British Journal of Medicine, Acupuncture, and Cancer Pain

The British Journal of Medicine published a great study this month titled, "Acupuncture: a treatment for breakthrough pain in cancer?". The study was a review of previously published studies to determine if acupuncture is useful for patients with cancer experiencing breakthrough pain.

The authors, based in the UK, begin with the premise that there has been very little research done about the effectiveness of acupuncture in the area of pain management for people diagnosed with cancer. Although the authors state, "...the available physiological evidence provides a convincing rationale and one which warrants research."

My personal experience working with clients diagnosed with cancer leads me to the same (albeit subjective) conclusion. Acupuncture helps decrease pain in many cancer related situations.

The abstract from the BJM goes on to state that for break through pain

"...[Acupuncture] represents a possible adjunctive treatment, and consideration should be given to administering acupuncture alongside ‘rescue’ doses of medication to ‘kick-start’ the analgesic response before the medication takes effect."

There are a variety of programs around the U.S.A. that work to combine standard cancer care with acupuncture. It is great to see the British Journal of Medicine open to the idea.