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More Acupuncture Articles
Acupuncture and Cancer Care
In its 4,000 year history, acupuncture has been used to treat many illnesses and conditions. By inserting thin, stainless steel needles into points on the body, this therapeutic medical technique is able to influence the Qi (chee), or energy of the brain and body to influence biological changes and bring about healing and health.
One of the conditions that can be helped with acupuncture is cancer, with its related side effects, and cancer treatment side effects.
With cancer, can come pain. Acupuncture has been shown through many research studies to affect parts of the brain that trigger release of hormones to reduce pain in the body. So, acupuncture can be particularly helpful for cancer patients after surgery, or with cancer progression to reduce pain, and diminish the need for opioid type medications.
As cancer patients are going through chemotherapy and radiation, they may experience a number of related side effects. Common among those are nausea and vomiting, and poor appetite. Randomized clinical trials have shown acupuncture effective at minimizing nausea and vomiting, as well as helping patients maintain their appetite, and desire to eat.
Weight loss and fatigue are more cancer therapy side effects. Acupuncture is able to help guard against weight loss, and stimulate good energy reserves in the cancer patient. Current research points to acupuncture’s effectiveness at helping offset this chemotherapy related fatigue.
White blood cell counts can diminish with chemotherapy and radiation, showing a decrease in natural immune function. This is known as neutropenia. To help kill cancer cells, it is necessary to have a well functioning immune system.
Clinical research suggests acupuncture to be effective at increasing white blood cell counts, strengthening types of white blood cells called lymphocytes that include natural killer cells, to improve overall immune function.
Specific to radiation therapy, xerostomia, or dry mouth is a common side effect, which acupuncture is able to remedy. Research has shown positive results for acupuncture’s ability to regulate saliva production.
Overall, acupuncture can be helpful for cancer related pain following surgery, mitigating the many cancer treatment side effects to keep the immune system strong, and helping maintain good energy throughout.
