By Dr. Alicia Masiulis, DACCHM, L.Ac., FABORM
Acupuncture is a powerful tool to help offset the side effects of cancer and its treatments. There is more research than ever before behind the scientific mechanisms of how acupuncture can help and many cancer centers around the world now integrate acupuncture into their healthcare models. Some of the most common cancer-related side effects that acupuncture can help relieve include: peripheral neuropathy, pain, nausea, stress, anxiety, sleep issues, hot flashes, and fatigue.
Acupuncture for Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy—a condition that often causes pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet—is a common side effect of many life-saving chemotherapy drugs. Acupuncture has been shown to improve nerve signaling and reduce these uncomfortable symptoms. A 2025 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship found that patients receiving acupuncture experienced significantly greater improvement in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) compared to those who received standard care alone (Zhao, Y., 2025).
Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Pain
Research shows that acupuncture can be an effective tool for managing cancer-related pain—while also helping patients reduce reliance on medications such as opioids and their potential side effects. A 2020 literature review published in JAMA Oncology confirmed its benefits across a range of pain conditions (He, 2020). A 2023 study found acupuncture particularly effective for joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors, a common treatment in breast cancer care (Mao, 2023).
Acupuncture for Stress and Anxiety
The emotional toll of cancer doesn’t end when treatment does—stress, anxiety, and sleep issues are common challenges for survivors. Both the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommend acupuncture as a supportive therapy, particularly for breast cancer patients experiencing post-treatment anxiety. Research suggests acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, promoting balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic responses. A 2025 study even found acupuncture to be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy in easing breast cancer–related anxiety and insomnia (Kwag, 2025).
Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Related Nausea
While anti-nausea medications are a standard part of cancer care, they don’t always fully relieve the intense nausea that many patients experience during chemotherapy. Acupuncture has been shown to offer meaningful support in reducing nausea and vomiting. In fact, a 2015 study on gynecological cancers found that even stimulating a single acupuncture point provided significant relief (Rithirangsriroj, 2015). Research suggests this benefit comes from acupuncture’s ability to trigger the release of pituitary endorphins and adrenal corticosteroids—natural substances that help calm the area in the brain responsible for initiating vomiting.
Acupuncture for Sleep Issues
Breast cancer and gynecological cancer patients are prone to sleep problems as a result of hormonal suppressant medications that are commonly used in treatment. Sleep medications often have side effects or are not enough on their own to induce quality sleep. Acupuncture offers a gentle, effective alternative—either on its own or alongside medication. Research has shown that acupuncture can improve sleep quality in multiple ways: shortening the time it takes to fall asleep, increasing total sleep duration, enhancing sleep efficiency, and easing related issues such as anxiety and depression (Zhang, 2023). The most significant finding of the research is that acupuncture patients had a much higher rate of discontinuing sleep medications than control groups or sham acupuncture (acupuncture not done on known acupuncture points), highlighting its role as a sustainable support for long-term sleep health.
Dr. Alicia Masiulis, DACCHM, L.Ac., FABORM has advanced training in using acupuncture and herbal medicine to support cancer treatment in conjunction with conventional oncology. Schedule an appointment online or call our office at (650) 485-2758 for a 10-minute complimentary consultation to see how acupuncture may help you.
References:
He, Y., Guo, X., May, B. H., Zhang, A. L., Liu, Y., Lu, C., … & Zhang, H. (2020). Clinical evidence for association of acupuncture and acupressure with improved cancer pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA oncology, 6(2), 271-278.
Kwag, E., Li, X., Garland, S., Bryl, K., Taylor, L., Qing, S. L., … & McConnell, K. M. (2025). Acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety among cancer survivors with insomnia: An exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Integrative Medicine Research, 101213.
Mao, J. J., Greenlee, H., Bao, T., Ismaila, N., & Bruera, E. (2023). Integrative medicine for pain management in oncology: society for integrative oncology-ASCO guideline summary and Q&A. JCO Oncology Practice, 19(1), 45-48.
Rithirangsriroj, K., Manchana, T., & Akkayagorn, L. (2015). Efficacy of acupuncture in prevention of delayed chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in gynecologic cancer patients. Gynecologic Oncology, 136(1), 82-86.
Zhang, J., Qin, Z., So, T. H., Chang, T. Y., Yang, S., Chen, H., … & Zhang, Z. J. (2023). Acupuncture for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients: an assessor-participant blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Breast Cancer Research, 25(1), 49.
Zhao, Y., Cao, W., Zhang, H., Rong, Q., He, M., Wu, M., … & Yang, P. (2025). The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 1-13.
