Acupuncture

Relatively painless, acupuncture can be used to reduce the side effects and maximize the body’s response to traditional prostate cancer treatment, while relieving pain and symptoms associated with the disease. Emily Moore, ND, LAc , a licensed acupuncturist and naturopathic physician at Goshen Center for Cancer Care, develops specific acupuncture treatment plans after completing an assessment of body function and
current symptoms.

Acupuncture Defined

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine, which is a complex and sophisticated approach to healing. It has been developed over a period of more than 3,000 years and is based on ancient Chinese medical texts and clinical observation, as well as modern empirical research. Principles of Chinese medicine are based on the fundamental concept that the physical, spiritual and emotional person are connected in their function, and that a network of energy, called Qi, flows through all aspects of the body in channels called “meridians.” Chinese medicine is, thus, holistic in its nature and focuses on the individual patient, rather than disease.

Although Chinese medicine explains acupuncture based on energy channels in the body, Western medicine has researched the physiological effects of acupuncture. Over the past two decades, the popularity of acupuncture has grown significantly within the United States as an accepted and proven complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment method.

How It Works

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, stainless steel needles on the surface of the skin to various depths at strategic points along the Qi meridians. Most of these channels are named for a physical organ to which it is correlated, though some are named for specific tissues, areas and functions of the body, as well as certain emotions, colors, tastes and smells. Stimulation of these points with the needles can unblock energy that is “stuck,” or bring energy into areas that are lacking energy, thus assisting the body to move back into balance. In addition to needles, various other methods used to stimulate acupuncture points include electricity, heat, massage and suction created by special cups.

Effectiveness For Prostate Cancer

The National Institutes of Health has done significant research on the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of cancer, indicating it can reduce pain and help with chemotherapy-induced nausea. Findings from basic research have implied several theories as to why acupuncture works. These include the release of opioids in the central nervous system and changes in neuroendocrine function. Changes in blood flow, blood pressure, brain chemistry and immune system have also been observed.