In addition to the latest high tech medical treatments, many oncologists and cancer centers employ complementary and alternative medicine as part of patient care. These adjunct therapies such as chiropractic care, nutritional therapy, and acupuncture are not generally used to treat the cancer, but rather, help alleviate the side effects of cancer treatment.

A recent study found that acupuncture may help relieve severe nerve pain called chemotherapy induced neuropathy that is often associated with some cancer drugs. Currently there is no effective treatment for this condition, so the results of this study are particularly encouraging.

The small study involved inserting 20 needles at specific points and depths for 20 minutes. Six patients with peripheral neuropathy received 10 sessions delivered by a doctor over a period of three months. Five patients with peripheral neuropathy served as a control group.

Tests of the signaling speed and intensity of two nerves in the same calf were conducted before acupuncture and again six months after chemotherapy. The same tests were carried out on patients who did not receive acupuncture.

The researchers found that both the speed and intensity of nerve signaling improved in five of the six patients who had acupuncture, and the five patients also said that their condition had improved.

In the control group, nerve speed stayed the same in three patients, improved in one and decreased in one. Nerve intensity improved in two, decreased in two, and stayed the same in one.

The study authors noted that previous research suggested that acupuncture may increase blood flow in the legs, which may help repair nerve damage. They added that the results warrant further investigation in a larger study.

Acupuncture in Cancer Care

Acupuncture is already widely used to help ease many cancer treatment-related side effects including nausea and vomiting, stress, fatigue, dry mouth, and pain. Other recent studies suggest that acupuncture may also boost your immune system.

Sources:

Healthfinder

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

National Cancer Institute