According to the British Acupuncture Council website ‘Forty percent of people with early or intermediate stage cancer, and 90% with advanced cancer, have moderate to severe pain; up to 70% of those with cancer pain do not receive adequate pain relief’. Acupuncture works to help relieve pain and side effects caused by treatments such as chemotherapy. Side effects vary based on the treatment given and the type of cancer but can often range from hot flushes, nausea, vomiting, and feeling weak or even emotional distress.
Acupuncture aims to help relieve the pain caused by cancer and its treatments by stimulating the nervous system; causing the release of neurochemical messenger molecules which work to deactivate the ‘analytical’ part of the brain responsible for anxiety and worry. By stimulating these acupoints the brains sensitivity to pain and stress is reduced allowing increased relaxation. Neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin and dopamine are also regulated, altering the brains mood chemistry and helping to combat the negative effects.
The British Acupuncture Council shows strong supporting evidence for using acupuncture to treat individuals with cancers suffering from a variety of problems such as general pain, fatigue, xerostomia, leukopaenia, vasomotor symptoms, nausea and vomiting. There is no generalised evidence to state that acupuncture is beneficial as cancer patients often have to deal with a variety of these conditions but individually it clearly states that acupuncture is a successfully and beneficial treatment for helping those suffering from cancer.
At Acupuncture That Works we are happy to help if you or someone you know is suffering from cancer and its affects and will be glad to offer you a free no obligation assessment and talk to you about the benefits that treatment could bring. Please call us on 0800 051 76 88 to make your appointment.
Acupuncture That Works are based in Northwich and provide acupuncture services for Northwich and the whole of Cheshire.
