Textbooks about acupuncture date it back to about 100 BCE. It is probably one of the oldest forms of medicine still in practice today. To me, that says a lot. If it didn’t work, it wouldn’t still be around.
How Can Acupuncture Help Me Feel Better?
The most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatments that can be successfully treated or improved include:
- pain (post surgical pains, bone pain from metastasis)
- peripheral neuropathy
- headaches
- insomnia
- anxiety
- hot flashes
- digestive issues, like heartburn, nausea, constipation and diarrhea
- joint and muscle pains
- urinary incontinence
Is Acupuncture for Me?
Almost anyone can benefit from acupuncture. Acupuncture can be ideal for many people living with cancer and recovering from treatments because it does not involve pills! A common complaint when people ask their doctors how to treat these side effects is that they are given another prescription. Less oral medications mean less side effects from drugs – doesn’t that sound nice?
You will get the best results from acupuncture with a series of treatments, which on average is about 6 to 10 sessions total. I would be happy to get together and discuss how many treatments would be right for you!
What Does an Acupuncture Treatment Look Like?
When you get an acupuncture treatment, extremely thin needles are inserted into specific points on your body. These needles are usually only inserted about as deep as your thumb is wide, and it is extremely safe.
Acupuncture rarely hurts. Some people feel a dull ache or a tingling sensation when the needles are put in, and occasionally points around fingers and toes are a little sharp, but the sensation passes quickly. Once they try it, most people love acupuncture as it is very relaxing and enjoyable. Most people take a nap!
An acupuncture treatment lets you lie down for about 30 minutes while the needles do the work. We’ll go slow and ensure you feel safe and comfortable along the way. By the time you’re done, you should feel much more relaxed, and many people report an immediate improvement.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Evidence from clinical trials suggests that acupuncture works by stimulating nerves in fascia, which is a connective tissue beneath your skin that surrounds your muscles, organs, and bones. Other evidence suggests that acupuncture helps activate neurotransmitters in the body that help regulate pain.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, acupuncture works by directing the energy and information of your body, collectively known as Qi (“chee”). Sometimes this means bringing more Qi to an area, and sometimes it means dispersing Qi and helping it flow more smoothly, helping you to get better!
Discover a more holistic approach to your health care with acupuncture. Call our clinic today to set up a consultation!
