Acupuncture in the fight against cancer

Posted by Anabel Castilla on January 1st, 2021

Acupuncture in the fight against cancer is a very effective solution. There is also some evidence that acupuncture can help relieve the effects of cancer and treat it.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique that punctures the right points on the body with needles. The needles are left in place for a while and then removed.

Ancient Chinese medicine claims that energy flows through the body. Acupuncture restores proper flow which affects our health.

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide range of pain conditions and other symptoms. Some specialists recommend the use of acupuncture alongside anti-cancer therapies.

a Cancer and acupuncture

Medical research shows that acupuncture works by stimulating the nerves. It releases natural substances in the spinal cord and brain similar to morphine. Acupuncture also releases serotonin. Releasing these substances can ease the symptoms of cancer.

Acupuncture can help with:

fatigue and weakness

pains

breathlessness

hot flushes

Acupuncture helps reduce stress and depression.

In the case of a chronic disease, it may be necessary to perform several sessions, about 3 to 6. After this time, the first changes occur.

What does acupuncture treatment look like?

Treatment usually starts with a few needles. This may change depending on your symptoms. Acupuncture needles are very thin and disposable. After the selected points are punctured, the needles are left in place for 10 to 30 minutes. When it comes to ear acupuncture, the needles can stay in place for several days.

Acupuncture is generally safe with very few side effects. The most common side effect is slight bleeding and bruising. Acupuncture in the fight against cancer

There is no evidence that acupuncture can help treat cancer. But it can help relieve some symptoms and side effects from treatment:

nausea and vomiting

fatigue

ache

anxiety and stress

depression and mood changes

swelling

Acupuncture in the fight against cancer

Most studies show that acupuncture is better than no treatment at all. Some studies have shown the positive results of acupuncture in controlling pain.

Acupuncture can help with joint pain and stiffness. Joint pain is a common side effect of hormone treatment for breast cancer. Regular sessions reduce pain and discomfort.

Acupuncture for nausea

There has been research into how acupuncture can help fight nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Wristbands put pressure on acupuncture points ( acupressure ) on the wrist. It turned out that doctors can use acupuncture with other antiemetics, which gives very good results in the fight against nausea and vomiting.

Acupuncture for neuropathic changes

Acupuncture is also used to reduce the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms may include:

numbness

tingle

feeling of changes in hands and feet

Regular sessions bring remarkable results. There are no studies that confirm its effectiveness, but many patients experience significant changes.

Acupuncture for lymphedema

Lymphedema is swelling caused by a build up of lymph fluid. This could be a side effect of surgery or radiation therapy. During the procedure, the lymph nodes that normally drain the fluid are removed. Lymphedema can cause discomfort, pain, and difficulty moving. There is no reliable cure for lymphedema, but treatment can ease symptoms.

Acupuncture can have a positive effect in fighting lymphedema. However, the swollen areas are not punctured. Stimulating places around can bring the desired results.

Unconventional ways to reduce fatigue

Weakness after chemotherapy is difficult to control and can have a big impact on a normal life. Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in a significant way.

Acupuncture releases the flow of energy and thus our body can be fed evenly. This translates into a feeling of strength, energy and vitality. There is no confirmed research that acupuncture reduces fatigue, but it is often used in such cases.

Acupuncture for shortness of breath

Acupuncture can help relieve shortness of breath caused by advanced cancer or its treatment. Acupuncture also relieves anxiety, which contributes to the enlargement of the alveoli and thus facilitates breathing.

Is acupuncture safe in the fight against cancer?

Acupuncture has fewer side effects than most medications used (steroids and painkillers) and is therefore a safer method of treating certain conditions.

Side effects are sporadic. We can mean a slight reddening or minor bruises at the puncture sites. There may also be some scanty bleeding. Nausea, vomiting or headache is very rare and usually does not last more than a day.

Acupuncture in the fight against cancer is safe if the rules of sterility and hygiene are followed . Take care that the needles have been stored in appropriate sterile conditions and are disposable. Dirty needles can transmit many dangerous diseases transmitted through blood contact, e.g. HIV, hepatitis B.