Acupuncture

Sorella
Sorella Member Posts: 107
edited February 2017 in Pain

I am 4 weeks post surgery but still in pain. I start chemo Nov. 7. I am thinking of trying acupuncture for pain now, chemo soon. Any interest or experience out there?

Comments

  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited October 2016

    No but I am considering acupuncture for my terrible back pain. Right now I have committed to working with a chiropractor.

  • Sorella
    Sorella Member Posts: 107
    edited October 2016

    I have plenty of aches and pains from arthritis and I find swimming the best relief but have always wanted to try acupuncture. Perhaps now is the time!

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited October 2016

    You might want to talk with your Dr for input.

    I've never done acupucture - don't want a bunch a needles inserted in my body - IF not properly steralized. Especially during Chemo while the immune system may be compromised. Look at how many get infections from nail salons from lack of standard sterilization being done between customers. Acupressure might be something I would consider.

    I was never one who was pro chiropractic until several years ago, it was suggested to get a chiropractic adjustment for my gelding as he was stiff working on the flat (dressage) and not up to what his preformance over fences should have been. I was very skeptical but got Dr Max (a human chiropractor who also specialized in horses) out to him. It was amazing the improvement in him. Also had a made that had been a broodmare until I got her - had him work on her and it was almost unbelievable the change in her attitude. It did take more than one adjustments for them initially and some later but the results were fantastic. As animals - they were only showing the positive. I have done chiropractic session since for me - the first guy I saw wasn't 'bad' but the woman I see now is fantastic.

    (I have arthritis in my upper back, osteoporosis, lots of 'aches/pains' from all I have subjected my body to in my very active outdoor lifestyle.)

  • Skiclaire
    Skiclaire Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2016

    I have had acupuncture treatments since my first week of chemo and I believe they are helping to control my side effects and anxiety. A reputable acupuncturist will have experience with cancer patients. They also use sterilized needles and it is not sore when they place them. I find it incredibly relaxing and would recommend it highly.

  • Sorella
    Sorella Member Posts: 107
    edited October 2016

    Skiclaire, thanks for your response. I am definitely looking into it. I just put a call into my MO about the continued pain. I am afraid to start the chemo if my surgical area still feels this way. I was actually hoping to try the acupuncture before the chemo to see if it will help the pain now and side effects later. I prefer no more narcotics but pain wearing me down

  • NineTwelve
    NineTwelve Member Posts: 569
    edited October 2016

    I see an acupuncturist once a week. It has helped me so much - with pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, digestive problems, headaches. The needles are in sterile sealed packages and are only used once then thrown away.

  • meg2016
    meg2016 Member Posts: 287
    edited October 2016

    I can't speak for pain, but I did acupuncture throughout my chemo and ongoing (at the suggestion of my MO) for neuropathy and it helped a lot. If you can get a diagnosis from your doctor, your insurance may pay for it (mine did.) It is absolutely worth a try. Any reputable acupuncturist is familiar with the needs of cancer patients, they get a lot of people coming in for help with chemo or side effects. I go to Dana Farber for treatment and they actually have several trials going for accupuncture along with treatment. It absolutely helped me!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2016

    Acupuncture helped my friend a lot to reduce post-chemotherapy fatigue.

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 897
    edited February 2017

    It is a procedure that has helped me with back pain over the years and gets me thru the 1st week after chemo with minimal side effects. You cannot feel the needles at all

    I thank god for the relief!!

  • Reikion
    Reikion Member Posts: 50
    edited February 2017

    Sorella, I highly recommend acupuncture treatments to manage side effects. I had never tried it before my diagnosis and am quite afraid of needles. But I decided to try it. I started prior to my surgery in Feb 2016 to help stabilize the body and continued thereafter. I think it helped with healing after surgery, with side effects from chemo and with recovery from radiation and fatigue.

    I am in a clinical trial and still undergoing chemo and I continue to see my acupuncturist regularly - sometimes as frequently as every week, other times once in 3 weeks.

    Wish you all the best,

    Reikion

  • maria26
    maria26 Member Posts: 44
    edited February 2017

    does anyone know if this will, increase lymphedema risk. I have pain between spine and shoulderblade cts clear but nothing helps, pain. I was under the impression needles anywhere in the b.c. side quadrant were a no no. Would also benefit from injection into site but again worried over Lymphedema risk


  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited February 2017
  • MARIONSGIRL
    MARIONSGIRL Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2017

    I will be starting acupuncture next week. I have finished chemo and radiation and have been on Aromasin for a year and for the last few months I have had hand, wrist and knee pain. My MO at Dana Farber in Weymouth said it was okay to try it. It is given at the Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital. I have also gone to chiropractors and sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Insurance paid for the chiropractor, not sure about acupunture.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited February 2017

    I've had acupuncture on my lumpectomy side with no problems at all. It's also been recommended by my surgeon's office and my PT (who is a lymphedema educator), so I doubt there's any reason for concern.

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