Acupuncture and Cancer Care: Finding Strength and Balance

Hearing the word cancer can be scary. You may feel worried, confused, or unsure about what will happen next. But there is hope. Many people recover from cancer or live long, healthy lives with the right care and support. Today, there are more treatments than ever before to help stop cancer, slow it down, or make you feel better while you heal.

Along with your regular cancer treatments, you can also choose natural ways to support your body. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been used for thousands of years to help people heal, reduce pain, and find support for whole-body health. They can be safely used to help you feel stronger and calmer while going through medical treatments.

Understanding Cancer and Its Treatments

Cancer happens when certain cells in the body start to grow too fast and don’t stop. These cells can form lumps or spread to other parts of the body, making it hard for healthy cells to do their job.

There are many kinds of cancer, but the most common include:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer
• Colon cancer
• Prostate cancer

Doctors choose your treatment based on the type of cancer, how far it has spread, and your overall health. Treatments can work very well, but they may also cause side effects.

Common treatments and side effects include:

• Surgery: Removes the cancer from the body.
  • Side Effects: Pain, inflammation, mobility, and strength issues possible during recovery.
• Chemotherapy: Uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells.
  • Side Effects: It may cause tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or hair loss.
• Radiation therapy: Uses powerful energy to destroy cancer cells.
  • Side Effects: It can cause fatigue and skin changes near the treated area.
• Biological therapy: Helps your immune system fight cancer.
  • Side Effects: It can cause flu-like feelings, rashes, or loss of appetite.

These treatments can save lives, but they can also make the body feel weak and tired. That’s where acupuncture and TCM can help support your healing.

How Acupuncture Helps During Cancer Care

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that acupuncture can help reduce:

•  Nausea and vomiting
• Mental and physical fatigue
• Pain after surgery

Acupuncture can support overall well-being by:

• Calming the nervous system
• Improving blood flow
• areas of the body with weakness, mobility, or pain issues
• Stress / Anxiety
• Easing fatigue

Your practitioner might also suggest:

• Gentle bodywork or acupressure
• Nutrition guidance
• Light exercises or breathing practices
• Herbal medicine or supplements

Always tell your doctor and acupuncturist about all the medicines and supplements you take so they can work safely together.

Working together with your medical team

Acupuncture is a supportive therapy that can be safely combined with your doctor’s treatment plan. We always encourage open communication with your oncologist and medical team. By working together, we help create a coordinated plan that supports both your physical healing and emotional wellbeing.

Supporting Your body during cancer care

Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine focuses on helping your body recover from the effects of treatment and daily stress. Many people going through care experience muscle pain, tightness, poor sleep, or loss of energy. Acupuncture restores comfort, calms the nervous system, restores mobility / strength, and reduces pain so your body feels better during every stage of recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: Can acupuncture cure cancer?
No. Acupuncture does not cure cancer. It’s used to help manage side effects, improve quality of life, and support your body during medical treatments.

Q: Is it safe to get acupuncture during chemotherapy or radiation?
Yes, when performed by a licensed acupuncturist familiar with oncology-supportive care. Always tell your medical team so treatments can be coordinated safely.

Q: How many sessions are needed?
Every person is different. Some patients come once or twice a week during active treatment, then less often as they recover.

Metairie Acupuncture Care and cancer Support

If you’re receiving cancer treatment and want gentle, natural ways to support your body, our clinic in Metairie, Louisiana is here to help. Every session is tailored to your needs—whether that’s reducing pain, improving mobility, or helping you feel calm and strong through treatment and recovery.

Big Easy Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine

Feel Right. Move Free. Live Easy. 

References:
1. NIH Consensus Conference. Acupuncture. JAMA 280 (17): 1518-24, 1998.
Comprehensive cancer care: integrating alternative, complementary, and conventional therapies. Gordon JS, Curtin S. NY: Persus Publishing, 2000.
Acupuncture. American Cancer Society. May 25, 2007. Link
Understanding CancerTreatment. WebMD. Accessed February 11, 2008. Link
New Lung Cancer Guidelines Oppose General CT Screening – Lung Cancer Recommendations – Avoid Select Vitamins, Try Acupuncture. Chest, September 2007.