Hello
This week in our month of ‘Health in Focus’ posts on complementary therapies, we’ll be looking at acupuncture.
Acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles just below the skin at particular points thought to be helpful to the body. These points are called acupuncture points and can be anywhere on the body. There is also a type of acupuncture called auricular acupuncture which inserts the needles only into points on the ears. Like the feet in reflexology, the ear is thought to reflect to whole body, and stimulating certain acupuncture points in the ear benefits different parts of the body.
The needles are usually left in place for a short time and then removed at the end of the treatment.
In traditional acupuncture from Chinese medicine, these points are thought to be part of the body’s energy system, which we talked about last week (healthunlocked.com/ovacome/... ). Practitioners believe that the needles help to maintain or restore the flow of energy to support your health. There’s no research evidence to support this theory, but many people find that it helps them to relax and feel more positive.
Western medical acupuncture uses the same technique of inserting needles, but it’s thought that they affect the nearby muscles or nerves to alleviate symptoms or increase the sense of wellbeing. It’s thought to work by stimulating the release of natural substances such as endorphins, which can reduce pain.
There are also similar therapies to acupuncture not involving needles. One of these is acupressure, which involves applying gentle pressure to the acupuncture points. Another is moxibustion, in which a dried herb called mugwort is rolled into sticks which are lit and the glowing end of the stick held near the acupuncture points to warm them. There are also versions involving electricity or magnets.
For people with cancer, acupuncture is used to help manage symptoms including nausea caused by chemotherapy; tiredness; stress and anxiety; joint pain and stiffness, and hot flushes due to menopause. There is some evidence that it can be effective treatment, but more research is needed. For example, there is ongoing research into whether acupuncture can help with peripheral neuropathy and whether moxibustion can help with the side effects of chemotherapy more generally.
At your first appointment, the acupuncturist will start by taking a medical history and talking to you about what you’re hoping to gain from your treatment. They will then start to insert the needles at points where they think it will be beneficial. The needles are usually left in place for between 10 and 30 minutes. It is not painful, although you may experience a tingling sensation.
Some NHS hospitals and clinics offer acupuncture, sometimes through their palliative care team. It may also be covered by private medical insurance. Many hospices and cancer centres also offer acupuncture free of charge. You can ask your team about where to go in your area or contact your local cancer centre for information.
Therapists at hospitals and cancer centres are also likely to have special training in treating people with cancer and have some understanding of cancer treatments. This is important, as they may need to avoid certain areas, for example limbs affected by lymphoedema, or not use some products such as herbs which could interact with medications.
If you decide to go to a private acupuncturist, it’s important to make sure that they’re fully qualified and a member of the British Acupuncture Council. Registration is voluntary, but it provides some reassurance that the therapist is fully qualified and meets their standards. You can search for a registered acupuncturist at acupuncture.org.uk/.
When contacting an acupuncturist, tell them that you have been diagnosed with cancer. You should also ask them about their qualifications, experience, insurance and training, especially whether they are trained and experienced in treating people with cancer.
Acupuncture is generally considered safe, but it can have side effects. The most common is bruising or bleeding, which happens in about 3% of people, especially if you have a low platelet count or other condition which increases your risk of bleeding. You may also have a brief increase in pain symptoms, which may then be followed by a decrease. Serious side effects are very rare.
You can find more information about acupuncture at:
about-cancer.cancerresearch...
macmillan.org.uk/cancer-inf...
acupuncture.org.uk/a-to-z-o...
If you would like to share your experiences of acupuncture or have any tips on it, please comment on this post. If you would like information or support, please contact our Support Line on 0800 008 7054 or email support@ovacome.org.uk .
Best wishes
Julia (Support Services Officer)
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