Acupuncture in Supporting Cancer and Survivorship

Supporting those who have just received a diagnosis, improving the difficulties of treatment side effects, and enabling survivors to welcome a different path as they enter life after being proclaimed cancer-free.

An acupuncturist is performing moxabustion therapy on a patient's leg.

Supporting Cancer Patients with Acupuncture

Supporting those who have just received a diagnosis, improving the difficulties of treatment side effects, and enabling survivors to welcome a different path as they enter life after being proclaimed cancer-free.

Modern healthcare has made significant progress in treating cancer. The quality and length of life have improved for most cancers because of better screening methods and diagnostics, improved treatment, and many other things.

However, it's an incredibly hard diagnosis to navigate mentally, a physically demanding journey, and these things take a heavy toll on our bodies and spirits. This is partly due to the many hard-hitting interventions which follow a cancer diagnosis:

  • Surgery to remove tumours

  • Chemotherapy

  • Radiation Therapy

  • Immunotherapy

Among the difficulties, Western Medicine encounters in cancer treatment include significant side effects, resistance to chemotherapy medications over time, limited efficacy in late-stage tumors, emotional and psychological impact, and disease remission even following good treatment.

These difficulties present chances for complementary therapies such as acupuncture to be part of the cancer journey. By filling some of these voids, these age-old customs may improve the general success of cancer treatment and recovery.

Acupuncture Clinics: A Place of Comfort, Throughout

A large part of having acupuncture throughout the journey is having consistency with at least one therapist. Typically, everything is separated specialities, which often requires completely different teams who do not speak with each other, leading to a frustrating and isolating experience. That's where the therapeutic relationship between the acupuncturist and patient can be so meaningful; they're the one person who is consistent across the journey outside of personal relationships. They're the person you can be yourself with, saying how you feel when you don't want to worry others. Acupuncture is often the central pivot that supports you throughout your journey.

An acupuncturist in a purple shirt and dark waistcoat talks to another person lying down in a blue sports shirt.

Common Cancer Complaints

  • Acupuncture can help with general pain caused either by cancer, medications, or the cancer itself.

  • Chronic stress and pain can wreak havoc on the immune system. This is often further exasperated by heavy medications, such as chemotherapy, which often kills a lot of our leucocytes (which are our body's immune cells).

  • Shortness of breath is common in cancers like lung cancer but also when the cancer has spread to the lympatic system. Acupuncture has been researched and proved to help patients with things like respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and pulse rates.

  • Often following on from radiotherapy, the salivary glands can be damaged which leads to dry mouths. Acupuncture has been proved in various research studies to help with this and there are various protocols to help.

  • A lot of chemotherapy can include nausea and vomiting. Sometimes, people have had to stop chemotherapy as they've found nausea so hard. Acupuncture has been proven again to help with these conditions, with points such as Pericardium 6 (Nei Guan or Inner Gate) to relieve nausea.

  • A lot of the side effects from drugs like Tamoxifen, often used in women with breast cancer, are focused on hot flashes. It's said to deplete kidney yin in Chinese medicine, and acupuncture can be seen to help rebuild the yin within the body.

  • The removal of tumours can be done through surgery but often there are compkications or patients finish feeling weak. Surgery cuts meridians open, which impede the free flow of qi, so it's important to restablish good conections.

  • A lot of patients come with complaints of peripheral neuropathy as a result of their treatments. Acupuncture often has a strong effect on treating neuropathy of all descriptions, which can provide a lot of relief for patients.

Close-up of hands performing acupuncture with needles on a person's skin.

Cancer Survivorship: Acupuncture Supporting Life After Remission

Surviving cancer is increasingly common, but it remains a significant accomplishment. Our bodies undergo substantial changes as we overcome cancer, which can take a toll on our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Sometimes, we don’t always notice it, but as acupuncturists, we can often sense things like exhaustion in the pulses.

Acupuncture can be a wonderful complementary therapy to support people after surviving cancer. It helps the body to return to a state of health, overcoming the hardships that the journey has provided. There are many ways that our bodies suffer during and after the cancer journey.

These include:

  1. Physical challenges: These often include fatigue. Often there are additional components like chronic pain, changes in physical appearance, or newfound complaints. Often, additional complications arise as a result of the treatment and recovery process.

  2. Emotional challenges: Many survivors face anxiety about recurrence, depression, post-traumatic stress, and changes in self-image and confidence.

  3. Spiritual challenges: Adjusting to a new life after cancer often means reevaluating one’s purpose, personal values, and worldview. It may involve seeking direction or deeper meaning.

Acupuncture can support people in addressing all of these challenges.

Acupuncture Safety With Cancer

While acupuncture can offer numerous benefits for cancer patients, it's crucial to approach this therapy with caution and awareness. This section will outline important precautions and potential red flags to ensure safe and effective acupuncture treatment for cancer patients.

Some Safe Practices

(But Not All)

  • ●      Wait for proper healing before treating areas affected by surgery

    ●      Consult with the oncologist to determine appropriate timing

  • ●      Avoid needling in areas where lymph nodes have been removed

    ●      Be aware of the risk of lymphedema in affected limbs

  • ●      Take extra care with patients undergoing radiation therapy

    ●      Avoid needling directly into tumor sites or metastases

  • ●      Check platelet levels before treatment to avoid bleeding risks

    ●      Be aware of anemia and adjust treatment intensity accordingly

Some Precautions

  • Active infections

  • Severe bleeding disorders

  • Unstable vital signs

  • Skin lesions or rashes

  • Severe Fatigue or Weakness