Are there any risks to having acupuncture to help mitigate side effects of medications?

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DrLisaSchwartz (Physician - Oncology - Radiation (Verified) ) - 05 / 18 / 2012

Acupuncture can be considered very safe when delivered by a well-trained practitioner. Expected side effects of acupuncture could include discomfort during needle insertion or manipulation, minor bruising, and tiny amounts of blood at the needle insertion site (really tiny). There are some treatments in Chinese Medicine that can cause more bruising (cupping or gua sha) and bleeding (there is a procedure called bleeding for which that is the goal of therapy). The degree of discomfort one might feel during needle insertion and manipulation is dependent on the practitioner and the patient. Acupuncturists feel for a da qi sensation when inserting a needle and some patients may find this uncomfortable. Always inform the acupuncturist if you are experiencing any discomfort.

Acupuncture can help with the side effects of cancer medications. We have good clinical trials to support using it for nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, and peripheral neuropathy to name a few.
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