As cancer patients seek holistic ways to manage symptoms and improve well-being, acupuncture has gained attention as a safe, complementary approach that can bring relief to the healing journey. Practiced in traditional Chinese medicine for the last 2500 years, it has been studied in the United States since the 1990s for treating cancer and therapy related symptoms. Studies have found it can provide relief in managing pain, nausea and vomiting as well as offering some relief from fatigue, dry mouth, hot flashes and other symptoms associated with cancer treatments.

 

What is Acupuncture? 

Understanding how acupuncture works and how it can support cancer recovery can empower survivors to make informed decisions about integrating this ancient practice into their healing process.
 
Acupuncture typically involves inserting tiny needles (slightly thicker than a human hair) into specific points around the body, based on the condition being treated. The needles may be electrically charged, manipulated by hand, or heated. It is believed that the acupuncture stimulates the body to release neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin, which relieve pain and may also increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
 

How Does Acupuncture Help Cancer Patients and Survivors?

• Nausea and vomiting:  Clinical trials show that acupuncture can effectively reduce nausea and vomiting caused by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and can be safely used with other anti-nausea medications.

• Pain: Acupuncture has been shown to be as effective as, or better than, standard treatments for pain relief in cancer patients, especially when combined with pain medication. As its use is studied more, acupuncture may help reduce opioid use in cancer care.  

• Peripheral Neuropathy: Small studies indicate that acupuncture may alleviate symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, such as tingling, numbness, sensory loss, burning sensation, or weakness in the hands and feet.

• Fatigue: Studies suggest acupuncture can improve fatigue, a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation, when compared to standard care alone.

• Dry Mouth: Dry mouth caused by radiation therapy is common in people with head and neck cancers. Acupuncture has been found to reduce dry mouth symptoms and improve saliva flow.  

• Hot Flashes: Research in breast cancer patients shows that acupuncture can reduce the frequency of hot flashes caused by hormone therapy. 

• Sleep Problems: Acupuncture has been associated with reduced insomnia severity and slightly improved sleep quality in cancer patients, compared to standard care.

• Lymphedema: According to the National Cancer Institute, acupuncture may help relieve lymphedema.

• Others: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends acupuncture for in conjunction with pharmaceuticals for various symptoms, including postsurgical gastroparesis, opioid-induced constipation, opioid-induced pruritus, inhibitor-associated joint pain, neck dissection-related pain, and dysfunction.

 

Can Acupuncture Help With Mental Well-Being?

Acupuncture before cancer-related surgery has been shown to reduce pre-surgical anxiety. Studies on non-cancer patients also link acupuncture to reductions in anxiety, depression, and fatigue compared to standard care, potentially enhancing overall quality of life.
 

Does Acupuncture Hurt? 

Acupuncture is not typically painful. Most people experience a slight needling sensation, sometimes accompanied by heaviness, numbness or tingling. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, most people do not report pain.
 

Are there Side Effects? 

Complications from acupuncture are rare, though side effects may include pain during treatment and feeling light headed, or infection if needles are not sterile. Rare problems that may arise include infection from using non-sterile, incorrect placement of needles, movement of the patient, or a needle defect.
 
In cancer patients, strict sterilization is crucial due to compromised immunity caused from treatments.
 

Where Can People with Cancer Find Acupuncture Treatment?

If you’re interested in acupuncture as a complementary therapy, talk to your healthcare provider first. You can search for credentialed practitioners through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Look for an acupuncturist credentialed in your state that has experience in cancer therapy.
 

Does insurance cover acupuncture? 

According the American Cancer Society, many insurance plans cover acupuncture. Contact your insurer to find out what your plan covers. The American Cancer Society suggests asking these questions:

 

• Does my insurance plan cover acupuncture? If so, how for how long? much coverage is provided and for how long?

• How much will I need to pay out of pocket for this treatment?

• Do I need a prescription or referral for this treatment?

• Do I need to get this service preauthorized?

• Do I need to see a practitioner who is in my network? If so, will any coverage be provided if I go out of network?

 

Final Thoughts

For cancer patients and survivors, the journey to recovery is highly personal, often requiring physical, mental, and emotional support. Evidence suggests acupuncture is a safe and effective complementary therapy that can alleviate many common challenges, from nausea and pain to fatigue and emotional stress. By embracing this holistic approach, cancer patients and survivors may experience enhanced comfort, energy and well-being.

 

 

References

Cancers (Basel): Acupuncture for Managing Cancer- Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta- Analysis
Cancer Research UK: Acupuncture
Current Pain and Headache Reports: Acupuncture for Cancer Pain and Related Symptoms
UCLA Health: The benefits of acupuncture for cancer patients and survivors
National Cancer Insitutue: Acupuncture (PDQ)- Patient Version
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Acupuncture for Neuropathy, Cancer Pain, Anxiety, and More
Healthline: Does Getting Acupuncture Hurt?
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety
Cancer Medicine: Acupuncture for the prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
American Cancer Society: Will My Insurance Cover Complementary and Integrative Therapies?
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America: The Value of Acupuncture in Cancer Care