By Tony Hicks
Bay City News Foundation
PLEASANTON, CA — Ray Hartjen never tried acupuncture until he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, in May 2019 — a difficult thing to digest even before treatment starts.
But then came the chemotherapy, steroids and immunotherapy, not to mention the resulting painful side effects. The Pleasanton resident suffered skin rashes, fatigue, insomnia, constipation and diarrhea, all of which can feel as bad as the cancer itself.
“I thought I would give both acupuncture and acupressure a try in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of my treatment,” he said. “Both of them seemed to provide a moderate amount of relief; I used to doze off during acupuncture and that was a welcome relief.”
“When I feel better, I am empowered to exercise and build my strength and flexibility,” Hartjen said. “That allows me the energy to go to my…
