There are a number of side effects associated with chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that helps kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Chemotherapy’s side effects vary from patient to patient, with some individuals suffering severe side effects and others experiencing hardly any side effects at all. If you’re struggling with adverse symptoms of chemotherapy, Acupuncture Zen can help.
Some chemo drugs can damage cells in the heart, kidneys, bladder, lungs, and nervous system. Sometimes, you can take medicines with the chemo to help protect your body’s normal cells. There are also treatments to help relieve side effects.
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy come with a wide range of debilitating side effects. Choosing holistic and non-invasive treatments to combat these side effects are popular as they don’t add medications on top of chemotherapy sessions, but rather, heal the body from within using its own natural healing properties. Acupuncture for adverse reactions to chemotherapy can help to relieve people who are not wanting to utilize or cannot use more traditional treatments to manage chemotherapy side effects.
One of the most debilitating and common adverse reactions to chemotherapy is a hand-foot syndrome. This side effect of chemotherapy involves symptoms such as:
Acupuncture is proven to help reduce the symptoms of hand-foot syndrome so that people living with this adverse reaction to chemotherapy can live better lives of mental and physical well-being. In particular, acupuncture sessions help to reduce the severity of symptoms specific to hand-foot syndrome including depression, sleep issues, nausea, and exhaustion.
It’s believed that acupuncture works by rebalancing bodily systems which can help to improve blood circulation, reduce inflammation, and improve how nourishment reaches cells in order to regenerate. Chemotherapy can disrupt the natural balance of processes required of the body to maintain health and wellness. Imbalances in these bodily functions can lead to chronic pain and discomfort. But, acupuncture unblocks the “qi”, or flow, that results in these bodily systems being able to work as they should. The result is better pain reduction, better feelings of overall well-being, and better mood management for people who are using chemotherapy as a means to overcome a cancer diagnosis.
Acupuncture Consultation: Before your first acupuncture session, you’ll consult with your acupuncture practitioner about your expectations for treatment, any medications you may be taking, previous treatments you may have tried, and the symptoms you’re experiencing. This way, your acupuncture sessions will be individualized to meet your specific needs.
Acupuncture Applications: During acupuncture sessions, your acupuncture practitioner will insert small needles into your skin at specific points on your body. These acupuncture points are directly related to your symptoms and are non-invasive and aren’t inserted deeply, so you shouldn’t anticipate any pain.
Recovery: Since acupuncture is non-invasive, there isn’t a recovery period after acupuncture sessions. Some people may experience lightheadedness or disorientation, but this is only temporary. So, it may be suggested that you don’t do anything physically or mentally demanding directly after sessions.
If you’re struggling with the side effects or adverse reactions of chemotherapy, acupuncture may be right for you. Acupuncture Zen offers acupuncture sessions in Delray Beach and specializes in acupuncture for adverse reactions to chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy can cause unpleasant side effects including:
