Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice that has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health conditions. In recent years, it has gained popularity as an alternative therapy for cancer patients. While it is not used as a cure for cancer, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, to help manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the role of acupuncture in cancer care and explore its potential benefits for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Research studies also suggest acupuncture may be helpful in managing cancer-related pain, chemotherapy-related neutropenia, cancer fatigue, and radiation-induced xerostomia [1]. Acupuncture can enhance general quality of life by reducing the side effects of cancer treatments [3]. However, research on acupuncture's efficacy and safety in preventing and treating cancer-related symptoms is limited, with only a few conditions such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting having been demonstrated to be effectively treated with acupuncture in clinical trials [1].
The Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies was established at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to provide complementary therapies to cancer patients [1]. Traditional Chinese Medicine currently serves as the main theoretical framework guiding acupuncture practice in the US [1]. In the past twenty years, there has been an increase in acupuncture research, especially in the field of oncology, with more randomized controlled trials being conducted [1]. The mechanism of action of acupuncture is still being studied but appears to be primarily due to stimulation of anatomical locations [1].
Overall, acupuncture can be used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments to manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life for cancer patients. As research in this field expands, more benefits of acupuncture in cancer care may be discovered [2].
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