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Acupuncture
Also Known As:
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Acupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture
Summary:

Acupuncture is an ancient system of healing from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and involves the stimulation of special points on the body, known as acupuncture points, for therapeutic or preventive purposes. It centres on the belief that energy flows through the body along channels and that energy flow, known as Qi (pronounced chi), can be disturbed by many factors. By inserting fine, sterile, disposable acupuncture needles into the channels of energy, or specific points located on body, acupuncturists aim to stimulate the body’s response and help to restore the flow so it moves in a smooth and balanced way. Acupuncture can influence the body via the nervous system to help restore balance, improve the function of the body and relieve symptoms.

Description:

First session begins with a consultation and a discussion of your medical history. TCM acupuncturists may also look at your tongue and take your pulse to help to decide which meridians to work on and where to place the needles. The remaining time is spent having the acupuncture treatment itself. The acupuncturist will insert up to 12 fine acupuncture needles into appropriate acupuncture points on the body. The needles used are extremely small and fine, very different from needles used for injections.

These will usually stay in for at least 20 minutes while you rest. The experience can leave you feeling more grounded, refreshed, and relaxed. Acupuncture can be helpful with the relief of symptoms and side effects at any stage of cancer and its treatments and is usually given in a course of 3-6 treatments, according to the needs of the individual. Each session lasts for up to one hour.

History:

Traditional acupuncture is a branch of TCM, a tried and tested healthcare system that has been practised for thousands of years in China and the Far East. All styles of acupuncture currently practised around the world trace their roots back to the first known book of Chinese Medicine, the Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor, which dates back to between the first century BC and the first century AD. In China during the early part of the twentieth century traditional medicine fell out of fashion as symptomatic healthcare treatments were imported from the West along with other cultural influences. Calls by Western trained doctors to ban traditional Chinese medicine were rejected by the National Medical Assembly in Shanghai on 17 March 1929. This day is still celebrated every year as Chinese Doctors Day.

Traditional Chinese medicine remained in the shadow of Western medicine until the Long March of 1934-5. Without drugs, anaesthetics or surgery, vast numbers of sick and wounded soldiers faced death until doctors of traditional Chinese medicine achieved amazing results using acupuncture and other traditional methods of treatment. From this point on, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine were practised side by side in China. Under the People’s Republic of China, established in 1948, all branches of TCM were nurtured and encouraged to grow. By 1978, whole hospitals and research departments were devoted to the practice of TCM. Today traditional acupuncture is practised all around the world and clinical trials are now confirming its efficacy. More and more people are able to benefit as traditional acupuncture becomes a recognised option within standard healthcare.

Notes:

Acupuncture is available in some parts of the UK from the NHS; your GP should have information about this. All individual acupuncturists in the Yes to Life directory are based within the UK and have been specially selected by Yes to Life on the basis of their suitability. They are all working within one of the many specialist cancer support units. All are fully qualified and insured and are required to have a minimum of 2 years experience of working with and supporting cancer patients and their relatives, although in most cases they have been working in the field for much longer than that.

If you are contacting one of the clinics on the directory, please check that your acupuncturist is fully qualified, is a member of a recognised professional body which represents their therapy and that they have public liability insurance. Several studies have found that acupuncture can reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting and can also effectively reduce certain types of pain, particularly lower back pain as recommended by NICE. The evidence for acupuncture’s role in cancer-related pain reduction is promising but inconclusive, although in some cases acupuncture has enabled patients to reduce levels of pain medication required. It may also help to relieve some of the other possible side effects of cancer treatments such as fatigue, breathlessness, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, anxiety, hot flushes and night sweats, although research is inconclusive and more high quality research is needed.

Useful videos:

Views from cancer survivors and healthcare professionals on acupuncture (1:47 mins)

Views on how acupuncture can support cancer survivors living with lymphoedema (2:39 mins)

Acupuncture for World Cancer Day (3:55 mins)

Costs:

£40 – 80. Some clinics offer an initial package of up to eight free/ low cost sessions. Further private session range from £40 to 80 for initial consultation, further sessions £30 to 70.

 

CancerChoices

For more research and science on Acupuncture, visit CancerChoices



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Practitioners
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Damián Allegretti
Damián Allegretti is licensed Acupuncture & Herbalist, a nutritional therapist and a Chinese Medicine practitioner, successfully blending Western science with Eastern wisdom ...
Dr Hartmut Baltin
Aschau, Germany

Dr. Hartmut Baltin uses naturopathic and holistic healing methods to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, autoimmune and other chronic diseases. ...
Nadia Brydon
Wales UK

Nadia is passionate about supporting and guiding plant-based therapeutic nutritional changes and teaching how to live closer to the laws of nature believing that nature is our greatest healer and teacher ...
Altair de Almeida
Worcester, UK - England (Midlands)

Altair de Almeida has been training in Holistic Medicine since 1975 including Feng Sui, Meditation, Nutrition and Spiritual Healing ...
Beverley de Valois
Beverley de Valois PhD LicAc is one of the foremost authorities in using acupuncture to help people recover after cancer treatment ...
Dr Damien Downing
Dr Damien Downing MBBS, MRSB practises Ecological Medicine, allergy (or immune dysfunction), the identification and treatment of damaged or disordered immunity ...
Dr Michael Evans
Stroud, UK

Dr Michael Evans is an Anthroposophic Medical Doctor and was a co-founder of an NHS GP based at St Luke’s Medical Centre Stroud ...
Vicky Fox
Vicky Fox teaches weekly yoga for cancer classes and training courses to help other yoga teachers work with anyone living with cancer ...
Dr Andrew David Greenland
Twickenham, England

Dr Andrew Greenland is a fully qualified medical doctor, and specialist in Integrated Medicine, Functional Medicine, Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine and the Bredesen Protocol ...
Dr Julia Hartung
Düsseldorf, Germany

Medical Doctor Julia Hartung is a specialist in internal medicine, specialising in haematology and internal oncology, with a focus on traditional Chinese medicine ...
Dr Sosie Kassab
London, UK - England (South East)

Dr Sosie Kassab specialises in homeopathy, acupuncture and Iscador (a mistletoe preparation); therapies used to help with symptom relief, side effects of conventional cancer treatments and quality of life. ...
Steve Kippax
London, UK

Steve Kippax practices The Four Pillars of Health which will allow us to support and maintain our wellbeing, and when disease occurs, will hasten a speedy recovery ...
Dr Asir Kopic
Stuttgart, Germany

Dr Kopic’s private oncology clinic in Stuttgart offers a personalised approach using therapeutic strategies based on detailed molecular profiling of individual tumours ...
Dr Ray Lendvai
Vernon, Canada

Dr Lendvai practices Naturopathic Medicine, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Nutritional and Lifestyle Counselling and Chelation and IV Therapy ...
Emma Marshall
Emma Marshall is a registered Nutritional Therapist and Certified Oncology Nutrition Consultant, as well as an experienced chef who specialises in working with breast cancer patients ...
Dr Thomas Marshall-Manifold
Wimbledon, UK - England (South East)

Dr Thomas Marshall-Manifold practises complementary medicine after having studied for and achieved numerous qualifications in the field of natural health, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbal and complex homeopathic medicine ...
Henry McGrath
Bristol, UK

Henry McGrath specialises in working with people who have serious chronic diseases, such as cancer ...
Dr Martin Milner
Portland, United States

Dr Martin Milner is the CEO and Medical Director of the Center for Natural Medicine a naturopathic healthcare facility ...
Dr Sally Moorcroft
Dr Sally Moorcroft is one of the most highly trained Integrative and Functional Medicine doctors in the UK and the co-founder of the Northern Centre of Integrative and Functional Medicine (NCIFM) ...
Debra Quin
Leeds, UK

Debra Quin is an experienced Hypnotherapist assisting patients in developing strategies to cope better with the inevitable fear and anxiety created by a cancer diagnosis ...
Dr ND Rod Santos
Burnaby, Canada

Dr Rod Santos ND practices Naturopathic medicine to provide quality modern naturopathic medical care ...
Edna Batschewa Schur
Switzerland

Edna Schur, with her experience in Functional Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Genetics, Epigenetics and Psychosomatic Work, strives to improve overall wellbeing and health ...
Lisa Steele
Lisa Steele is anaccredited counsellor and Chief Executive of Chai Cancer Care ...
Dr Christine Suppelt
Maidstone, UK

Dr Christine Suppelt is a Homeopathic Physician, Medical Acupuncturist and Ophthalmic Surgeon offering Integrated Medicine in Maidstone, Kent ...
Clinics
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A New Leaf Naturopathic
Canada

A New Leaf offers Naturopathic Treatmentswith naturopathic doctors that are trained to provide primary and integrative medicine to patients ...
AcuMedic Clinic
London, UK - England (South East)

The oldest and largest Chinese Medical Clinic in the UK. Established in 1972, AcuMedic has treated over 50,000 people using Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. ...
Arcadia Health Centre (The)
Arcadia, Australia

Established in 1961, the Arcadia Health Centre provides a beautiful setting for unique and personal care. Procedures include fasting, diet, activity, ...
BASIC (Brain and Spinal Injury Centre)
Salford, UK

Since its inception in 1994, BASIC has been providing counselling, information and support services for patients and their families following a brain or spinal injury. ...
Blackheath Complementary Health Centre
London, UK - England (South East)

Blackheath Complementary Health Centre is a multi-disciplinary practice providing complementary and alternative approaches to health care ...
Bracken Trust Cancer Support Centre (The)
Llandrindod Wells, UK - Wales

The Bracken Trust supports those who are coping with cancer, their families and the bereaved. They are about empowering people to live with, through and beyond cancer. ...
COPES Gynae Cancer Support
Essex, UK

COPES support group was launched for patients affected by gynaecological cancers where free complimentary therapies are provided. ...
CYANA (Cancer You Are Not Alone)
London, UK

CYANA provides cancer support for the residents of Newham and surrounding boroughs. Qualified and experienced Counsellors offer one-to-one, couple and facilitated group support sessions and telephone counselling or advice. ...
Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil, UK

Cancer Aid Merthyr Tydfil Ltd is a registered charity that provides a free service to those whose lives have been touched by cancer living within the Merthyr Tydfil Borough. ...
Cancer Support Centre Sutton Coldfield (The)
Birmingham, UK

The Cancer Support Centre Sutton Coldfield work alongside the local health services, hospices and other cancer charities for people affected by cancer and their carers, in Birmingham and the West Midlands ...
Cancer Wise
Chichester, UK - England (South East)

CancerWise is a registered charity offering support and information to anyone concerned about cancer in the Chichester area. ...
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care
Barnet, UK

Cherry Lodge Cancer Care is an independent charity committed to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer, their carers and families. ...
Clinic for Integrated & Anthroposophic Medicine
Bransford, UK

The Clinic for Integrated and Anthroposophic Medicine is one of the clinics within The Fold Natural Therapy Centre. Dr Elsner, a medically qualified ...
Coping With Cancer North East
Annitsford, Cramlington, UK

Founded as a support group, Coping With Cancer North East exists to offer emotional support, practical help and information to those in the region with cancer, together with their friends and family. ...
Coping with Cancer in Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicester, UK

Coping with Cancer has a team of therapists who are experienced in treating those affected by cancer ...
Da Vinci Natural Health Center
Larnaca, Cyprus

Dr Georgiou, or Dr George as he is often known, is the Founder and Director of the Da Vinci Holistic Health Centre in Larnaca, Cyprus which specialises in Holistic Medicine ...
Five Seasons Health
Scottsdale, United States

Five Seasons Health offers a wide variety of services provided by Robert Ellsworth NMD and Jeffrey Lee NMD, Serena Clark LPN, and Valerie Hall LMT, as well as Kathleen Northrop RN. ...
Fountain Centre (The)
Guildford, UK - England (South East)

The Fountain Centre works in partnership with the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and their aim is to complement the medical treatment provided. The centre is fully equipped with treatment and counselling rooms. ...
GlosO2Therapy
Gloucester , United Kingdom

GlosO2Therapy is a Gloucestershire based clinic offering Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, acupuncture and massage. The clinic is primarily focused on supporting patients with Multiple Sclerosis and neurological problems but also supports cancer patients. ...
Holistic Centre (The)
Godalming, UK - England (South East)

A requirement of the Holistic Centre is that all therapists are fully qualified members of their appropriate Professional Body and that they all hold Public Liability Insurance. ...
Holistic Medical Clinic
London, UK - England (South East)

The Holistic Medical Clinic is a privately run clinic run by Dr John Moran for over 30 years ...
Hospice of St Francis (The)
Berkhamsted, UK

The Hospice of St Francis strongly believes that complementary therapies can work together with medical and nursing care to improve a patient’s well-being, reduce anxiety and to help cope with their illness. ...
Lemmo Integrated Cancer Care Centre
Vancouver, Canada

Dr. Walter Lemmo is founder and Medical Director of LEMMO Integrated Cancer Care, a naturopathic facility focused exclusively in cancer care ...
Liberty Clinic
Toronto, Canada

Liberty Clinic is a health and naturopathic clinic in Toronto, focusing a part of their practice in naturopathic adjunctive cancer treatment ...
Lococo Wellness Clinic
Hannon, Canada

The Lococo Wellness Clinic uses naturopathic medicine to treat the root cause of diseases ...
MS Action
Walthamstow, London, UK - England (South East)

MS Action Limited is a Registered Charity that offer complementary therapies upon application ...
Main Street Naturopathic Clinic
Moose Jaw, Canada

Main Street Naturopathic Clinic team we look through the symptoms to find the root cause and then create a personalised treatment plan that will be manageable for you and your lifestyle ...
Meditrine Naturopathic Medical Clinic
Langley, Canada

Meditrine Naturopathic Medical Clinic provides naturopathic care for the entire family with a focus in women’s health ...
Miami Beach Comprehensive Wellness Center
Miami Beach, USA

Miami Beach Comprehensive Wellness Center utilises a customised, patient-focused approach, and digs deep into the root causes of symptoms ...
NHS Centre for Integrative Care Gartnavel Hospitals Glasgow
Glasgow, UK - Scotland

The Centre, on the Gartnavel Hospitals site, offers people with long term conditions a wide range of opportunities to enhance their health and quality of life ...
Napiers Herbal Medicine Clinics
Napiers the Herbalists provides original herbal remedies, natural therapeutic skincare, botanical beauty and herbal food supplements and teas, an operates four herbal medicine clinics ...
Nardella Clinic
Calgary, Canada

The Nardella Clinic is a Naturopathic Health Clinic in Calgary Alberta, providing Naturopathic Integrative Cancer Care for the assessment and treatment of cancer by using both natural and conventional medicine ...
New Hope Unlimited
Phoenix, United States

The New Hope Unlimited cancer treatment protocols include building the immune system, implementing anti-tumour protocols and detoxification and focusing on restoring the powerful immune system ...
Nimaya Mindstation
London, UK

Nimaya Mindstation claims to be London’s first dedicated gym for the mind and offers a wide range of treatments aimed at improving and enhancing your mind and body ...
Obitsu Sankei Clinic and Hospital
Japan

Ryoichi Obitsu opened the Obitsu Sankeijuku Clinic, a base for integrative medicine, and wrote over 100 books ...
Optimum Health Centre
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Optimum Health Centre was established in 1987 and offers a wholistic natural approach to restoring and promoting health, utilising minimally invasive procedures and nontoxic agents ...
Optimum Wellness Integrated Clinic
Edmonton, Canada

The Optimum Wellness Clinic team integrates non-conventional treatments with established evidence for safety and efficacy, alongside conventional treatments to improve patient outcomes ...
Painease Naturopathic Clinic
Milton, Canada

Painease Naturopathic Clinic operates a cancer care system based on the importance of patients receiving the very best in supportive and integrative cancer care ...
Poliknika Holistera
Zagreb, Croatia

The Holistera Polyclinic takes a holistic approach to patient treatment, focusing on improving the immune system and restoring balance to the body ...
Positive IV
UK

Positive IV is a medical clinic providing IV therapy and integrative care services offering a full range of functional medicine to support your health and wellbeing ...
Richmond Alternative Medical Clinic
Richmond, Canada

The Richmond Alternative Medical Clinic is run by Dr Martin Kwok, ND, MSAOM, RAC. Dr Kwok established the clinic in 1997 ...
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, United States

Roswell Park helps set international standards in cancer care through its role as a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network ...
St Albert Naturopathic Clinic
St Albert, Canada

St Albert Naturopathic Clinic offers Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies to inspire health and healing through individualised holistic care ...
Stram Center for Integrative Medicine
The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine offers an array of healing-oriented services combining the best of western scientific medicine with the wisdom of complementary practices ...
The Chiltern Clinic
Loudwater, UK - England (South East)

The Chiltern Clinic is an independent provider of complementary therapies and health related services based in Loudwater, High Wycombe ...
The Holistic Cancer Centre at Wirral Holistic Care Services
Claughton, UK

The Holistic Cancer Centre at Wirral Holistic Care Services is a nurse-Led therapeutic cancer support centre for people who have a cancer diagnosis ...
The Natural Practice
Dr David Owen, founder of The Natural Practice, provides alternative medicine in a variety of therapies via twelve alternative medical practitioners ...
Urban Wellness Group
Portland, USA

Urban Wellness Group is an integrative medical clinic focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease ...
Vital Health Naturopathic Clinic
Alberta, Canada

Vital Health Naturopathic Clinic provides a broad range of natural services including allergy testing, acupuncture, IV therapy and herbal medicine ...
Information & Advice
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Cancer Information and Support Society (CISS)
St Leonards, Global (ie: web based)

CISS promotes non-toxic holistic medicine. The educational organisation promotes prevention, self-help and freedom of choice in therapies for cancer...
Cancer Options Ltd
Nottingham, Global (ie: web based)

Led by Patricia Peat, an experienced oncology nurse, Cancer Options offers support and information on orthodox treatments, clinical trials and developments worldwide. ...
Canhelp Inc
Livingstone, United States

CANHELP serves patients and/or family members who wish to take an active part in the healing process and are willing to think outside the conventional medical box. ...
Yes to Life
London, UK - England (South East)

Yes to Life is a charity that offers support to people with cancer in the UK who want to take a proactive role in their treatment ...
Organisations
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Associazione Ricerca di Terapie Oncologiche Integrate
Rome, Italy

The ARTOI is a non-profit and multidisciplinary professional organisation that studies, researches and applies treatments for cancer ...
Brightwell
Bristol, UK

The Brightwell offers Oxygen Therapy, counselling, reflexology and acupuncture ...
Cavendish Cancer Care
Sheffield, UK

Cavendish Cancer Care are an independent charity which was established in 1991, and gives free emotional support and complementary therapies to families affected by cancer in Yorkshire and Derbyshire. ...
Chai Cancer Care
Chai Cancer Care is the Jewish community’s national cancer support organisation, enabling patients, family and friends to manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis. ...
Liverpool Sunflowers
Liverpool, UK

Liverpool Sunflowers is a charity providing support to local people following a diagnosis of cancer or other life changing illness ...
Munro Health Co-Operative Ltd (The)
London, UK

The Munro Health Co-Operative Ltd is dedicated to the provision of complementary health care to people who would normally not be able to afford them ...
Penny Brohn UK
Bristol, UK

Penny Brohn UK is the cancer health and wellbeing charity with a wide array of services free and online ...
Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre (The)
Tunbridge Wells, UK - England (South East)

The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre provides complementary therapies, such as reflexology, reiki, healing and massage, along with nutritional advice, yoga and counselling, free of charge ...
Purple House Cancer Support
Bray, Ireland

Purple House Cancer Support is a registered charity providing all services for free and supports families affected by cancer nationwide in Ireland ...
Rotherham Cancer Care Centre
Rotherham, UK

Rotherham Cancer Care Centre services are free and there is no need for an NHS referral ...
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
London, UK

The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) is a centre for evidence-based practice, education and research, specialising in chronic and complex medical conditions. ...
Royal Marsden (The)
Sutton, UK

The complementary therapy team working at The Royal Marsden Hospital are experienced in working with patients undergoing cancer treatment ...
Sadie Centre (The)
Letchworth, UK

The Sadie Centre (formerly known as The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living) represents a holistic approach to life, about health promotion and illness prevention ...
Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice and Community Services
UK

Sue Ryder provides Day Service treatment across Berkshire in Newbury and Wokingham, where they support patients with practical advice, useful services and complementary therapies ...
Thames Hospice
Windsor, UK - England (South East)

Thames Hospice is an independent charity, offering free counselling and complimentary therapies for cancer patients ...
The Sara Lee Trust
The Sara Lee Trust supports people in Hastings and Rother who have been diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening illnesses by providing free counselling, complementary therapies and group activities ...
Together Against Cancer
UK

Together Against Cancer provides a range of free cancer support services, including complementary therapies ...
Suppliers
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Woodland Herbs
Glasgow, Scotland

Woodland Herbs have over 100 dried herbs available to buy for UK delivery. Their range of dried herbs and dried herb mixes are sourced from UK medicinal herb suppliers ...