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.

Dundee, J. W., Yang, J., & McMillan, C. M. (1991). Non-invasive stimulation of the P6 (Neiguan) antiemetic acupuncture point in cancer chemotherapy. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 84(4), 210-212.

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