Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

What is Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer which starts in the lymph tissue, in white blood cells called lymphocytes.  The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system which fights infections and diseases; however, the lymphatic system also helps to regulate fluid movement through the body.

There are three types of white blood cells which make up the lymphatic system, called B cells (B lymphocytes), T cells (T lymphocytes) and natural killer cells.  B cells help fight viruses by making antibodies, T cells destroy pathogens and help the other immune system cells, while natural killer cells help control the growth of tumours and infections.  When these lymphocytes become cancerous it is called lymphoma.  

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is different from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, because of the presence of an atypical cell called the Reed-Sternberg cell which only occurs in Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  NHL is also more common than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Types of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma:

The different types of NHL are classified depending on how the lymphatic system cells look under a microscope.  According to the American Cancer Society, about 85% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas are B-cell lymphomas, less than 15% are T-cell lymphomas and less than 1% are natural killer cell lymphomas.  

B-cell lymphomas are mostly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma.  Other types of B-cell lymphomas include Burkitt’s lymphoma (small noncleaved cell lymphoma), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. 

The most common types of NHL in children and teenagers are anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, diffuse large cell lymphoma and lymphoblastic lymphoma, while the most common types in adults are diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Symptoms:

Symptoms of NHL may include chest pain or abdominal pain, itchy skin or rashes and lumps, coughing, difficulty breathing, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nights sweats and unexplained weight loss.  The B-symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma are fever, drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss, and help predict the severity of the disease.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

How Can Chinese Medicine Help?

In Chinese Medicine, the organs in the body are viewed as connected to each other and the whole body.  When one organ becomes weakened or diseased, this naturally affects the other organs and therefore causes symptoms.  Chinese Medicine can help treat many diseases including cancer by bringing the affected organs back into balance so that they can function properly again. For more information about how Chinese Medicine can help treat lymphatic cancers like NHL, click here.

Cancer treatments in Western Medicine often involve chemotherapy and radiation therapy which come along with side effects.  At Centre of Balance we can also help you deal with these side effects by reducing pain and inflammation, energising the immune system and soothing nausea and vomiting.  The techniques used in Chinese Medicine are effective and rarely have any side effects.

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Centre of Balance: Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (n.d.). Archive for category: Lymphatic Cancer (Lymphoma). https://balancetcm.co.nz/category/lymphatic-cancer-lymphoma/

Centre of Balance: Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (n.d.). Cancer Clinic. https://balancetcm.co.nz/cancer-clinic/

Normandin, B., Boskey, E., & Tabackman, L. (2021, November 22). Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/non-hodgkins-lymphoma

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Monica

I am originally from Hebei province in China. I hold a NZ bachelor’s degree of health and science with a major in acupuncture. I am honoured to be an acupuncturist at Centre of Balance. Helping patients to alleviate their pain brings me the greatest joy. Chinese medicine emphasises the unity of human beings and nature. During the treatment, I hope to not only relieve your pain but also help you to understand the principles behind acupuncture’s effectiveness, as well as the significant impact of diet, emotions, lifestyle habits, and living environments on disease recovery. Self-healing is an ability that our bodies are naturally endowed with.

I studied acupuncture in New Zealand and completed one and a half years of supervised clinical internship before graduating. In the early stage of my training, I mainly worked with patients experiencing neck, shoulder, and lower back pain. Under the guidance of senior clinical tutors, I gradually developed hands-on experience and confidence in treating musculoskeletal pain conditions.
As my clinical exposure expanded, I began treating a wider range of internal conditions. Alongside traditional acupuncture, I was introduced to Umbilical Acupuncture and Tungs-acupuncture Points. What interested me most about these approaches is that they often do not require needling directly at the painful area, yet can still achieve very effective results.
I was especially inspired by observing my supervisor use Umbilical Acupuncture to treat common conditions such as insomnia, menstrual irregularities, and even rheumatoid arthritis, with very positive outcomes. Another supervisor was highly skilled in Tungs-acupuncture Points and achieved excellent results in treating pain, infertility, menstrual disorders, and a variety of women’s health conditions. After completing my studies and entering clinical practice, once I observed Dr. Szenan Phua using Tungs-acupuncture points to help cancer patients relieve pain, which further strengthened my trust in this treatment method.
I later completed training in Dr. Tan Balance Acupuncture, which had a strong influence on the way I approach treatment. One of the most noticeable features of this method is how quickly patients often feel improvement, especially with pain conditions. Dr. Szenan Phua’s New Balance Acupuncture combines meridian regulation with structural adjustment and internal organ balancing, including techniques such as pulse balancing and spinal adjustment.
From my clinical experience, pain is rarely just a local issue. It often involves underlying organ weakness or structural imbalance. When these aspects are addressed together, treatment can be more thorough and longer-lasting. I also apply this approach to internal conditions, particularly in fertility and women’s health. This includes supporting natural conception, IVF preparation and embryo transfer, pregnancy support, early-pregnancy nausea, and late-pregnancy labour induction. I combine these treatments with concepts learned from a few additional fertility training, which has given me a broader and more flexible clinical perspective. This has reinforced my belief that acupuncture should be adapted to each individual rather than applied through fixed formulas.
Two other areas of study that have been very helpful in my clinical work are Tongue Diagnosis and Dr. Zhu’s Scalp Acupuncture. Although tongue diagnosis is taught in my standard Chinese medicine training, further study allowed me to deepen and refine my diagnostic skills.
My first formal training was in Li’s Tongue Diagnosis, which looks not only at organ patterns, but also at how different areas of the tongue reflect the body’s structure. This system also explores personality traits and changes during pregnancy, making it both clinically useful and engaging. I later attended online lectures on Yin’s Tongue Diagnosis and studied the related materials independently. this learning has helped me make clearer and more accurate pattern differentiation, allowing my acupuncture treatments to be more targeted. It covers a wide range of conditions, including skin disorders, oncology-related presentations, mental health patterns, and joint or limb problems. In practice, tongue observation often provides valuable insight even before a patient begins describing their symptoms.
In addition to the methods above, I regularly use local bloodletting techniques, which can be very effective for improving circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. I also incorporate auricular (ear) acupressure and stimulation, which I commonly use for allergies, insomnia, headaches, stress management, and various internal conditions.
In my clinical work, I value taking the time to listen carefully to each patient and to understand their overall health, lifestyle, and concerns. Based on each individual’s condition, I also provide personalised dietary guidance and lifestyle or wellness advice to support overall health and long-term wellbeing. I commonly support patients with musculoskeletal pain, such as neck, shoulder, knee, and back pain, as well as stress-related conditions, sleep issues, migraines, digestive concerns, and women’s health and fertility-related conditions.