What is it?
Acupuncturists put fine, sterile needles into certain points just under the skin. According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi (vital energy) flows through the body in channels called meridians. Placing needles along these meridians is said to unblock and move qi, helping to reduce physical and emotional symptoms.
Research suggests that the needles stimulate the nervous system and the connective tissue in the body and help the body produce certain biomolecules such as hormones.
What to expect
After a consultation, which may include tongue and pulse analysis, the practitioner gently positions sterile needles into acupuncture points on your body. The needles are left in place for 30 seconds to 30 minutes and may be stimulated manually by twirling or by using a machine (called electro-acupuncture). You may feel a tingling or dull ache, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Some acupuncturists use:
- press needles – small labels that stay in place for several days
- laser acupuncture – using laser light to stimulate acupuncture points.
Some people may bruise or bleed around the insertion point. Check with your doctor whether acupuncture is suitable for you, as penetration of the skin barrier by needles may increase the risk of infection or bleeding for some people having cancer treatment.
For more about what to expect during an acupuncture session, visit Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.
What is the evidence?
International clinical guidelines recommend acupuncture for joint pain related to using aromatase inhibitors, an option for managing cancer pain and musculoskeletal pain, tingling in the hands and feet from chemotherapy (peripheral neuropathy), cancer-related fatigue and hot flushes.
Evidence also suggests that acupuncture may help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, with trouble sleeping and with anxiety. It is not clear whether it helps relieve dry mouth, but several studies are underway.
In Australia, use of the term acupuncturist is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA). To check whether your acupuncturist is registered, visit ahpra.gov.au. Some registered acupuncturists have special training in treating cancer-related conditions. Ask your doctor whether acupuncture is offered at your treatment centre.
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Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
A/Prof Geraldine McDonald, Director Patient Experience and Wellbeing, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; A/Prof Christine Carrington, Senior Consultant Pharmacist Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Metro South Health and The University of Queensland, QLD; Kellie Giannarelli, Consumer; Dr Suzanne Grant, Senior Research Fellow, Integrative Oncology, NICM Health Research Institute, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Vivienne Hansen, Bush and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner, WA; Karla Jaji, Administration Officer, Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Dr Laura Kirsten, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Services, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, NSW; A/Prof Judith Lacey, Director of Supportive Care and Integrative Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Adjunct Professor Danforn Lim, Western Sydney University and University of Technology Sydney, NSW; Dr David Mizrahi, Senior Research Fellow and Accredited Exercise Physiologist, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Professor Avni Sali AM, Founder and Director, National Institute of Integrative Medicine, VIC; Gillian Thompson, Consumer; A/Prof Kate Webber, Medical Oncologist, Monash Health, VIC; Tanya Wells, Integrative Oncology Consultant and Naturopath, Melbourne Integrative Oncology Group, VIC; Prof Kate White, Professor Cancer Nursing, Cancer Care Research Unit, The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW.
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