Acupuncture and Aromatase Inhibitors

[Well1501]

I just saw this abstract about acupuncture and joint-related pain due to aromatase inhibitors.

"Published in Oncology (/explore/channel/oncology/sp1)

News · July 31, 2018

Acupuncture May Cut Arthralgia From Aromatase

Inhibitors

Clinical significance of the pain reduction remains uncertain

HealthDay

MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Acupuncture may

cut joint pain among postmenopausal women with early-stage

breast cancer and aromatase inhibitor-related pain, according

to a study published in the July 10 issue of the Journal of the

American Medical Association.

Dawn L. Hershman, M.D., from Columbia University in New

York City, and colleagues evaluated acupuncture for reducing

aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain among postmenopausal

women with early-stage breast cancer. Participants were

randomized to true acupuncture (110 patients), sham

acupuncture (59 patients), or waitlist control (57 patients) group.

The researchers found that from baseline to 6 weeks, the mean

observed Brief Pain Inventory Worst Pain (BPI-WP) score

decreased, indicating reduced pain by 2.05 points in the true

acupuncture group, by 1.07 points in the sham acupuncture

group, and by 0.99 points in the waitlist control group. For true

acupuncture the adjusted difference was significant versus

sham acupuncture (P = 0.01) and versus the waitlist (P = 0.01).

However, patients in the true acupuncture group experienced more grade 1 bruising versus

patients in the sham acupuncture group (P = 0.01).

"Acupuncture was associated with statistically significant reductions in aromatase inhibitorrelated

joint pain at six weeks, although the magnitude of the improvement was of uncertain

clinical importance," the authors write.

Abstract/ Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

(jamanetwork.com/journals/ja...

[AnnieAppleseed]

I strongly support the use of acupuncture for many reasons. A 6000+ year tradition that helps the body balance and rebalance. My close friend became an acupuncturist just 2 years before I found breast cancer. She helped me with many things over the years, first of all ending my menstrual cramps and then other amazing and wonderful help. Worth a try.