Acupuncture is slowly being integrated into Western medicine practices, with many GP's and other medical professionals learning this fine art.  In some countries (e.g. Germany, Israel and USA) Acupuncturists work alongside the Oncologists & their teams to provide a wonderfully inclusive support system for their patients. 

If you are going through or have had your life touched by Cancer, Acupuncture could be the supportive therapy you have been looking for.   What's great about Acupuncture is that it can be individually tailored to treat each person depending on their needs. 

Speak to your GP or Oncology team about Acupuncture.  Or feel free to call or email Karen at Copper Woman to discuss how Acupuncture can help you.

What are the benefits of Acupuncture For Oncology Support?

Studies are showing that Acupuncture can be combined with usual Western oncology care to support many of the side effects of the chemotherapy drugs & radiotherapy treatment.

The Society for Integrative Oncology* guidelines give Acupuncture a Grade B (showing a net benefit) for the treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea & Vomiting and a Grade C (a moderate benefit) for Pain Reduction, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue and Hot Flashes.

Another study** showed that when you combine Acupuncture alongside Western pain medications, together they have a greater effect than drug therapy alone. In the study the pain was shown to reduce quicker and the pain relief lasted longer.  

* https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5892208/

** https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4764722

What to expect during your appointment:

Your session involves a consultation and then a treatment plan is tailored to your needs.

Your pulses may be taken and your tongue may be looked at (best not to brush your tongue when you clean your teeth, it provides clues to your health).

Acupuncture needles are then inserted in your body, if you are going through cancer treatment the needles are left in place for up to 20 minutes.

To get the maximum benefit, a course of weekly Acupuncture treatments is suggested especially if undergoing oncology treatment.  As ever individual results may vary.

Acupuncture is a complementary treatment to and not a substitute for Western Oncology Treatment.

On the whole Acupuncture is a very safe therapy, however I do need to draw your attention to the potential side effects and risks associated with Acupuncture - see Cautions & Contraindications. 

For your Information: Karen has been granted a license to practice Acupuncture by the City of Edinburgh Council. This means that the premises have been inspected by both Environmental Health and Public Health, police checks have been done and the necessary documentation (qualifications, insurance) are all up to date.