One of the most common and bothersome side effects of hormone therapy for breast cancer is hot flashes. Hot flashes are characterized by sudden, intense feelings of heat and sweating, often disrupting daily life and sleep, making an already difficult time even harder.
Acupuncture has been used for many types of hot flashes and reduction of side effects from cancer treatment.
A recent study supports the idea that acupuncture is effective at reducing hot flashes and other side effects. In this blog post, we will delve into the study’s findings showing how acupuncture can make a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways from the Study:
- Women receiving acupuncture experienced greater relief from hot flashes compared to those who did not.
- The positive effects of acupuncture persisted even after the initial treatment period.
- In addition to reducing hot flashes, acupuncture improved overall well-being and quality of life for the participants.
- Benefits included better sleep, reduced anxiety, and an enhanced sense of calm.
- Acupuncture did not have any serious adverse effects reported
- The study included women from the United States, China, and South Korea, providing a diverse cultural perspective.
- Acupuncture can be an effective, non-drug alternative for managing hot flashes in breast cancer patients.
Overview of Acupuncture for Hot Flashes
Health is a state of balance within the body. The goal of acupuncture is to promote the body’s natural healing processes and restore balance.
When it comes to hot flashes, it is useful to understand the balance of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are two opposing but complementary forces. Yin represents qualities such as coolness, rest, and nourishment, while yang represents heat, activity, and stimulation.
When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to many health issues. For example, an excess of yang and too little of yin can cause symptoms such as dryness and feeling hot. This is often the root of hot flashes.
Acupuncture aims to restore the balance of yin and yang, particularly in managing hot flashes.
Acupuncture points are selected specifically to target the underlying imbalances causing your hot flashes. The treatment goal is to calm the excessive yang as well as nourishing the deficient yin.
Study Shows Acupuncture Reduces Hot Flashes and Improves Quality of Life
This large study was conducted across three countries including the United States, China, and South Korea.
A total of 158 women participated in the study, which included two groups:
Immediate Acupuncture Group: Participants received 20 acupuncture sessions over 10 weeks.
Delayed Acupuncture Control Group: Participants received usual care for the first 10 weeks and then received 10 acupuncture sessions over the next 10 weeks.
The acupuncture protocol used was standardized across all three countries, ensuring consistency in the treatment administered.
Acupuncture Points for Hot Flashes
Core Points: SP-6, LI-11, Yintang, GV-20, Shenmen (ear).
Optional Points: LR3, ST36, K3, PC7, CV6, Heart (ear).
After the initial session, electroacupuncture was used at Yintang and GV‐20
Results
Women in the immediate acupuncture group experienced a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of hot flashes compared to those in the delayed acupuncture group. Participants who received immediate acupuncture showed marked improvements in their overall quality of life. The positive effects of acupuncture persisted beyond the initial treatment period. Even after the 10-week acupuncture sessions ended, participants who received acupuncture continued to experience relief from hot flashes.
The Treatment Process
For those readers who are new to acupuncture, I will explain how the process works.
During your initial acupuncture session, we will discuss your overall health, medical history, and do an examination including looking at your tongue and checking the pulses. This helps us determine the underlying imbalance causing the condition and create a specific treatment customized to you.
For hot flashes, common points might include those on the arms, legs, and abdomen. The treatment lasts about 20-30 minutes and most patients feel very relaxed from the therapy.
Over a series of treatments, the cumulative effect of acupuncture can lead to significant relief from hot flashes.
Feel Cooler, Get Acupuncture
As an acupuncturist, these results are particularly gratifying. It supports what we have seen with our patients for years- acupuncture is not only effective for hot flashes but it also helps patients overall feel better. And it is safe.
Moving forward, it is important to continue researching and expanding our understanding of acupuncture’s benefits in order to help solidify acupuncture’s role in comprehensive cancer care, offering patients a holistic, patient-centered approach to managing their symptoms and enhancing their quality of life.
Please call us at 212.319.5757 to make your appointment or you can schedule your appointment online.
References
Lu, W., Giobbie-Hurder, A., Tanasijevic, A., Baedorf Kassis, S., Park, S. H., Jeong, Y. J., Shin, I. H., Yao, C., Bao, C., Yang, E., Bierer, B. E., & Ligibel, J. A. (2024).
