Acupuncture Can Help Cancer
Acupuncture has been practiced in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years and is often used to promote healing from conditions like low back pain, migraine, sciatica, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, as well as to help people striving to quit smoking or conceive. Although scientists have yet to determine how acupuncture works, it’s suggested that the therapy may help…
- Trigger the release of pain-relieving brain chemicals
- Influence the autonomic nervous system
- Stimulate circulation.
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Acupuncture and Cancer
While acupuncture can’t treat cancer itself, the therapy may help patients overcome cancer-related pain and fatigue (as well as certain side effects of standard cancer treatments). Here’s a look at how acupuncture might benefit people coping with cancer:
Relief of Cancer Pain
In a study, researchers found that undergoing acupuncture helped reduce the intensity of cancer pain among 90 patients for whom the pain-reducing medication was not sufficient.
Easing Post-Chemotherapy Fatigue
Acupuncture shows great potential in the management of post-chemotherapy fatigue, according to a study of 47 patients. After receiving six 20-minute acupuncture sessions over the course of two weeks, study participants experienced significant improvement in general fatigue, physical fatigue, activity, and motivation. Study results also indicated that participants performing acupressure on their own had improvement in fatigue as well.
Treating Chemotherapy-Related Nausea and Vomiting
In a recent report, researchers reviewed 11 clinical trials and found that acupuncture reduced post-chemotherapy vomiting. The review also found that acupressure helped lessen the severity of post-chemotherapy nausea.
Reducing Radiation Side Effects
In a pilot study, acupuncture was found to be effective for radiation-induced xerostomia (dry mouth). Previous research suggests that acupuncture may also help relieve radiation-induced insomnia and anxiety.
Safety Precautions for Acupuncture
Although acupuncture is generally considered safe, it may cause dizziness, local internal bleeding, dermatitis, nerve damage, and/or increased pain (especially when the acupuncturist is not well-trained). If you’re considering acupuncture for relief of cancer-related health problems, talk to your doctor about finding a practitioner with experience working with cancer patients.
