acupuncture for cancer support

There have been many advances in the early detection and treatment of cancer. While the standard medical care for cancer is effective, the treatments are aggressive and cause numerous unwanted side effects as well as a lowered immune system. Acupuncture has received much attention as an adjunctive therapy in cancer treatments for its use in pain relief, reducing side effects, accelerating recovery and improving quality of life. It can be used to address many of the concerns that come up during and after chemotherapy, radiation, biological therapy and surgery.

Acupuncture provides a total approach to health care for people with cancer. Chinese medicine does not view cancer as an unfortunate random health condition; rather, TCM dictates that a body in balance cannot support cancer. In addition to helping patients deal with the side effects of cancer treatments, acupuncture can be used to reduce the chances of a re-occurrence of cancer for those in remission. By promoting wellness, acupuncture and Chinese herbs can increase longevity for survivors.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Acupuncture may cause physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to release proteins, hormones, and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, Acupuncture can affect blood pressure and body temperature, boosts immune system activity, and causes the body's natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to be released.

Areas that Acupuncture has shown the most promise include:

• Nausea and Vomiting
• Dry Mouth, Night Sweats and Hot Flashes
• Stress, Anxiety and Fatigue
• Pain Management
• Increasing White Blood Cell Count

Nausea and Vomiting - The strongest evidence of the effect of Acupuncture has come from clinical trials on the use of Acupuncture to relieve nausea and vomiting. Several types of clinical trials using different Acupuncture methods showed Acupuncture reduced nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, surgery, and morning sickness. It appears to be more effective in preventing vomiting than in reducing nausea.

Other symptoms caused by Cancer Treatment - Clinical trials are studying the effects of Acupuncture on cancer and symptoms caused by cancer treatment, including weight loss, cough, chest pain, fever, anxiety, depression, night sweats, hot flashes, dry mouth, speech problems, and fluid in the arms or legs. Breast cancer survivors also report increased lymphatic drainage and improved circulation after lymph nodes have been removed. Studies have shown that, for many patients, treatment with Acupuncture either relieves symptoms or keeps them from getting worse.