Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is based on the idea that good health is related to yin and yang being in harmony inside the body. Acupuncture is currently available to cancer patients at several cancer clinics.
Acupuncturists put needles along the meridians, which are the body's energy lines, to rebalance the body's energies. The 2012 National Health Interview Survey estimates that 1.5% of the population today utilizes acupuncture, which was once a rare therapy in the United States. As an integrated supplementary therapy for cancer, acupuncture is employed. This implies that acupuncture is used with traditional therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, to treat cancer. This article will discuss the best benefits that may interest you about acupuncture for cancer patients.
1. Easing cancer treatment's adverse effects
Different people react differently to cancer treatments. There might be mild to severe adverse effects if the therapy harms healthy cells. It's critical to develop coping mechanisms for the adverse effects of treatment. You'll have a higher quality of life and continue with your therapies on schedule when your symptoms are under control. As a natural alternative to opioids or other drugs, acupuncture provides treatment for adverse effects. The National Cancer Institute reports that studies demonstrate acupuncture helps ease symptoms connected to cancer therapies, such as:
2. Immune System
In cancer patients, acupuncture may potentially have a beneficial effect on immune system health. At this moment, it is still speculative if this may play a part in cancer treatment.
3. Depression and Anxiety
Early research indicates that acupuncture may help cancer patients feel less depressed and anxious.
4. Sleep
At least one research has demonstrated that receiving acupuncture improved the quality of sleep for cancer patients.
5. Addressing cancer survivors' persistent pain
Years after their treatments are finished, about 35% of cancer survivors still endure chronic pain (pain on most days). However, one in two survivors receives inadequate pain management. A recent study suggests that acupuncture could provide a remedy. Participants in the research were cancer survivors with persistent musculoskeletal discomfort (pain in bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, or muscles). Acupuncture provided participants with more pain alleviation than their normal medical treatment.