Oncology Acupuncture

At TAP, we specialize in Oncology Acupuncture Support, an approach designed to maintain a patient's quality of life while they undergo aggressive medical treatments, by supporting the nervous system, reducing inflammation, and strengthening your body's natural capacity to heal.

Effective, drug free, and natural solutions

Personalized treatment plan for immediate & long term relief

Restore your body's natural balance

Navigating Recovery

Maria’s Integrative Approach to Breast Cancer Care

Maria trusted her oncology team implicitly. When she received her breast cancer diagnosis, she was ready to fight, and she knew that surgery and chemotherapy were necessary steps to save her life. However, she also knew the road ahead would be physically taxing, and she wasn’t willing to simply “endure” the side effects if there was a way to mitigate them.

“I viewed my chemotherapy and radiation as the fire department putting out the fire,” Maria explains. “But I needed a team that was dedicated to reinforcing the structure of the house while that was happening. I didn’t want to just survive the treatment; I wanted to protect my vitality and my long-term health. I wanted to be an active participant in my own recovery.”

Maria wasn’t looking to replace her medical treatment—she was looking to support it. After reading clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture for oncology patients, she identified Traditional Acupuncture Plus (TAP) as the ideal partner to join her care squad.

We Work Together

Maria arrived at her initial consultation with her treatment schedule in hand. We didn’t offer an alternative to her oncologist’s plan; we built a support strategy around it. We focused on preparing her body for surgery, and later, on managing specific side effects like nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy (nerve pain) caused by chemotherapy.

“It felt like a true safety net,” Maria notes. “We timed my acupuncture sessions around my chemo infusions. The difference was night and day compared to what I had read in support groups. My energy rebounded faster, my digestion stayed on track, and I managed to avoid the worst of the nerve pain. Integrating TAP into my care plan didn’t just help me physically; it gave me a sense of control during a time when I felt very vulnerable.”

The Science of Synergy

At TAP, we specialize in Oncology Acupuncture Support, an approach designed to maintain a patient’s quality of life while they undergo aggressive medical treatments.

Jackie Lacava L.OM, Owner of TAP, is clear about the clinic’s role:

“Patients like Maria aren’t choosing between Eastern and Western medicine; they are using one to help them successfully complete the other. We do not treat the cancer itself. Our role is to soothe the nervous system and reduce inflammation so the body can tolerate the medical treatments better. We focus on keeping the ‘terrain’ healthy so the patient can heal.”

Maria’s story is a testament to the power of integrative medicine. She completed her treatment protocols with resilience and is now focused on long-term wellness. She is one of many women who have found that the best path to recovery involves a team that covers all the bases.

“Seeing patients navigate the hardest challenge of their lives with strength and grace is the most honoring part of what we do,” says Jackie. “We provide the support, and they do the healing.”

Support Your Recovery Strategy

If you are navigating a cancer diagnosis or recovery, you don’t have to do it alone. You deserve a team that works collaboratively with your oncologists to support your whole-body health.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Let’s create a support plan that works for you.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Traditional Acupuncture Plus (TAP) provides supportive care for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Acupuncture is not a treatment for cancer, nor is it a cure for malignancy. Our treatments are intended to be used as an adjunct therapy to help manage side effects (such as nausea, pain, fatigue, and neuropathy) and improve quality of life. We strictly recommend all patients follow the advice and treatment protocols of their primary oncology team.

Jacqueline Lacava

L.OM. Dipl.OM. MSACN

My healthcare journey began in pharmacy school, where I realized that while conventional medicine is vital, there was a profound need for evidence-based supportive treatments. This led me to the Northeast College of Health Professions, where I earned my MSAOM (Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine) and MSACN (Applied Clinical Nutrition). My education included a transformative study abroad program in China, observing Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medicine working side-by-side in a hospital setting.

A Legacy of Care in Phoenixville

In 2014, I moved to the Phoenixville area and was honored to take over the practice of Dr. Kalpana Patankar MD, continuing her legacy of dedicated patient care. Since then, I have been providing the community with grounded, scientifically informed East Asian medicine.

Academic Leadership

Alongside my private practice, I have spent over a decade at the Won Institute of Graduate Studies. Having served as Dispensary Manager,  Chinese Herbal Program Director and Assistant Professor—including a professional clinical trip to South Korea during my tenure—I currently support their mission as Registrar and Bursar.

Your Partner in Vitality

By combining a foundation in pharmaceutical science with mastery in Nutrition and Acupuncture, I offer a unique, 360-degree view of your health. My goal is to ensure you feel heard and supported by treatments that are as scientifically informed as they are holistically minded.

“True health isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s the presence of vitality. Whether in the classroom or the clinic, my mission is to provide the tools and knowledge necessary for long-term wellness.” 

Why our treatment is so popular

More Powerful than you think

Absolutely. Your body is capable of healing ANY problem, especially when it has the nutritional support and specialized natural therapies we offer to help it get back on track. We’ve seen this firsthand in clinic over and over.

Feel better immediately

People often feel a positive shift after the very first treatment. Acupuncture is a very powerful way to stimulate endorphin release, which is the most powerful relaxing substance the body makes.

We treat you, not your diagnosis.

Results vary, of course, but over 75% of our patients report improvement in symptoms after just a few sessions and many are able to reduce their medication use (under supervision by the prescribing physician) as their bodies begin to function at a higher level. However, your situation is unique and once we meet with you we will be able to give you our best estimate of time and prognosis of outcome.

Painless Procedures

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, and they cause no pain because they are razor sharp.

Results that stick

The vast majority of patients don’t need long-term maintenance. Once their condition is resolved, it stays that way. Our goal is to get you to the point where you don't need us!

Minimal disruption to your schedule

Most of our patients are able to get great results with once-weekly visits. We can discuss this in more detail at your free consultation.

No horrible, super-restrictive detox or elimination diets!

Our program is all about setting you up to succeed. We find the 2 or 3 “key leverage points” in your diet and work on those. No impossible to follow meal plans or detoxes here. We're not crazy!

Studies Have Shown That Acupuncture Can Help With:

An Unparalleled Track Record of Excellence

Our mission is simple:
Supporting your body to transform your health, using your body's own resources.
Rated 5 out of 5

Location & Contact

Location: We are tucked away in Suite 78 of Valley Forge Commons East. The easiest way to find us is to follow the main perimeter road and turn into the parking lot labeled ’69-82′ with a small red sign. Then look for a green sign for our office located on the side of building 78. If you have any trouble finding us, please call or text and we will guide you in!

*All services by appointment only. 

M, Th, F 8:30am - 2:00pm
Saturday - Sunday Closed
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