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Acupuncture for Cancer Pain

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Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer

Part of the book series: Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine ((ACAM,volume 3))

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Abstract

Cancer pain is a major challenge in healthcare and many patients report unsatisfactory pain relief. Current pain relieving strategies include the use of opioid-based analgesia, bisphosphonates and radiotherapy. Although patients experience some pain relief, these interventions may produce unacceptable side-effects which inevitably affect the quality of life. Acupuncture represents a potentially valuable adjunct to existing strategies for pain relief and it is known to be relatively free of harmful side-effects. Acupuncture is used in palliative care settings for all types of cancer pain, but the evidence-base is sparse, inconclusive and there is very little evidence to show its effectiveness in relieving cancer-related pain. The aim of this chapter is to review the biological mechanisms underpinning acupuncture as a treatment for cancer pain using a Western medical acupuncture model, discuss the clinical indications for treatment, consider acupuncture techniques and safety issues, as well as review the current evidence for clinical efficacy. Directions for future research will also be discussed.

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  1. Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Ward 12, Research Office, Skipton Road, Steeton, BD20 6TD, Keighley, West Yorkshire, UK

    Carole A. Paley

  2. Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK

    Carole A. Paley & Mark I. Johnson

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  1. Carole A. Paley
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Correspondence to Carole A. Paley .

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  1. Dept. Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

    William C.S. Cho

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Paley, C.A., Johnson, M.I. (2012). Acupuncture for Cancer Pain. In: Cho, W. (eds) Acupuncture and Moxibustion as an Evidence-based Therapy for Cancer. Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4833-0_3

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