A cancer diagnosis and the journey through treatment can be incredibly overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. Oncology acupuncture is here to gently support you — and your family if needed — before, during and after treatment.
Working alongside your medical and other allied health care, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may help ease treatment side effects, support your body’s recovery, and improve your overall sense of wellbeing and quality of life along the way.
We believe the best outcomes come from an integrative approach to care. If needed, we can work alongside your medical and allied health team and are happy to refer or collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure you receive well rounded support throughout treatment and recovery.
Importantly, acupuncture is not a replacement for medical cancer treatment. It is used as a complementary therapy to support symptom management, recovery and wellbeing.
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Oncology Acupuncture
How Oncology Acupuncture May Help
Research suggests acupuncture may assist with a range of cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, including:
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Fatigue and low energy
Peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling, nerve pain)
Pain and musculoskeletal discomfort
Menopause related symptoms
Dry mouth following radiation
Sleep disturbance
Stress, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing
Joint pain associated with hormone therapies
General recovery and quality of life
The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), and Society for Integrative Oncology recognise acupuncture as a supportive therapy that may help manage certain cancer treatment side effects when used alongside standard medical care.
Chemotherapy can be life-saving, but it can also create difficult side effects that impact daily life and emotional wellbeing. Acupuncture is commonly used to help patients manage the treatment side effects and maintain better quality of life throughout care.
Research has shown promising outcomes for acupuncture in supporting:
Nausea & Vomiting
One of the strongest areas of evidence for oncology acupuncture is chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Clinical guidelines from integrative oncology organisations recommend acupuncture and acupressure as supportive therapies for managing these symptoms.
Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN)
Peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, burning, tingling, pain and weakness in hands and feet during or after chemotherapy. Emerging research suggests acupuncture may help reduce neuropathy symptoms and improve quality of life in some patients.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7341378/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7066475/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Fatigue & Recovery
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and persistent side effects of treatment. Studies suggest acupuncture may help improve energy, sleep, and physical functioning in people experiencing cancer-related fatigue.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23109700/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10083363/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7533944/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Pain Management
Acupuncture is increasingly used in integrative oncology programs to support pain management, including treatment-related pain and joint pain associated with hormone therapies. Some studies show acupuncture may help reduce pain intensity and improve comfort when combined with standard care.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2687355
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/acupuncture-pdq?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Supporting Clients Through Chemotherapy
