Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient remedy that is part of traditional Chinese medicine. In addition to offering an understanding of the circulatory and nervous systems in the body, Chinese medicine also talks about a system of life force (energy) channels. The energy that moves along the channels is known as chi. Acupuncture needles are placed along points in this system to help release the flow of chi and restore health and balance in the body. A number of scientific studies have shown how acupuncture works and how it can help in pain relief.

A professional acupuncturist may be a member of a team working in a pain clinic. Studies show that during acupuncture the body releases endorphins, natural chemicals which can relieve pain, relax muscles, and increase feelings of well-being. Acupuncture can be helpful with symptoms in stage 3 and 4 and even with side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea. Sometimes a practitioner will apply pressure to a specific area of your wrist using seabands (acubands). This acupressure uses the same principles as acupuncture and some people find it helpful.

Asbestos cancer
Asbestos exposure is generally associated with mesothelioma. This asbestos cancer may be pleural (lung), peritoneal (abdomen), or pericardial (heart). Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can improve survival rates if done early on. Alternative treatments like acupuncture can be useful throughout the disease to relieve pain or other symptoms and to help you relax.

Watch our mesothelioma blog for information on recent research and other developments in the search for better mesothelioma treatments.

Acupuncture for lung cancer treatment
Lung cancer in all its form is the primary source of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States, causing more deaths than the next four most common cancers combined, including colon, breast, pancreatic, and prostate. The western medical profession has finally approved acupuncture for lung cancer treatment.

In 2007, new guidelines to treat the various forms of lung cancer were carefully developed and reviewed by a large panel of experts across multiple fields. They included pulmonology, oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, nursing, research, pathology, disease control, and—for the first time in history—integrative medicine. Integrative medicine incorporates alternative and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. The guidelines have received the blessing of a multitude of medical professional associations:

• ACCP Thoracic Oncology NetWork
• Health and Science Policy Committee
• Board of Regents
• external reviewers from the journal Chest.
• The American Association for Bronchology
• American Association for Thoracic Surgery
• American College of Surgeons Oncology Group
• American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
• Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
• Oncology Nurses Society
• Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and
• World Association of Bronchology