Can an Ancient healing system practiced for thousands of years be useful in the modern cancer care setting? Acupuncture is a popular complementary therapy recognized by the National Cancer Institute.
Understanding treatments and their side effects cancer has demonstrated benefit to cancer patients in the following areas:
Pain Management associated to tumors, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and inflammation. Patients who receive acupuncture may be able to use lower doses of pain medication.
Immune System Modulation: many cancers and many cancer treatments cause a suppression of the bone marrow, the source of blood cells that are the army of the immune system. Acupuncture increases blood cell production and enhances Natural Killer Cells and Lymphocytes which leads to increased immune response and decrease risk of infection.
Inflammation: increased inflammation is a part of the physiology of cancer. Many of the treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery also cause painful inflammation. Acupuncture reduces the pain and swelling related to inflammation.
Nausea and Vomiting: Acupuncture has been shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
Dry, Painful Mouth and Throat: radiation to the head and neck reduce the production of saliva and lead to pain and swelling in the mouth and throat making difficult to swallow. These patients often lose their sense of taste as well. Acupuncture has been show to decrease these side effects allowing the patient to be able to swallow, eat and drink normally, protect the health of the teeth and gums and reduce the incidence of infections, pain and swelling in the mouth and throat during radiation therapy.
Sleep: cancer patients suffer sleep disruption and insomnia due to post-surgical discomfort, anxiety and depression and physical pain. Acupuncture can alleviate these symptoms and allow the patients to get the deep sleep and rest required for recovery and healing.
Hot Flashes: Many women undergoing hormonal treatment for breast cancer experience hot flashes that disrupt sleep and daily living activities. Acupuncture has been shown to decrease the frequency and intensity of hot flashes for breast cancer patients.Men with prostate cancer also experience hot flashes during hormonal treatment and would benefit from acupuncture.
Quality of life: your symptoms will be considered, also your lifestyle, emotional state, supporting normal digestive function and reducing stress. “You are taking back the control of your own life.”