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:
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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
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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
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