Acupuncture and Cancer Care: How It Can Support Healing and Quality of Life

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world, with roots stretching back thousands of years. Today, it’s also one of the most widely recognized integrative therapies in cancer care. Once considered “alternative,” acupuncture is now offered at many leading cancer centers, including Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dana-Farber, and City of Hope, as a gentle way to help patients manage side effects and improve overall well-being during and after treatment.

While acupuncture is not a treatment for cancer itself, it can play an important supportive role. Many people find it helps with symptoms like pain, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, nerve discomfort, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping. It can also promote relaxation, emotional balance, and a greater sense of control during a very challenging time.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture involves the gentle insertion of very thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, these points are believed to restore the flow of energy (qi). From a modern perspective, acupuncture is thought to stimulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and help regulate the body’s natural healing responses.

For cancer patients, the goal of acupuncture is usually to relieve treatment side effects, reduce stress, and support recovery, regardless of what kind of treatment you’re receiving.

Common Ways Acupuncture Helps During Cancer Care

Whether you’re going through chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or healing from surgery, acupuncture can be a helpful and restorative part of your care. Here are some of the most common ways people living with cancer use acupuncture:

1. Managing Pain
   Pain can result from surgery, ongoing inflammation, or side effects of treatment. Acupuncture may help reduce pain by calming the nervous system and supporting the body’s natural pain-relief mechanisms. It’s often used alongside conventional pain medications, and in some cases, it can reduce the need for them.
2. Reducing Fatigue
   Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and challenging side effects across all types of treatment, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Acupuncture has been shown to support energy levels and help restore a sense of vitality, without overstimulating the system.
3. Easing Nausea and Digestive Upset
   While nausea is more commonly associated with chemotherapy, digestive issues can arise with many forms of treatment. Acupuncture is known to be effective for nausea and can help regulate digestion in general, especially when the gut feels “off” from medications, anxiety, or inflammation.
4. Supporting Emotional Health
   The emotional toll of cancer is real. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment, recovering from surgery, or living with ongoing scans and uncertainty, it’s common to experience anxiety, sadness, or overwhelm. Acupuncture can help calm the nervous system, ease “scanxiety,” and offer a moment of stillness and emotional grounding.
5. Improving Sleep
   Sleep disruptions are common at all stages of the cancer journey. Acupuncture can help you fall asleep more easily, sleep more deeply, and reduce the nighttime restlessness that often comes with worry or physical discomfort.
6. Helping with Nerve Problems (Peripheral Neuropathy)
   Some cancer treatments can affect the nerves, causing numbness, tingling, or burning sensations. Acupuncture has shown promise in improving circulation and nerve function, offering relief to those living with neuropathy.
7. Supporting Post-Surgical Recovery
   After cancer surgery, acupuncture can help reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness, while supporting circulation and tissue healing. It also offers emotional support as the body adjusts to post-operative changes and the long recovery process.
8. Promoting Overall Well-Being
   Beyond symptom relief, acupuncture provides a sense of calm and care. Many patients say they feel more emotionally balanced, centered, and supported after each session, an invaluable benefit during a time that often feels chaotic or uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does acupuncture hurt?
Most people are surprised at how painless it is. The needles are extremely thin, much finer than those used for shots or blood draws. Some people feel a slight sensation, like tingling or warmth, but many feel nothing at all.

What if I’m afraid of needles?
That’s very common. Acupuncture needles are not like hypodermic needles, they’re hair-thin and designed to be gentle. If you’re anxious, a skilled practitioner can explain everything beforehand and work with you at your own pace.

How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals. Some people come for one or two treatments to manage a specific side effect. Others incorporate acupuncture weekly or monthly throughout treatment and recovery. Even a few sessions can make a meaningful difference.

Can I do acupuncture while I’m getting chemo, immunotherapy, or other treatments?
In many cases, yes, but always check with your oncology team. Acupuncture is widely used alongside medical treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and newer targeted therapies, but certain timing or precautions may be recommended depending on your health status.

Why Many Cancer Centers Offer Acupuncture

Major cancer hospitals like City of Hope, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Dana-Farber now include acupuncture as part of supportive care. It doesn’t replace medical treatment, but it works in harmony with it, helping patients manage side effects, reduce stress, and improve their quality of life.

If you’re interested, ask your care team whether acupuncture might be an option for you. Some cancer centers have on-site integrative medicine programs, while others can recommend trusted practitioners in your community.

A Gentle, Supportive Option

Acupuncture is not a cure for cancer, but it can be an empowering way to feel better, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as you go through treatment and recovery. Whether you’re dealing with the aftereffects of surgery, managing long-term therapies, or simply trying to sleep better and feel more at ease, acupuncture may offer meaningful support.

If you’re curious about whether acupuncture could be part of your healing journey, talk to your oncology team. Together, you can decide what’s right for you.

A Note from Antonia

I’ve been a licensed acupuncturist since 2000 and hold advanced certification in Acupuncture and Cancer Care through Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While I’m not currently offering acupuncture treatments myself, I remain deeply passionate about integrative cancer support and the many ways therapies like acupuncture can enhance healing and quality of life.

This article is here to offer guidance and encouragement as you explore supportive, whole-person care.