Supporting Cancer Patients Through Pain, Fatigue, and Emotional Distress
By David Lee, L.Ac.
A cancer diagnosis triggers intense and overwhelming changes in a person’s emotions, physical health, and daily life. It often causes immediate shock, fear, anxiety, and a profound sense of lost control. Patients commonly experience disbelief, anger, sadness, and depression. Anxiety frequently arises from concerns about treatment outcomes, loss of bodily function, and uncertainty about the future. Many patients grieve the loss of their former health, lifestyle, and sense of security. Feelings of loneliness are common, as are survivors’ guilt or concerns about becoming a burden to loved ones.
Cancer and its treatment also create significant physical challenges. Many patients experience profound and persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest. Pain may result from the disease itself or from treatments and can become chronic and debilitating. Chemotherapy and radiation often cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and changes in body image. Treatment schedules can dominate daily life, forcing major adjustments to work, school, hobbies, and social activities. Relationships with family and friends may become strained, although some patients also develop stronger emotional bonds with those around them. In addition, the financial burden of medical care and time away from work can create severe stress.
Over time, many patients develop a new perspective on life. Some discover deeper meaning, place greater value on relationships, and learn to appreciate daily experiences more fully. They adapt to a long-term reality that includes ongoing medical monitoring and lingering effects from treatment.
Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture can provide rapid and simultaneous relief for multiple symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment. Clinical experience and research have shown it to be highly effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, post-operative pain after cancer surgery, and joint pain associated with hormone therapies such as aromatase inhibitors. Acupuncture may also help relieve chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, including nerve pain, numbness, and tingling sensations.
In addition, acupuncture can significantly reduce fatigue, one of the most debilitating side effects of cancer treatment. Many patients report feeling calmer, more relaxed, and emotionally balanced after treatment, which may help improve anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances.
Case Study: Treatment Process
William, a 67-year-old patient, was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, meaning the disease had spread to distant organs and tissues especially in liver and duodenum in his case. In addition to severe anxiety, he experienced persistent abdominal pain and had lost 40 pounds over five months. He also suffered from chronic moderate-to-severe pain throughout his entire spine.
The initial Horary point treatment consisted of ST36 (earth), SI5 (fire), GB41 (wood), UB66 (water), and LI1 (metal), all needled on the left side of the body. Following the first treatment, William reported profound relief in both his mind and body. He described the sensation as comparable to receiving a deeply restorative massage. Subsequent treatments continued to reduce his pain significantly, and his overall sense of well-being improved dramatically.
After six acupuncture treatments, William began chemotherapy. The adverse effects were immediate and severe. Continued chemotherapy caused hypersensitivity reactions and life-threatening hypotension, with his blood pressure dropping to 80/40 from a normal of 120/70. He was also hospitalized for one week with sepsis, a life-threatening bacterial infection of the bloodstream.
When acupuncture treatments resumed, his recovery improved noticeably. However, continued chemotherapy later resulted in another bloodstream infection. During this period, he experienced multiple falls, falling five times within one month, and eventually required a cane for walking assistance.
Despite these complications, the same left-sided acupuncture points continued to provide meaningful relief. He no longer needed a cane. Currently, he has suspended chemotherapy and is waiting for a different medication. As a lifelong marijuana smoker, William stated that acupuncture produced an even greater sense of well-being, describing it as the “best high ever.” He reported feeling more normal physically and emotionally, which made coping with his condition and daily life significantly easier.
While the above Horary acupuncture point combination is effective for the majority of patients, some individuals respond better to an alternate set of points: UB40 (water), LI5 (metal), ST43 (earth), SI2 (fire), and GB44 (wood). Only the same one side of the body is needled. Once an effective point combination is identified, repeating the same treatment may continue to produce immediate improvement and support ongoing recovery and well-being.
