Acupuncture helps reduce side effects of chemotherapy

-

Acupuncture is a treatment method that has shown promise in alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a widely used cancer treatment that involves the use of medication to destroy cancer cells. Although there are various types of chemotherapy drugs, they all function by inhibiting the reproduction of cancer cells, thereby impeding their growth and spread within the body.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy can also harm healthy cells in the body, including blood cells, skin cells, nerve cells, and stomach cells. Consequently, patients often experience several side effects as a result of this treatment. Common side effects of chemotherapy drugs include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, hair loss, fatigue, fever, mouth sores, pain or numbness, constipation, easy bruising, and bleeding.

However, emerging research has revealed that acupuncture can effectively alleviate cancer pain and mitigate the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Studies have indicated that acupuncture may reduce the consumption of opioids following surgery and, consequently, minimize opioid-related side effects. A systematic review demonstrated that patients who received acupuncture during various surgeries, particularly abdominal surgeries, required significantly fewer analgesics compared to those in the sham placebo group.

Moreover, acupuncture has shown promise in reducing postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Many individuals undergoing chemotherapy experience neuropathic symptoms, which arise as a result of the neurotoxic nature of certain chemotherapy drugs. Although chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is typically reversible, it can take months or even years to fully recover. In fact, up to 76% of patients have reported experiencing neuropathic symptoms after undergoing chemotherapy.

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, a pilot non-randomized controlled trial was conducted. The study involved six patients who received acupuncture treatment for 10 weeks, and changes in nerve conduction studies were measured. The results indicated that at the three-month follow-up after acupuncture treatment, five out of six patients demonstrated improvement in nerve conduction studies, whereas only one out of five patients in the control group showed improvement.

Additionally, acupuncture has shown potential in relieving chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), which is characterized by neuropathic pain. CIPN commonly manifests as tingling, burning, or pricking sensations in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, although it can affect other parts of the body as well. Patients with CIPN may also experience sensitivity to pain, decreased physical activity, and motor symptoms, such as dropping items and difficulty performing daily activities.

In recent years, acupuncture has gained attention for its noninvasive nature and safety. It has been widely used in the treatment of diabetes-related neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and CIPN. A recent study analyzed the effects of acupuncture using data from six high-quality randomized control trials involving 386 cancer patients. The findings indicated that acupuncture significantly improved pain scores and effectively relieved CIPN pain and functional limitations.

In conclusion, acupuncture has emerged as a potential adjunctive therapy for managing the side effects of chemotherapy. Its noninvasive nature and demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating pain and other symptoms make it a promising option for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008096/#R18
Tsai-Ju Chien, et al Integr Cancer Ther. 2019; 18: 1534735419886662.
Location: Union Ct, Richmond TW9 1AA, UK

Popular posts from this blog

The Connection Between Facial Expression Muscles and Wrinkles: Understanding the Aging Process

-
Introduction: Facial expressions are an integral part of human communication, allowing us to convey a wide range of emotions and connect with others on a deeper level. However, over time, the repeated contraction of facial muscles can contribute to the formation of wrinkles. In this article, we will explore the relationship between facial expression muscles and wrinkles, shedding light on the aging process and providing insights into ways to maintain a youthful appearance. Understanding Facial Expression Muscles: The human face is equipped with a complex network of muscles responsible for producing facial expressions. These muscles are connected to the skin and work in harmony to create various movements, such as smiling, frowning, and raising eyebrows. While these expressions are crucial for non-verbal communication, the repetitive use of facial muscles can lead to the development of wrinkles. The Role of Collagen and Elastin: Collagen and elastin are two essential proteins
Read more

Having foot drop? Tried acupuncture?

-
 Acupuncture helps improving foot drop Foot drop, sometimes called drop foot is a muscular weakness or paralysis that makes it difficult to lift the front part of your foot and toes. This causes the toes to drag along the ground while walking. To avoid dragging the toes, people with foot drop may lift their knee higher than normal. Or they may swing their leg in a wide arc. Foot drop can happen to one foot or both feet at the same time. Foot drop is a symptom rather than a condition. The causes could be muscle disorders, nerve damage in the leg, or brain and/or spinal injury. Muscles disorders including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and polio cause the muscles to progressively weaken causing foot drop. Some conditions including sports injuries, diabetes, spending long hours sitting cross-legged or squatting, hip or knee replacement surgery, childbirth etc could cause peroneal nerve damage or compressed causing foot drop. Brain or spinal disorders including stroke, m
Read more