, mixed The tumors were totally gone after 11 tumors right side, breed/2006/3 weeks. No other treatment (P) differing between 3 and 11 mm/(M) 4 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, The tumor shrank to 15 mm after 4 45 mm tumor left side/ Riesenschnauser/ months. No other treatment (P) (M) 2004/4 5 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, mixed The tumor was reduced by 60% after 4 94 mm tumor right breed/2009/3 months. No other treatment. (P) side/(M) 6 1 Mammary tumour: Female dog, English The tumor is at the same size as when diameter 1.1 cm/(B) setter/2007/3 the treatment started 4 months ago. No other treatment. (?) 7 2 Mammary tumours: Female dog, English The tumors are reduced by 15% after 4 diameter 14 mm and setter/2007/4 months. No other treatment. (P?) 11 mm right side/(B) 8 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, The tumors continued to grow, but at a 10 & 23 mm. tumors Riesenschnauser/ reduced rate. After 4 months the same in both sides/(M) 2005/3 results. No other treatment. (N) 9 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, Golden The tumor is reduced with 80% after 3.5 85 mm. tumor right retriever/2008/4 months. No other treatment. (P) side/(M) 10 1 Mammary tumour: Female dog, Mixed The tumor was reduced to 3 mm after diameter 16 mm/(B) breed/2009/ 3.5 months. No other treatment. (P) 11 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, Buhund The tumor almost went totally away 28 mm. tumors left Norwegian/2006/3 after 4 weeks, then reappeared 2 weeks side/(M) later, and reached the size of ca 2-3 mm, and is now stable after 3 months. No other treatment (P) 12 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, The tumor totally disappeared after 6 55 mm. tumor left Richback/2005/3 weeks, and only a small lump of side/malign (M) connective tissue of 3 mm remains. No other treatment (P) 13 Mammacarcinoma/4 Female Dog, mixed The tumors were totally gone after 10 tumors left side, 13, breed/2006/3 weeks. No other treatment (P) 18, 20 and 25 mm/ (M) 14 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, Grand The tumor has shrank to 15 mm after 3 45 mm tumor left side/ Danois/2004/3 months. No other treatment (P) (M) 15 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, mixed The tumor was reduced to 34 mm after 114 mm tumor left breed/2009/3 the 3 months. No other treatment. (P) side/(M) 16 1 Mammary tumour: Female dog, The tumor has grown to 35 mm in 3 diameter 30 mm right Pekingnese/2005/3 months and 3 treatments. No other side/(B) treatment. (?) 17 3 Mammary tumours: Female dog, English The tumors were reduced by 25% after 3 diameter 14 mm and setter/2008/3 months. No other treatment. (P?) 21 mm and 34 mm, right side/(B) 18 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, The tumors continued to grow for 2 30 & 43 mm. tumors Riesenschnauser/ months, but the last month there has in both sides/(M) 2006/3 been no growth. No other treatment. (N) 19 Mammacarcinoma/ Female dog, Golden The tumor is completely gone after 3 70 mm. tumor right retriever/2007/3 months. No other treatment. (P) side/(M) 20 1 Mammary tumour: Female dog, Mixed The tumor is reduced to 5 mm after 3 diameter 15 mm/(B) breed/2009/3 months. No other treatment. (P)

(22) The results here are similar to those that the first inventor has observed on >600 human and animal cancer patients in his own clinic using acupuncture needles to provide the stimulation to induce the self-healing. The overall results shown in table 3 are very promising. Of the 14 dogs with Mammacarsinoma there were 12 Positive results. Of the 6 dogs with Mammary Tumours there were 4 Positive results. In total 16 of the 20 dogs responded positively to the treatment. The positive effects were observed after 4 treatments over a total period of 4 months. These results provide a strong indication that stimulation of the specific acupoints using a large footprint laser beam will be effective also in the case of human cancers.

(23) As mentioned above, one of the reasons that acupuncture treatments are carried out only by licensed practitioners is the level of experience necessary to accurately locate the acupuncture point and to insert the needle or align the laser beam. The inventors propose to overcome these problems by providing the following aids at least one of which can be employed by the user to assist him/her to accurately locate and stimulate the required acupoints: A stimulation source in the form of a hand held device that illuminates a rectangular, elliptical, or round area of the skin of the patient with light. An embodiment of the light emitting stimulation source is a laser device that emits infrared radiation and comprises a second light source that emits a visible light that overlaps or outlines the invisible beam emitted by the infrared laser diode; Personalized gloves (for acupoints on the hand) and socks (for acupoints on the foot), that comprise holes directly over the acupoints corresponding to the points that should be stimulated for the specific type of cancer. An apparatus that is adapted to position and to support the stimulation means, e.g. laser device or needle, above the acupoint at the correct location and angle. A video camera can be used to observe the relevant body part and produce images that, when used in conjunction with a processor and appropriate software and optionally with input from an experienced practitioner, can be displayed to the user to enable him/her to locate the desired acupoint and to insert the needle or aim the laser beam to that spot. In embodiments of the invention the user and the licensed acupuncturist or doctor are at separate locations. Both possess devices, e.g. smartphones, tablets, or computers, comprising dedicated software and connected to a communication network, e.g. the internet or a cellular network, which allows them to share images taken by the video camera and other information and to communicate with each other. In these embodiments the practitioner can be actively involved in the home treatment session, for example by marking the location of the acupoint/s to be treated on the screen image of the patient.

(24) FIG. 3 schematically shows a glove adapted for use in the method of the invention. The glove is provided in a number of sizes and in left and right hand versions to insure a correct fit to the hand of the patient.

(25) Unpersonalized gloves can be produced in a number of models, each with pre-cut holes at the known location of the acupoints for treatment of one or more types of disease or conditions. Embodiments of the unpersonalized gloves will be made available with the size, and the name of the disease/s the holes represent printed on them.

(26) The glove shown in FIG. 3, or at least part of it, can be made from transparent material, to assist in locating the acupoint. Socks can be adapted mutatis mutandis for use in applying the therapy in a manner similar to the glove.

(27) Alternatively, the attending physician or accredited acupuncture practitioner that recommends and supervises the treatment can personalize the glove or sock by creating holes at the location of the acupoints that are appropriate for the specific symptoms of his patient. In order to individualize the glove or sock such that the placement of the holes conforms to the exact anatomical structure and dimensions of the patient, in embodiments of the gloves and socks at least a part of the glove or sock is manufactured from transparent material. In the first session with the practitioner, the patient puts on the glove or sock having the closest fit to her/his body and the practitioner locates the appropriate acupoint/s on the patient's body, marks the location/s on the glove or sock, and makes holes of the required size. In one embodiment the practitioner, guided by FIGS. 1 and 2, locates the acupoints and marks them on the skin before the patient puts on the article of clothing. The marks on the skin can then be seen through the transparent material and transferred to the article of clothing to mark the locations at which the holes should be created.

(28) These holes in the glove or sock will allow the patient to apply the stimulation treatment by him/herself, whether using traditional acupuncture needles, auto-injector needles, a prior art narrow beam laser device, the wide beam laser device described herein above, a combination of needles and the wide beam laser device simultaneously, or any other stimulation means.

(29) Embodiments of the gloves and socks comprise ridges around the holes or have a framework attached to them over the holes. The ridges or framework are adapted to help to hold the device used to apply the stimulation in a fixed position and orientation over the acupoint.

(30) FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6A, and FIG. 6B schematically show an apparatus adapted to allow an inexperienced person to administer acupuncture treatment. The apparatus is designed to position the stimulation device at the correct location over the acupoint and at the correct angle and to support the device during the treatment period. FIG. 4 shows the apparatus adapted for use with a hand. FIG. 5 shows the apparatus adapted for use with a foot. The main features of apparatus 100 are identified in FIG. 4. Other components of apparatus 100 are described in more detail with respect to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B.

(31) The framework of apparatus 100 that supports all other components is comprised of a base plate 1 to which is rigidly attached a rigid bridge 21. Between the base plate 1 and bridge 21 is located a platform 10. Platform 10 is mounted in such a way that it has two linear degrees of freedomback and forth and right and left motion in directions parallel to two perpendicular sides of base plate 1 (indicated by arrows 17 and arrows 18) and one rotational degree of freedomclockwise and counterclockwise (indicated by arrows 19) around an axis perpendicular to base plate 1 that passes through the center of platform 10. In the center of the bridge is at least one opening through which the laser device 12 is placed so that it can irradiate the surface of platform 10. A framework 13 which supports laser device 12 is attached to the bridge at the edge of the opening by means of a hinge adapted to allow laser device 12 to be tilted (indicated by arrows 20) relative to the surface of bridge 21. The tilt of the laser device gives the apparatus a fourth degree of freedom, which is important because some of the acupoints are located on the side of a bone and have to be stimulated at an angle to the perpendicular to achieve a positive result from the treatment. The organ 15 being treated is placed on the platform 10, which is moved until the location of the acupoint to be treated is under the center of the laser device 12. Platform 10 is now fixed in the correct position and at the correct orientation by locking its tilt angle and linear and rotational movements and the treatment can be started. In embodiments of the invention the locking mechanisms for the translational, rotational, and tilt motions comprise a series of marks that identifies the position at which each of the respective mechanisms is locked. After the initial location of the point at which the therapy should be applied is determined by the practitioner, the values of these marks are recorded and form a part of the treatment protocol for the patient, enabling the correct location for applying the therapy to be easily found in subsequent sessions.

(32) Referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B other components of apparatus 100 are: X-direction rail 2, two parallel rails 2 are attached on opposite sides of base plate 1; X-direction carriage 3, one of which rides on each of rails 2; X-direction carriage lock 4, which, when locked, prevents movement of carriage 3 along rail 2; Y-direction rail 5, two parallel rails 5 are attached at their ends to the two carriages 3; Y-direction carriage 6, one of which rides on both of rails 5; Y-direction carriage lock 7, which, when locked, prevents movement of carriage 6 along rails 5; Z-axis pivot 8, which is attached to carriage 6 and supports platform 10; Z-axis lock 9, which, when locked, prevents rotation of platform 10; Locating pins 11, used to position the organ 15 to be treated, e.g. hand, on platform 10 and to maintain that position during the alignment and treatment procedures; Framework 13 of laser device 12; Hinge 14 that connects framework 13 to bridge 21 of apparatus 100 (not shown in the figures is a lock to prevent tilt of laser device 12); and Windows 16 or openings in the top of bridge 21 that allow observation of the treatment area on the organ 15 being treated.

(33) In the figures the apparatus 100 is adapted for use with a wide beam laser device but apparatus 100 can be modified mutatis mutandis for use with any of the stimulation means that is used to apply acupuncture treatment, e.g. conventional acupuncture needles or other types of laser devices.

(34) Because apparatus 100 supports the stimulation and healing device during treatment, it is especially useful in a clinical environment where the use of several of these apparatuses will allow a single practitioner to simultaneously treat several acupoints on the same patient, e.g. the corresponding point on the right and left hand, or to treat several patients simultaneously. The use of more than one apparatus will eliminate the advantage that the use of needles has over lasers in treatment protocols that require stimulation of several acupoints on the same patient to be treated at once.

(35) In embodiments of the invention a glove (or sock) similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is used in conjunction with apparatus 100 in order to more easily locate the desired acupoint.

(36) An embodiment of the method of the invention for treatment of a patient known to have a cancer affecting one of the organs listed herein above is carried out as follows: The patient visits his attending physician, oncologist, or accredited acupuncture practitioner who identifies the acupoints to be stimulated and prepares a therapy protocol. If the patient is taking medication for treatment of the disease, she/he is encouraged to continue with this during the course of the treatment according to the method of the invention. Initially the treatment sessions will be carried out once a week for at least 3 months. The duration of each treatment session depends on the type of stimulation that will be applied to the acupoints. Each treatment session with the laser apparatus will last for 8-10 minutes for each relevant acupoint. Treatment sessions using acupuncture needles will last 20 minutes per acupoint. For treatment sessions using a combination of needles and laser light, the needles only will be used for the first 12 minutes followed by stimulation with both the laser and the needles for 8 minutes. The treatment sessions can be carried out by health care professionals in a hospital, clinic, or home environment; however, because of the relatively low cost and ease of operation of the laser apparatus, it is envisaged by the inventors that most of the sessions using the laser apparatus will be carried out by the patient or a family member or layperson in a non-clinical setting, e.g. the patient's home. Other scenarios are possible, e.g. one session per month carried out by an acupuncture practitioner followed by three home sessions with the laser apparatus or all self-treatments without the assistance of a professional. Where, and by whom, the stimulation will be administered will be determined on an individual basis taking into account factors such as the patient's ability to come to the clinic when required, the ability of the patient to carry out the sessions according to the schedule, and financial considerations. The patient periodically visits his attending physician or oncologist who uses known methods to evaluate the effect of the treatment on the tumour. According to the progress the physician, oncologist, care giver, or accredited acupuncture practitioner adjusts the treatment protocol, e.g. the type of stimulation to be applied and duration and frequency of treatment sessions. This cycle is repeated as long as necessary until the treatment is deemed successful. As a general rule it is anticipated that in most cases positive results will be seen in three months, therefore it is recommended anyway not to stop the treatment before the end of the third month. After successful treatment it is recommended to continue with the treatment at a clinic or at home for a much longer period of time, for example once every month for the first year, and once every two months for life.

(37) During acupuncture treatment sessions using either needles or laser devices some human patients report feeling sensations, which are usually described as a very moderate uneasiness and slight pain in the affected organ, and are interpreted to mean that something is happening in the relevant organ. Also the specific acupoint which refers to a specific kind of cancer is more sensitive to any form of stimulating means, including, but not limited to, a needle, a soft laser beam, or to a physical pressure. Having these sensations does not mean that the treatment will work better, but it is a good sign, which helps the patient to gain confidence in the treatment. In cases where good results are achieved, the patients feel the sensations with increasing lower intensity as the sessions progress and simultaneously the acupoints may become less sensitive. Observing these phenomena has led the inventors to the conclusion that stimulating the acupoints one at a time in any of the ways described above and receiving feedback from the patient can be used for early diagnosis of cancer in the organ associated with the specific acupoint. The diagnosis can then be confirmed or dismissed by other tests, e.g. mammography.

(38) The acupoints taught by this invention can be used for self-diagnosis by any person but in particular by individuals at high risk of contracting a specific type of cancer. These persons should use any of the devices and methods taught herein to stimulate the acupoint relevant to the specific type of cancer once every three months. If they feel sensations in the organ in which the disease is located or at the acupoint then there is reason to believe that the cancer might be present and they should go immediately to be checked by a doctor. The absence of sensations does not mean that the disease is not present; however sensations at the stimulated acupoint that goes beyond those felt by at other stimulated acupoints or sensations in the organ that might be diseased after the diagnostic treatment certainly attest to the probability of developing the diseasetherefore the importance of going to a doctor to be tested.

(39) Furthermore, because using the laser acupuncture is easy to do at home, it is recommended that any person who wishes to do so and specifically individuals at high risk of contracting a specific type of cancer, as determined by family history or their genetic makeup, follow a protocol of laser radiation of the specific acupoint/s of this invention that is associated with that type of cancer as a preventive treatment. An example of a protocol of a preventive treatment is a session, as described herein above, once every three months.

(40) It is noted that although the gloves, socks, and apparatus described herein above are useful aids to help both experienced professional practitioners and inexperienced persons to locate and stimulate the acupoints, their use is not a requirement of the method. The acupoints can also be stimulated by use of a hand-held wide-beam laser device or by the use of needles in the conventional way for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer.

(41) Although embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications, and adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims.