Acupuncture's Symptomatic Benefits and Risks for Breast Cancer Patients - Health - Cancer

<p>Breast cancer treatment today involves more than only standard chemotherapy but also alternative therapies such as: herbal supplements, spiritual guidance and other supplementary treatments. One alternative therapy that has generated popular interest is acupuncture-with the main question being: "Can acupuncture actually help me improve my quality of care?" In this post, we will review some of the key benefits and risks of acupuncture therapy to cancer patients. The information presented below is not meant to be interpreted as professional medical advice, but a review of the widely published claims about acupuncture.What is acupuncture?</p>

<p>Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of medicine which requires applying the technique of inserting very thin needles referred to as "acupuncture points" through the skin at specific nerve points on the body to manage and reduce pain and other symptoms. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine, prescribed for pain management to improve a patient's quality of care and life.What benefits might acupuncture provide to breast cancer patients?Relieve Fatigue</p>

<p>According to scientists at the University of Manchester, UK, acupuncture could help relieve the crippling fatigue, one of the most common side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment in cancer patients. The new work indicates that acupuncture can reduce fatigue by stimulating the body to release endorphins - morphine-like chemicals that block pain signals and induce a feeling of well being and radically improve a patient's quality of life.</p>

<p>"People felt better and had more energy after treatment with acupuncture," says Alexander Molassiotis, professor of cancer and supportive care at the University of Manchester. "Patients had the energy to walk to the shops and to socialize, so their quality of life improved significantly," he says.Control Hot Flashes</p>

<p>According to a study conducted by Dr. Eleanor Walker, radiation oncologist from the Henry Ford Institute, acupuncture is effective as drug therapy at reducing hot flashes in breast cancer patients. The study compared the effect of acupuncture vs. venlafaxine (Effexor) in reduction of hot flashes in 50 breast cancer patients. Effexor is a common antidepressant [selective serotonin receptor inhibitor] prescribed to treat hot flashes after standard chemotherapy treatment and/or anti-estrogen hormones such as Tamoxifen and Arimidex.</p>

<p>The study found that both groups initially experienced a 50 percent decline in hot flashes and depressive symptoms, indicating that acupuncture is as effective as drug therapy.</p>

<p>Differences, however, between the two groups began to emerge two weeks post-treatment: The acupuncture group continued to experience minimal hot flashes, while the drug therapy group had a significant increase in hot flashes. The acupuncture group did not experience an increase in the frequency of their hot flashes until three months post-treatment.Decrease Nausea</p>

<p>Studies from the Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the Swedish Gteborg and Institute of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy have demonstrated that when acupuncture is combined with ondansetron treatment, the combination therapy reduces nausea and vomiting associated with cyclophosphamide infusion in patients with rheumatic diseases. An increasing number of patients suffering from rheumatic diseases have been receiving infused chemotherapy treatment and as a result, have experienced treatment-induced nausea. Therefore, the findings have applicability to cancer patients.Reduce Pain</p>

<p>A new study by led by researchers at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center involved 43 women, all of whom were coping with aromatized inhibitor-related joint pain. Twice a week for six weeks, the study members received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (a placebo treatment in which the acupuncture needles were inserted in places not recognized as actual acupuncture points). Study results showed that women receiving true acupuncture had a significant decrease in joint pain and stiffness. Moreover, 20 percent of those who had reported taking pain-relieving medications said they no longer needed to use those medicines after they'd received acupuncture. In the placebo group, meanwhile, no such changes were reported.Risks of Acupuncture Treatment</p>

<p>Some of the risks associated with acupuncture treatment have been summarized below:Lymphedema:</p>

<p>Acupuncture is considered acceptable, and often helpful, when needles are placed in areas of the body that are not affected by lymphedema (localized tissue swelling by a compromised lymphatic system). In determining whether or not to go ahead with acupuncture treatment on body parts not affected by lymphedema, patients should seek advice from their lymphedema therapist. Anyone who has had lymph nodes removed from under the arm should not have needles inserted into that arm. If acupuncture is used on an arm, there is a risk of lymphedema, or swelling caused by an excess of fluid in the arm. Consult an acupuncturist about other treatments that could be used on that arm, such as aromatherapy.Infection:</p>

<p>There is no a uniform standard rule or laws throughout the United States that govern acupuncture. Nor are there laws regulating training, sanitation requirement or licensing. Though it is standard practice to use disposable, single-use sterile needles and to swab acupuncture areas with alcohol prior to use, infection is always a risk. Additionally, patients with low white blood cell counts are at an increased risk of infection during acupuncture treatment. This is because low white blood cell count weakens the immune system.Bleeding for certain people</p>

<p>Due to the risk of bleeding, patients should not receive acupuncture if they have:1) bleeding disorders2) low white blood cell counts OR currently, taking blood thinnersReducing chemotherapy effectiveness when combined with herbal supplements:</p>

<p>Although acupuncture sometimes does incorporate the use of herbal supplements, please consult your oncologist and acupuncture therapist before taking herbal supplements. Herbal supplements may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy.We hope that this initial analysis and introduction of acupuncture has been helpful and if you have any tips or comments for our readers, we'd love to hear from you.
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