Acupuncture for Cancer

Because cancer cells grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and anti cancer drugs often work by indiscriminately killing growing cells.  This extreme, albeit necessary treatment can result in a plethora of side effects that include: immune system deficiency, pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and depression.

Acupuncture can be used in conjunction with medical treatment to relieve these symptoms.  As discussed in a previous blog post, acupuncture can boost immune system response, helping to prevent common yet potentially fatal illnesses.  Acupuncture can also relieve pain by stimulating the body to release natural pain killers, often to the point where pain medication is unnecessary or taken in smaller doses.  In the context of treating cancer medication side effects, acupuncture has also been found to be highly effective at relieving feelings of nausea and vomiting.   Acupuncture has also been proven through research to increase natural killer cell activity, thereby helping the body to rid itself of cancer cells.

While modern cancer treatment and drugs are medical marvels in their own right, they still heavily affect the physical and emotional well being of those with cancer.  Acupuncture can help to relieve these side effects in a gentle and non invasive way, improving one’s general condition.