Is acupuncture beneficial during or after cancer treatment? How can it help?
Acupuncture uses thin needles, pressure, and other techniques of traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of both symptoms and disease. It is important to use a licensed acupuncturist who adheres to practice guidelines. Johns Hopkins Medicine’s website advises that the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture provides a list of doctors licensed to practice acupuncture. Likewise, it is recommended to review the appropriateness of using acupuncture on an individual basis with one’s medical provider.
There are multiple studies that suggest the use of acupuncture is beneficial for cancer patients undergoing active treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, or endocrine therapy. Acupuncture can help alleviate nausea, vomiting, anxiety, peripheral neuropathy, pain, and fatigue. The National Cancer Institute’s CAM for Patients website reviews multiple clinical trials that prove the effectiveness of acupuncture for these listed symptoms and others.
During ongoing maintenance treatment or after active treatment, acupuncture can continue to play a helpful role. Johns Hopkins Medicine website lists multiple conditions that benefit from acupuncture. Some of these conditions are; anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, infertility, migraine headaches, and allergic rhinitis. An example population that may benefit from acupuncture is persons with breast cancer who experience hot flashes as a result of anti-estrogen therapy. The Journal of Clinical Oncology published results of, “Acupuncture As an Integrative Approach for the Treatment of Hot Flashes in Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (AcCliMaT),” in May 2016 that proved the concept of acupuncture plus self-care measures reduced hot flashes in patients more than self-care alone. This trial showed overall quality of life improvement in this patient population with the use of acupuncture.
Treating treatment related toxicities and symptoms with acupuncture has also been studied for years. In September of 2021, the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management published, “Acupuncture for Quality of Life in Gastric Cancer Patients Undergoing Adjuvant Chemotherapy.” This study showed persons with gastric cancer on chemotherapy who received acupuncture had reduced chemotherapy related toxicities like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It showed overall improvement in quality of life.
For cancer-related or treatment-related symptoms, acupuncture has shown its benefit over the years. A reputable acupuncturist can provide an individualized treatment plan to target specific needs. Prior to beginning acupuncture, a person with cancer should talk with their oncologist before they proceed.
Barbara Dean 