Chemotherapy can have plenty of side effects including hand-foot syndrome, redness, swelling, tingling, numbness, itching, and physical pain. According to a recent study conducted at the Chongqing Tumor Institute in China, acupuncture was found to assist rectal cancer patients in chemotherapy mitigate the symptoms that come with it. Among the patients tested, approximately 70 percent found a noticeable difference with acupuncture. In fact, approximately 17 percent found symptoms completely cured.
Can acupuncture help with chemotherapy side effects?
Particularly problematic among patients with chemotherapy is hand-foot syndrome which traditional Chinese medicine believes to be a result of energy obstruction and lack of blood circulation. The numbness and pain common to the condition is said to come from skin and muscles which are not able to be nourished properly. Acupuncture points used to treat chemotherapy symptoms were GV20, LI4, TB5, ST36, and the Ashi points. For constitutionally weaker patients, supplementary acupoints were added including KD3, SP6, and GB34.
The results of this study, no matter what you believe to be the origin of hand-foot syndrome, is positive for acupuncture. Proven as an effective treatment for this particular set of symptoms, chemotherapy patients are recommended to use acupuncture to alleviate this syndrome, in addition to improving the overall quality of life.
Is acupuncture effective for treating cancer?
This is far from the only study recommending acupuncture as a solution for chemotherapy side effects. Even the Canadian Cancer Society recommends acupuncture as a complementary therapy or treatment to assist in remedying some of the symptoms that come with chemotherapy. Naturally, acupuncture is not going to treat the cancer itself and thus far, there’s no evidence suggesting it can be used to any degree as a possible cancer treatment. That said, there’s significant evidence it can help with things like nausea, sleeplessness, and vomiting.
There’s also evidence suggesting acupuncture needles could be used to improve things like pain, fatigue, anxiety, loss of appetite, and shortness of breath. There are studies currently being conducted in Canada analyzing acupuncture’s effects on nerve damage caused by chemotherapy as well.
Can acupuncture help with chemotherapy side effects?
If you are considering acupuncture, speak with your healthcare team. If you have a low white blood cell count, a low platelet count, or if you are on certain medications, acupuncture may not be recommended. In general, acupuncture’s very safe and when practiced by a qualified practitioner, side effects are non-existent. You are also likely to feel no pain as the needed are entered into the skin or taken out. Please note a small amount of blood may appear after a needle is removed however it’s minimal.
If you want to try acupuncture needles in Canada, visit Lierre.ca. Using these high quality fine needles, you can perform acupuncture as needed and ensure it’s getting done right.