ACUPUNCTURE FOR CANCER SUPPORT
Acupuncture provides support for people in all stages of their cancer journey. It can reduce the severity of cancer symptoms and the side effects of oncology treatment.
Acupuncture is particularly recommended for:
Cancer related fatigue
Cancer related pain
Nausea, vomiting and digestive problems
Peripheral neuropathy or nerve pain from chemotherapy
Hot flushes and other hormonal symptoms
Cancer related depression and anxiety
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Overall wellness and quality of life
Acupuncture is safe and offered in many oncology hospitals, as an adjuvant to cancer treatment. It is always best to discuss acupuncture (and other support) with your oncologist before commencing. If requested, your acupuncturist can also communicate directly with your medical team, regarding acupuncture treatment and progress.
Acupuncture is not provided to treat cancer. It is useful and safe to support you during oncology treatment as well as afterwards in regaining strength and wellness.
Tradition
Acupuncture is based in traditional philosophies of health cultivation. Acupuncturists look holistically at the whole person, to identify imbalances. The concepts of Yin & Yang apply in:
Temperature control: assisting the body warm and cool effectively. This affects digestion, sleep and energy levels.
Fluid control: assisting the body absorb water, use it hydrate, cleanse and cool, and then collect and eliminate it effectively. This helps with water retention, oedema, hot flushes, digestive and immune functions.
Stress management: reducing stress response and improving our ability to relax and sleep. This helps with sleep, digestion, pain management and emotional symptoms.
The insertion of needles in specific acupuncture points aims to stimulate our bodies internal systems.
Current Knowledge
Research shows that whole cascades of biomechanical changes happen within our bodies during and after an acupuncture treatment. This involves changes to local and global pain relief and changes to the messaging in our nervous systems and endocrine systems. We know that acupuncture can:
Release endorphins - to provide feelings of strength and wellness. It’s a burst of goodness that goes along way, especially when appetite and ability to exercise are affected.
Improve blood circulation - this helps in wound or injury healing. It can also help with delivering extra oxygen, nutrients and immune cells to targeted areas (eg. specific organs, glands, joints).
Reduce inflammation - local, targeted areas and over the entire body. This helps with wound and injury healing, and pain management.
Filter out excessive messages to the brain - this helps with pain management, depression and anxiety.