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Acupuncture practice, past and present: is it safe and effective?
1Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Kernan Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21207, USA. llao@compmed.umm.edu
Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology
|June 2, 2006
Summary
Acupuncture is generally safe for cancer patients when performed by trained professionals using sterile needles. It effectively manages cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Oncology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Acupuncture is a common complementary therapy used in cancer care.
- Its application focuses on managing cancer symptoms and side effects from conventional treatments.
- Patient and physician concerns regarding the safety of acupuncture practice persist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of acupuncture in cancer patients.
- To address concerns surrounding acupuncture practice in oncology.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of existing literature was conducted.
- Analysis included studies on acupuncture's use for symptom management in cancer patients.
Main Results:
- Acupuncture performed by trained practitioners with clean needle techniques is generally safe.
- Evidence suggests acupuncture can be successfully used for symptom management in cancer patients.
Conclusions:
- Acupuncture is a safe and effective complementary therapy for cancer symptom management.
- Further basic science research and well-designed randomized clinical trials are essential for objective evaluation and understanding of acupuncture's mechanisms in cancer care.