Acupuncture and Cancer + Chronic pain

Among Breast Cancer patient, lots of side effects of pain symptoms came from weakening of shoulder region with post mastectomy patients and causing secondary orthopedic pain in neighboring joints such as over-used elbow or wrist. 

In our clinic, we also use combination of Acupuncture and Tai-Chi Exercises to enhance energy level for chronic pain patients such as people with diagnosis with severe arthritis, spondylosis or disc herniation. Without surgery, patient is capable of retaining mobility without taking medication and regains improved sleeping pattern. 

In one very preliminary 2004 study at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, acupuncture was shown to reduce post-chemotherapy fatigue by 31% in people with various types of cancer. In 2005, another preliminary study of breast cancer patients in Sweden showed that acupuncture reduced hot flashes by half. While doctors find these results encouraging, they are still very early results and require further study.