Timing Your Acupuncture Treatments to Reduce Chemotherapy Side-Effects
It is well-known that chemotherapy is an invaluable part of cancer care that saves lives. Although cancer is a reason to worry enough, the side effects caused by chemotherapy treatments are a common concern. Cancer cells tend to grow fast. Chemo drugs are designed to target and kill fast-growing cells. With traditional or standard chemotherapy, these drugs travel throughout the body to kill cancer cells, but they can’t tell the difference between fast-growing healthy cells and fast-growing cancer cells.
During chemotherapy treatment, healthy cells are damaged along the way and this causes side effects. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can be used to mitigate side effects as well as strengthen the body through the cycles of chemotherapy and support healing. It is particularly beneficial to time acupuncture treatments specifically around cycles of chemotherapy treatments. The good news concerning your cancer treatments? Think of acupuncture as an ally during your treatments, a friend that brings relaxation and optimizes healing outcomes.
Chemotherapy Cycles
Let’s break down how chemotherapy works. Every time a new cell is formed, it goes through a process to become a fully functioning, mature cell. The process involves a series of phases called the cell cycle. Chemo drugs target cells at different phases of the cell cycle. Doctors use this information along with how each drug works to plan their dosages and treatments.
Chemotherapy is given as a course of treatment because it only attacks cells in the process of splitting into two. Since all cells don’t do this at the same time, some of the cancer cells will be resting and will not be killed. Chances are the resting cells will be splitting in two during the next chemotherapy session. The rest between treatments also allows the body to recover from side effects. Normal cells may be able to repair their damage, while cancer cells cannot. Your treatment cycle depends on the type and stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy drugs you receive, and how the drug(s) are administered.
Why consider acupuncture in conjunction with your chemo regimen? Acupuncture can improve a patient’s response throughout the cyclical phases of chemotherapy. It is more than merely palliative. Certainly, patients report a decrease in acute nausea, improved appetite, and restful sleep. We did a previous blog on how acupuncture can help cancer pain specifically. But more importantly, acupuncture may allow patients to complete chemotherapy rounds and radiation cycles without interruption, which is a primary goal in integrative cancer care.
In active chemotherapy cycles, it is common for patients to experience energy fluctuations and a myriad of acute symptoms. This varies depending on the cytotoxic agent (the substance used to destroy cells), the cycle duration, and the “nadir” which is a byproduct of chemotherapeutic treatments that reflects the lowest level of blood counts following an infusion. This low point usually occurs in between chemotherapy doses after patients have endured the most acute side-effects, like nausea and vomiting. Once these resolve, energy slowly rebounds and patients report feeling more like themselves.
Therefore, acupuncture therapy that is timed according to the dosing schedule will preemptively decrease potential side-effects and help to rebuild Qi (energy) and blood during that low point. Its aim is restorative and preventative.
Another way in which acupuncture lessens injury is when treatments are performed one to two days before chemotherapy. This allows us to focus on protecting the body and strengthening its reserves, using specific acupuncture points and moxibustion, our other favorite modality.
Example of Cycle Timing (for generally healthy patients with disease in stage I-II)
Preceding Chemotherapy Infusion (1-2 days before
The focus of treatment is to boost immunity and strengthen blood (white blood cells) and alleviate emotional stress or nervousness.
Days 2-3
This is when acute side effects are commonly observed such as nausea, vomiting, low appetite, cancer-related fatigue, insomnia, night sweats, vivid dreams, constipation, abdominal pain and bloating, anxiety, fear, and worry.
Treatment focus is to boost energy, promote circulation, help the body process and eliminate toxins, and alleviate side effects.
Days 3-7 (nadir depends on chemotherapeutic agent and regimen)
This is the nadir* or time period following a chemotherapy infusion when the patient feels more normal, but blood lab values are at their lowest.
Treatment focus is on strongly boosting energy (Qi) and blood and strengthening the immune system to prevent illness or infection.
Acupuncture can provide a healing and positive protocol to your chemo regimen to not only address acute side effects but protect and restore your {mind}body from the aggressive nature of conventional medicine.
Are you currently receiving chemotherapy, about to, or know someone who is?
Contact us to book a 1:1 with one of our doctors and get a personalized integrative cancer wellness plan.
