Surgery, toxic chemicals and potent radiation can beat breast cancer, but they can wear a woman down. That's why patients at some of the nation's top medical centers are turning to experts in the ancient art of Chinese medicine...

Betsy Smith is getting acupuncture not for the side affects of chemotherapy but for relief from back pain, which could be one of the many problems breast cancer patients face.

Amy Sear is the president of the Florida Society of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. She practices at a breast cancer center in south Florida, but recently visited Orlando. Her hair-thin needles are where the east meets west in modern medicine.

"One of the side affects of acupuncture is that you feel wonderful," Amy said.

She begins with a long examination. Her ancient counterparts had no fancy instruments. They relied on a patient's tongue and pulse.

"They considered it the only way to look into the body," said Amy.

She'll insert the needles at specific points along Betsy's body to treat her specific problems.

"I'm going to add in some basic relaxing points that have to do with the mind. They call it quieting the mind," Amy tells Betsy as she inserts the needles.

In addition to relieving stress, helping with sleep, and giving the patient a sense of well being, researchers at Duke University discovered acupuncture can reduce nausea with fewer adverse side affects than a leading medication.

Doctors say patients seemed to have less pain and were more satisfied with their recovery. .. Important factors in determining how quickly they can return home after surgery.

"One of the things I respect about this treatment is the time she gave to me to listen to my concerns," said Betsy.

"I'm there to soften their situation, anxiety, calmness and to take the edge off their symptoms," Amy said.

Many breast cancer patients have to take the drug tomoxifen to help prevent their cancer from coming back. But that can throw a women into instant menopause with hot flashes can be so annoying some women stop taking the drug. Because acupuncture can relieve those symptoms, it may help women stay on the drug longer and that can save lives.

Remember acupuncture is done along with regular oncology treatments. Not instead of them.

To find a qualified acupuncturist click here to go to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. )