Acupuncture to Manage Pain?

[Stuee01]

Hi everyone!

I am just wondering if anyone has tried acupuncture therapy for managing abdominal issues/pain and how it worked out for you? I have read that some oncologists do suggest acupuncture to their patients who have had gynecological surgery and curious about any real life examples of success.

Thanks!

Steph

[Eriksendi]

I’d also be interested to hear if anyone has had success with this. Also, has anyone ever had ultrasound for internal scar tissue rather than further surgery? Did anyone have any success?

[delia2]

Hi Steph. I started getting acupuncture after frontline to deal with neuropathy in my feet and general improvement in my debilitation after chemo. I kept going during chemo for recurrence and Olaparib. It helped me a little t with energy and sleep. I never had dramatic effects from it but when I didn’t go for several weeks I could really tell the difference. Do you know what’s causing your pain? I hope you can get some relief!

[Stuee01 in reply to delia2]

Hi Delia!

Thanks for your response. I'm actually asking for my partner. I have read on the other OC site - Inspire about some folks who have had some success with acupuncture when it came to resolving digestive issues, abdominal scar tissue etc...due to surgery and also chemo. She doesn't have severe pain. It has been about a year and a half now since her debulking and 9 months since end of frontline. She just gets some abdominal cramps and gas issues from time to time.

Good to hear that it has worked a bit for you with your neuropathy!

-S

[Gemmyw]

I had it for joint pain relating to surgical menopause and I'm pretty certain it helped. My physio also used some sort of concentrated ultrasound machine thing too and that definitely worked - movement was much easier almost immediately and lasted a few days to a week. My sessions (in the south east) were about £30 for 40 minutes and I was lucky to be able to claim 10 sessions per year from my private medical insurance. If I hadn't had insurance, I would have been happy to pay for them myself.

[Stuee01]

Thanks for your feedback Gemmy We may try some sessions.

[koffeekat99]

Hi. I was already having regular acupuncture for unrelated chronic pain when I was diagnosed with OC. My onc team said I recovered from surgery exceptionally well and generally afterwards seem to have done better than expected.I don’t know if acupuncture was a reason for this but it certainly didn’t make anything worse!

Make sure all new pains or symptoms in abdomen are checked out. Tell oncology about any treatments you have. Go to a reputable place (membership of professional body).

I’ve not had acupuncture for over 18 mths as the Pain Mgt Unit paused face to face treatments. I can definitely tell the difference with my pain and am quite keen now for treatment to restart.

Good luck

[Stuee01 in reply to koffeekat99]

Thanks for your feedback and advice koffeekat! Yes, definitely looking for someone with professional certification. Glad to hear it works well for you

Steph

[Worsuz]

Not acupuncture but my wife has regular reflexology and raves about it. It’s helped with lots of aches and pains