Acupuncture for Cancer

The role of acupuncture in the management of cancer pain and chemo/radiotherapy-related nausea or vomiting has been widely recognized by many major insurance companies in the United States. Moreover, acupuncture can be used to improve the quality and expectancy of life of the cancer survivals. 

Acupuncture in Cancer Rehabilitation

Although often being ignored, acupuncture plays an important role in the rehabilitation of cancer patients. Cancer rehabilitation helps a cancer patient obtain the best physical, social, psychological, and work-related functioning during and after cancer treatment. Viewing a patient as a whole being, acupuncturists use holistic approaches to reorganize imbalanced infrastructure and functionality of the diseased body. Therefore, acupuncture represents a promising alternative remedy for the whole health of cancer patients. 

Benefits of Acupuncture 

Combined with standard cancer treatments (such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy), acupuncture may help cancer patients achieve the following goals:
  • Reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, anemia, lymphedema, hair loss, anxiety, depression, and urinary incontinence.
  • Assist with cancer pain management
  • Overcome fatigue
  • Enhance memory and concentration
  • Extende life expectancy

Advantages of Acupuncture

Comprehensive cancer rehabilitation is generally provided by a team of health care professionals, including oncologists, physiatrists, rehab nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists/psychiatrists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, and vocational counselors. If acupuncture is added, the work efficiency will be greatly increased. Compared with other therapies, acupuncture has the following advantages:
  • Quick response
  • Profound, durable, favorable influence
  • Well compatible with other therapies

Acupuncture in Cancer Healing

Modern acupuncture practice shows that acupuncture can not only play an important role in cancer rehabilitation, but also may help people fight against cancer per se. There are many specific extra acupuncture points that can be chosen for the primary treatment of cancer with standard methods. If you want to know more about the details, please don't hesitate to call Dr. Yan at 901-428-6689.