Overview

• Acupuncture applies needles, heat, pressure, and other treatments to one or more places on the skin known as acupuncture points (see Question 1).

• Acupuncture has been used in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years as part of traditional Chinese medicine (see Question 2).

• Acupuncture has been used in the United States for about 200 years (see Question 2).

• Acupuncture is used to treat many illnesses and ailments and in cancer patients is usually used to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. (see Question 2).

• There is strong evidence from clinical trials that acupuncture relieves nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy (see Question 7).

• Acupuncture may work by causing physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain (see Question 4).

• Laboratory and animal studies of acupuncture for cancer treatment suggest acupuncture can reduce vomiting caused by chemotherapy and may help a person's immune system work better (see Question 6).

• Most acupuncture research with cancer patients studies the use of acupuncture to relieve symptoms caused by cancer treatment (see Question 7).

• It is important that acupuncture treatment be given by a qualified practitioner who uses a new set of disposable (single-use) needles for each patient (see Question 8 ).