Chemotherapy commonly causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy (PN), and leukopenia. Acceptance of acupuncture as a supportive antiemetic is growing as studies prove that it is effective at reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Additionally, data suggests that there is a positive effect of acupuncture on chemotherapy induced PN (CIPN). CIPN can be very disabling and/or painful, have a major impact on patient quality of life, and delay chemotherapy treatments if severe enough.
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Franconi, G., Manni, L., Schröder, S., Marchetti, P., & Robinson, N. (2013). A systematic review of experimental and clinical acupuncture in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013.
Author: Erica Rosen, LAc, EAMP, Dipl.OM