Acupuncture

Acupuncture has become widely used in cancer treatment and research hospitals across the country. This integral aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back over 2000 years and involves the manual stimulation of pre-established acupressure points that are theorized to be directly correlated to internal organs. Acupuncture points stimulation is a safe treatment that appears, in some patients, to be an effective adjuvant modality to make acute chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting less severe.

Acupuncture is based on the theory of moving Qi (Chi) along the Energy Meridians that flow through the body. It is believed that when these channels/points are blocked disease occurs. By relieving these blockages, Qi is able to flow and normal health can be restored. This modality can also be very relaxing due to its extremely subtle nature.

Acupuncture’s use in cancer patients has been recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for the treatment of cancer and treatment-related symptoms. Pain, nausea, breathlessness, vasomotor symptoms and limb edema have all been found to respond to this treatment modality.•

Acupuncture and Treatment

There are significant interventions available that should be a part of standard care based on available data. These include acupuncture for anticipatory nausea and vomiting related to combined chemotherapy and radiation (Johnstone, Polston, Niemtzow, & Martin, 2002; Lu, 2005), and psychoeducational care prior to and during therapy (Cartledge & Haaga, 2005; Kim, Roscoe, & Morrow, 2002).
A few pilot trials suggest that acupuncture might reduce hot flashes in post menopausal women with breast cancer.
Auricular acupuncture is common in treating a variety of pain conditions.
Acupuncture can improve postchemotherapy fatigue.

With the use of very thin needles, heat, pressure or electricity to encourage a therapeutic effect acupuncture has the ability to reduce the symptoms and side effects that accompany conventional cancer treatment. The National Institute of Health has conducted clinical trials and concluded that acupuncture has been effective in reducing pain and nausea.

A goal of acupuncture is to restore balance and healthy energy flow to the body to control pain and other symptoms. Used in combination with traditional cancer treatment options to help relieve symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment, acupuncture may help to alleviate treatment-related side effects.