Acupuncture is sometimes dismissed as an “alternative” treatment, with people questioning what it can really offer in cancer care. But that view is changing, as more and more research supports its use. Acupuncture is increasingly being recognized as a valuable part of integrative, patient-centred cancer care — not as a replacement for conventional treatment, but as a way to support people through the many physical and emotional challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, reducing symptoms, and improving quality of life, ‘balance’ within the body, restoration, and wellbeing. So much so, that large oncology organizations like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Society for Integrative Oncology, and American Society for Integrative Oncology are including acupuncture as a valuable option to manage specific side effects in some of their care guidelines. But people aren’t being offered this as an option, or even aware it exists in many cases!
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a technique involving inserting very thin needles into specific points on the body to exert specific effects. There are many different styles of acupuncture, including medical acupuncture (mostly used for musculoskeletal issues), but the one that makes the most impact with symptom management in the cancer setting is the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) style.
In TCM, there is a network of pathways or channels throughout the body, called ‘meridians’, through which vital energy, known as ‘Qi’, is believed to flow. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians where the flow of Qi (and other substances from a TCM perspective) can be influenced. The stimulation of these points is generally done by the insertion of thin needles at specific points to promote the harmonious flow of Qi and the restoration of balance within the body – this technique is called acupuncture.
Why does improving quality of life matter so much?
Cancer care is about more than treating the disease itself—it’s about caring for the whole person and helping them live as well and fully as possible.
What many people don’t know is that people going through cancer often continue to experience symptoms even despite exhausting the standard of care management of those symptoms. Symptoms like pain, fatigue, hot flashes/night sweats, dry mouth, joint pain, neuropathy, anxiety & depression, can all be commonly experienced throughout treatment, and in many cases we are simply not adequately addressing them for people.
In fact, it’s estimated that people often experience on average 11-13 coexisting symptoms. This is a huge number. It’s this symptom burden that can cause significant suffering, because not only does it result in negative impact on quality of life, but also function in life, and both the ability and willingness to continue on with the conventional cancer treatments they are receiving. As you can imagine, symptom burden is a large cause of depression in those with cancer, due to the limitations that symptoms can put on living life fully.
It’s this suffering and symptom burden that needs to be better addressed wherever possible, and with whatever effective, safe therapies that are available and accessible.
Where does acupuncture fit in?
Acupuncture can be helpful for almost any symptom, but there are a few specific side effects of treatment that are guideline-supported, meaning acupuncture is included in a large guideline as an acceptable option that may be valuable in managing that symptom.
- Joint pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue
- Mood (depressive symptoms, anxiety)
- Cancer-related insomnia
- Dry mouth – specifically in those with head & neck radiotherapy
- Breathlessness (in particular when anxiety and pain are also present)
Why acupuncture is such a great option:
- It is non-pharmaceutical – there are no concerns for drug interaction. This is incredibly valuable for people that are on multiple medications, or medications with difficult or risky interactions.
- You can support mulitple symptoms at once – acupuncture shines here, because points are selected based on the symptoms you are experiencing, and TCM picture you are presenting with. For example, if your main goals are fatigue and hot flash management, but you are also suffering from loose stools, the points for this can often be included into your protocol. Acupuncture truly offers an individualized, holistic approach.
- It supports overall wellbeing – in addition to specific symptom management, regular acupuncture has been shown to improve overall wellbeing. In meta-analyses looking at those with chronic illnesses or pain, acupuncture can show improvement in overall quality of life scores, including levels of stress, anxiety, sleep quality, and more. The SIO guideline on Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment also recognizes acupuncture for improving quality of life scores.
Is it right for me?
Traditional therapies like acupuncture really can play a meaningful role in cancer care, and should be offered to people as an option for improving symptom management, quality of life, and wellbeing. Acupuncture is considered to be generally safe for the vast majority of people, however, like any therapy or medical advice, it needs to be individualized to the person.
Integrative cancer care is not about “alternatives” to conventional therapies – it really is about bringing the best and most evidence-based supportive, non-conventional therapies to the table to care for the whole person to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, helping them feel empowered, supported, and seen throughout their cancer experience. Learn more about integrative cancer care here.
Curious about acupuncture and how it can help throughout your cancer treatment and recovery? Book in with Dr Martha Sharpe ND, who is passionate about helping you navigate which integrative therapies are safe and effective during treatment, recovery, and into survivorship. Learn more about her practice here.
This blog post is for general educational purposes, and is not meant to replace individualized medical advice.