Acupuncture is an age-old therapy that originated in China. Today, this therapy is extensively accepted, and it is listed in Western medicine. A review from 2002 suggests that Acupuncture is one of the most effective and reliable treatments for cancer and other deadly diseases. Along with easing the symptoms of cancer treatment, this therapy helps in relieving Pain and side effects of Cancer Treatment. Treatment of Acupuncture revolves around the stimulation of more than one designated point on the patient's body with several needles, electricity, and pressure, also known as acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and acupressure. The systematic method involves putting pressure on the body with needles to help the patient achieve optimal relaxation.

Clinical Studies

• Breast Cancer

  A study conducted in 2009 suggests that Acupuncture is a powerful and effective metrology that can be used as a complementary therapy when the ill body goes through Pain and poor regulation caused by side effects from an array of cancer treatments like Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. These include Vomiting and Nausea. Acupressure and Acupuncture act as unique pain relievers. Furthermore, Acupuncture can help in lowering xerostomia. Another study conducted in 2017 suggests that acupressure and Acupuncture were used in Breast Cancer patients for lowering chemotherapy-induced Vomiting and Nausea. Lastly, a study from 2005 recommends that Acupuncture can treat musculoskeletal symptoms caused by Breast Cancer treatment, including Pain.

• Lung Cancer

  A study conducted in 2013 suggests thatAcupuncturewas also combined with different cancer treatments as an adjunct treatment for treatingLung Cancerpatients with conditions likeVomitingandNauseacaused byRadiotherapyorChemotherapyandPeripheral Neuropathyand cancer-relatedPaincaused by inadequate regulation of cancer symptoms.

• Chronic Pain

  Acupuncture and acupressure also have a vital role in treating chronic Pain. A survey from 2019 suggests that Acupuncture offered management and assistance of chronic Pain in adult cancer fighters. The survey reported that the advantages of Acupuncture are independent of any harm. Nonetheless, further studies are required to back this statement. Acupuncture and acupressure offer limited relaxation.

Why Acupuncture and Acupressure in Cancer?

Acupuncture plays an indispensable role in healing cancer patients and relieving a plethora of side effects, lowering treatment toxicity, enhancing the quality of life, and driving the well-being and overall health of the patients.

Quality of life

Several experts have suggested Acupuncture as an effective method for enhanced quality of life in cancer patients. Acupuncture can considerably enhance the survival rate of a cancer patient. Nonetheless, a recent study from 2019 suggests that regulating and imitating Acupuncture while chemotherapy, did not enhance the quality of life in patients suffering from Breast Cancer. Although Acupuncture is said to be beneficial for treating cancer, its precise vitality is vaguely known. More research is required to understand its potential.

Depression and Anxiety

Furthermore, several patients experienced severe Depression and Anxiety while undergoing Cancer Treatment. A study from 2018 suggests that acupressure significantly relieved depressive symptoms in Breast Cancer patients. Many patients experienced Depression long after the treatment was finished. These patients were also offered Acupuncture therapies to relieve these infuriating symptoms. Acupressure was moreover also linked with relieving Anxiety.

Xerostomia

Acupressure is highly known for its rich potential to relieve Dry mouth. Several preliminary evidence suggest that Acupuncture can be substantially effective in lowering xerostomia related to breast, neck, and head cancers.

Fatigue

Fatigue is another side effect caused by cancer treatments. It can last quite long, depending on the stability of the patient. A study from 2018 suggests that Acupuncture has an effective outcome on Fatigue in several cancer patients. This was specifically noticed in Breast Cancer patients.

Hot Flashes

A random trial conducted amongst women who had Breast Cancer and experienced troublesome and painful hot flashes was offered electroacupuncture therapy. It was noted that electroacupuncture relatively lowered hot flashes and mitigated several adverse effects linked to it.

Pain

A study from 2019 suggests that Acupuncture helped in relieving and calming Pain caused by cancer treatments. Ileus and Bowel Function A recent study recorded thatAcupuncturesignificantly helped in dealing with Ileus and bowel functioning in patients who haveColorectal Cancer. Nausea and Vomiting Lastly, several trials have found the vitality of Acupuncture in dealing with Vomiting and Nausea caused by cancer treatments.

Reducing Risk

One of the primary components of several integrative cancer therapies and their protocols is to transform the tumour microenvironment. This is necessary to eliminate the future growth and spread of the cancer cells. Chronic inflammation can commonly occur when the wound of the tumour doesn't recover, thereby leading to fibrosis, which can further spread the cancer cells. Wound healing happens in the connective tissues of the human body. Acupuncture and manual therapy offer promising results in stretching the connective tissues, thereby thoroughly mitigating the fibrosis and inflammation of the tumour.

Cautions

Acupuncture is usually said to be safe, cost-effective, and well-tolerated for treating cancer. Nonetheless, this treatment does not work for every individual. It can further cause several adverse effects. Studies suggest that about 10% of total cancer patients may encounter these adverse effects. They include fatigue, pain, bleeding at needling parts, drowsiness, skin irritation, lightheadedness, hematoma, and much more. One must consult their doctor and understand the vitality and security of Acupuncture before they make use of it as an adjunct therapy. Patients should find licensed, verified, and properly qualified acupuncturists to make use of the treatment. You can ask for suggestions from your oncologists or conventional physicians. Patients with the below-mentioned conditions should strictly stay away from engaging in the treatment of Acupuncture.

• Neutropenia
• Pregnancy
• Lymphedema
• Pacemaker user
• Unstable spine
• LowPlateletcount

Studies also suggest that electroacupuncture should be avoided while dealing with implantable defibrillators or pacemakers as these conditions require much more deliberate attention in situations of seizures and disorders.