Acupuncture (PDQ®)
Cancer Information Summaries « English « Patients « A
Overview
- Acupuncture applies needles, heat, pressure, and other treatments to one or more places on the skin known as acupuncture points (see Question 1 ).
- Acupuncture has been used in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years as part of traditional Chinese medicine (see Question 2 ).
- Acupuncture has been used in the United States for about 200 years (see Question 2 ).
- Acupuncture is used to treat many illnesses and ailments; however, it is mainly used to control pain, including cancer pain (see Question 2 ).
- Acupuncture may work by causing physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain (see Question 3 ).
- Laboratory and animal studies of acupuncture for cancer treatment suggest acupuncture can reduce vomiting caused by chemotherapy and may help a person’s immune system work better (see Question 5 ).
- The most acupuncture research on cancer has been done in China (see Question 6 ).
- Most acupuncture research with cancer patients studies the use of acupuncture to relieve symptoms caused by cancer treatment (see Question 6 ).
- There is strong evidence from clinical trials that acupuncture relieves nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (see Question 6 ).
- It is important that acupuncture treatment be given by a qualified practitioner who uses a new set of disposable (single-use) needles for each patient (see Question 7 ).
This record was last updated on October 6th, 2006.
About the PDQ Cancer Information Summaries from the National Cancer Institute
PDQ (Physician Data Query) is a comprehensive cancer database published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine; a registry of cancer clinical trials; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care.
The PDQ Cancer Information Summaries are peer reviewed and updated monthly by six editorial boards comprised of specialists in adult treatment, pediatric treatment, supportive care, screening and prevention, genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine. The Boards review current literature from more than 70 biomedical journals, evaluate its relevance, and synthesize it into clear summaries. Many of the summaries are also available in Spanish.
Linked medical terms appearing on this page are added by Healia to help readers find more information and are not part of the original PDQ document.