Accupuncture to relieve fatigue caused by chemo

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Marj4230
Marj4230 Member Posts: 13
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
Accupuncture to relieve fatigue caused by chemo
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  • Marj4230
    Marj4230 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2008

    I just read an article that says an acupuncture group had a

    36% improvement in chemo induced fatigue after 2 weeks of treatment.  These people were given 6 sessions of acupuncture and even 2 weeks after treatment  22% of the people reported a lasting decrease in fatigue.  Has any one out there tried accupuncture for fatigue, I'd be interested to hear your stories!

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2008

    I haven't done any acupuncture, but when I was finished with chemo and starting rads I began seeing a chiropractor and I believe it helped me heal better/faster. Still had the fatigue but I was also working full-time so who knows?

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  • Inday888
    Inday888 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2008

    Marj 4320 mentioned 36% & 22%. Do these percentages refer to number of people or to amount of improvement from fatigue? Also, was acupuncture permitted by their doctors?

    For Jaybird 627: was seeing ur chiropractor to seek relief from chemo-induced fatigue?       

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2008

    More and more of the bigger clinic are using acupuncture for multiple things.  I was referred for neuropathy and pain management.  With diet changes I have zero fatigue from 26 chemo tx in 16 mths.  It's even getting approved for lymph-edema patients who want benefits of treatments.

    Flalady

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  • Jaybird627
    Jaybird627 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited February 2008

    Inday,

    I believe the chiropractic adjustments helped me deal with the fatigue from rads (yes, I was still tired but I was also working full-time) and I also think it helped me recover from the chemo more quickly than average but I cannot say for sure as I can't compare it to anything else. I do swear by adjustments, though, for continued well-being.

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  • Marj4230
    Marj4230 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2008

    Inday888, The article states that the acupuncture group had a 36%improvement in fatigue.  The group (47 people) were either given accupuncture, accupressure or a sham  

    accupressure .  The accupressure group had a 19% improvement, and the sham group had only a 0.6 % improvement.  I,m seriously thinking about trying this with chemo.  The hospital has  a MD who does it out of his office. Whether he does it personally, or has another person do it, I don't know.  Some are MD's and some are certified techs. The study was done in Great Britain and the article was written by a doctor.  That's all I know!

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2008

    Check insurance and cost first.  Most insurance companies will not pay for it.  They still consider it alternative treatment.  My surgeon wrote me a prescription and insurance still would not pay.

    Flalady

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  • Kerry1000
    Kerry1000 Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2008

    I did find acupuncture helpful - actually the first treatment was described more as an 'intro' and didn't have much effect, but a couple of subsequent treatments definitely helped.  The hospital I go to has an acupuncture clinic; I would try to find a place that's medically affiliated in some way.  I didn't keep it up much as it's a little pricey and not covered by insurance, but it was definitely worth it through my AC treatments.

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