AI side effects and acupuncture

Never heard of that - in fact I participated in a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center which was testing if acupuncture could help relieve joint aches and pains for b/c patients on aromatase inhibitors. The acupuncturist was a medical oncologist as well as an acupuncturist.  If a world renowned institution like Hopkins is willing to try acupuncture to relieve AI aches in b/c patients, then I think your physio is mis-informed.  I'm sure others whose oncs have endorsed and even recommended acupuncture will jump in.

Perhaps a statement from your med onc could set her straight. 

Hi, sarana,

don't know what planet your physio is on, but Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, has a Complementary Care Center which offers acupuncture.

And if you google Tracy Walton, in Boston, MA, you will find she specializes in acupuncture with cancer patients who are most DEFINITELY not in pallative care.

There is strong evidence  acupuncture helps reduce inflammation, and many women have found GREAT RELIEF from some of the symptons of AI's by using acupuncture.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE how much relief I've gotten from my acupuncture treatments - no more joint pain.  

sarana

I lived in London for years.  I'm amazed to hear that from an NHS person.  My local "surgery" was always suggesting various homeopathic treatments - mine for allergies which went WILD when I moved to London from the States - really helped.

My acupuncturist also uses a great deal of "Chinese Medicine" - and it's that which is keeping my hay fever completely under control.  

Good luck finding someone.  If you are near London - Neal's Yard, off Covent Garden used to be a good source for this kind of treatment - but I'm thinking of about 25 years ago ;-)

Hi Sarana,

Hopefully you'll be able to find someone more helpful! 

Here's some information from Memorial Sloan-Kettering, one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the US, about acupuncture:    (CLICK HERE)

"Bottom Line: Acupuncture is effective in treating some symptoms associated with cancer treatment.

Acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine and involves use of needles, heat (moxibustion), pressure (acupressure) or electricity to stimulate one or more points in the body to promote the flow of Qi (internal energy). The World Health Organization supports the use of acupuncture in reducing symptoms, such as depression, facial pain, headache, peripheral neuropathy, lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, postoperative pain, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, hot flashes and side effects caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Acupunture also reduced symptoms of sneezing, itching, and runny nose in children with allergies, and may be useful against allergic rhinitis in adults when used along with standard medications. Acupuncture also improved pregnancy rates in women following in vitro fertilization, but did not provide pain relief in women undergoing induced labor.
Acupuncture treatments are generally safe and well tolerated by most patients. Some conditions may require continuous treatments in order to achieve long-term effect.
Cancer patients considering acupuncture should seek certified or state-licensed practitioners who have training or experience in working with cancer patients.