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Acupuncture & Integrative Oncology

Advances in traditional oncology have significantly extended the lives and improved the remission rates of cancer patients worldwide. However, many individuals continue to grapple with chronic pain and other side effects from treatment. The physical and emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis, and the treatments prescribed can significantly impact quality of life both physically, and mentally. 


Research has shown that integrative treatments, such as acupuncture, can effectively alleviate a range of symptoms experienced by cancer patients and survivors. Beyond physical discomfort, cancer and the subsequent treatments, may induce anxiety and depression.  As oncology patients exhibit higher rates of mental health conditions compared to the general population, acupuncture's holistic approach offers a promising avenue for addressing these emotional burdens, while also treating possible side effects from the disease, and/or treatments. 


In the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) used several randomized control trials as well as systematic reviews to inform the following evidence-based recommendations for patients and survivors looking to manage their pain, anxiety, and depression. These recommendations align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) emphasis on non-pharmacological approaches to pain and other cancer-related symptoms.


These findings, trials and studies have recommended the use of acupuncture for:

  • Patients undergoing cancer surgeries or other related procedures

  • Pain management during and after cancer treatments

  • Anxiety before, during and after cancer treatments and other related procedures 

  • Depressive symptoms during active cancer treatment, and beyond 

The research also shows acupuncture can be used to treat conditions including but not limited to:  

  • Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

  • Fatigue

  • Xerostomia, or dry mouth

  • Lymphedema

  • Insomnia

  • Neuropathy 

  • Hot flashes

  • Nausea and Vomiting

The integrative treatment approach was shown to reduce pain intensity, speed up the onset of pain relief, encourage prolonged pain-free periods, and improve overall quality of life without severe adverse effects. These findings underscore the clear value of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for oncology patients, regardless of where they are in their journey. 


If you’re interested in learning more about how acupuncture could benefit you, please give us a call at 301.880.3232 and it would be our pleasure to schedule a comprehensive evaluation for you.


 

References:


Alimi, David & Rubino, Carole & Pichard-Léandri, Evelyne & Fermand-Brulé, Sabine & Dubreuil-Lemaire, Marie-Laure & Hill, Catherine. (2003). Analgesic Effect of Auricular Acupuncture for Cancer Pain: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Trial. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 21. 4120-6. 10.1200/JCO.2003.09.011.


Carlson, L., Ismaila, N., Addington, E., Asher, G., Atreya, C., Balneaves, L., Bradt, J., Fuller-Shavel, N., Goodman, J., Hoffman, C., Huston, A., Mehta, A., Paller, C., Richardson, K., Seely, D., Siwik, C., Temel, J., & Rowland, J. (2023). Integrative Oncology Care of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Cancer: Society for Integrative Oncology–ASCO Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 10.1200/JCO.23.00857


Crew, Katherine & Capodice, Jillian & Greenlee, Heather & Brafman, Lois & Fuentes, Deborah & Awad, Danielle & Tsai, Wei & Hershman, Dawn. (2010). Randomized, Blinded, Sham-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Management of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Joint Symptoms in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 28. 1154-60. 10.1200/JCO.2009.23.4708.


Ge L, Wang Q, He Y, et al. Acupuncture for cancer pain: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Chinese Medicine. 2022;17(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-021-00558-4


Hu, C., Zhang, H., Wu, W., Yu, W., Li, Y., Bai, J., Luo, B., & Li, S. (2016). Acupuncture for Pain Management in Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2016, 1720239. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1720239


Johns Hopkins Medicine. Acupuncture. John Hopkins Medicine. Published 2019. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture


Kim SY, Min S, Lee H, et al. Changes of Local Blood Flow in Response to Acupuncture Stimulation: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2016;2016. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9874207


Mao, J., Ismaila, N., Bao, T., Barton, D., Ben-Arye, E., Garland, E., Greenlee, H., Leblanc, T., Lyman, G., MacLeod, J., Master, V., Ramchandran, K., Wagner, L., Walker, E., Bruner, D., Witt, C., & Bruera, E. (2022). Integrative Medicine for Pain Management in Oncology: Society for Integrative Oncology–ASCO Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 40(34), 3998-4024. An American Society of Clinical Oncology Journal. 10.1200/JCO.22.01357


Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Acupuncture | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. www.mskcc.org. Published 2024. Accessed June 14, 2024. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/acupuncture


NIH: National Cancer Institute. Acupuncture - NCI. www.cancer.gov. Published May 11, 2006. Accessed June 1, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/acupuncture-pdq#:~:text=Is%20acupuncture%20approved%20by%20the


Oh JE, Kim SN. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acupuncture at ST36 Point: A Literature Review in Animal Studies. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021;12:813748. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.813748


Zhao T, Liu J, Li Y, et al. Acupuncture Case Registry Study: Rationale, Implementations, and Achievements. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022;2022:1-10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3860231

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