A cancer diagnosis changes everything. The treatment journey — surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and the recovery that follows — is physically and emotionally demanding in ways that are difficult to describe to those who have not experienced it. At our Belmont clinic, we work alongside oncology teams to support patients through active cancer treatment and into recovery, using Chinese medicine approaches that reduce treatment side effects, support the body’s resilience, and address the fatigue, pain, and emotional burden of living with cancer.
Do These Symptoms Sound Familiar?
- ✅ Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting — often worse than expected and affecting nutrition
- ✅ Peripheral neuropathy — tingling, numbness, or pain in hands and feet from chemotherapy drugs
- ✅ Fatigue that does not resolve with rest — a hallmark of cancer treatment side effects
- ✅ Pain from surgery, the cancer itself, or treatment-related nerve damage
- ✅ Sleep disturbance — either from pain, anxiety, night sweats, or medication effects
- ✅ Mouth sores (mucositis) and altered taste affecting appetite and eating
- ✅ Anxiety, depression, or emotional distress during and after treatment
- ✅ Hot flushes and hormonal symptoms from cancer treatments that affect hormone levels
How Chinese Medicine Understands Cancer-Related Symptoms and Treatment Side Effects
Chinese medicine does not claim to treat cancer itself. What it can genuinely contribute is support for the body through the significant physical demands of cancer treatment, and quality-of-life improvement for people living with cancer or managing its long-term effects. From a Chinese medicine perspective, cancer treatments — while necessary and life-saving — place enormous strain on the body’s regulatory systems: digestion, immune function, nervous system, and the capacity to recover from cellular damage. Supporting these systems during treatment is what reduces side effect severity. Supporting them during recovery is what helps people regain energy, vitality, and function after treatment ends.
Important: We always work in collaboration with your oncology team. If you are currently in active treatment, please let us know your treatment schedule and your oncologist’s contact details so we can coordinate your care appropriately.
Your Treatment Timeline
- • Treatment scheduled around chemotherapy cycles
- • Priority on nausea, fatigue, and appetite support
- • Points and technique modified to avoid treatment-related risks
- • Focus on energy recovery and immune support
- • Addressing lingering neuropathy, pain, or hormonal symptoms
- • Supporting the transition back to normal life
- • Ongoing support for long-term cancer survivorship
- • Monitoring and addressing late effects of treatment
- • Quality of life focus for those in palliative care
Dr. Yang at Nature’s Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Clinic in Belmont is registered with AHPRA. Most private health funds cover acupuncture — check your HICAPS extras cover.
What Does the Research Show?
Journal of Clinical Oncology 2018
Acupuncture significantly reduced the severity and duration of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting across multiple RCTs
JAMA Oncology 2020
Acupuncture produced meaningful reductions in cancer-related pain compared to sham, with effects maintained at 3-month follow-up
Cancer 2021
Acupuncture significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitor therapy — a common reason for discontinuing these medications
Integrative Cancer Therapies 2022
Real acupuncture produced significantly greater improvements in fatigue scores compared to sham across breast and colorectal cancer populations
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- ✅ Tell your oncologist or cancer care team that you are receiving acupuncture — coordination of care is important
- ✅ Bring your treatment schedule — we time appointments to fit around your chemotherapy cycles
- ✅ Be honest about all medications and treatments — some require modifications to acupuncture technique
- ✅ Keep appointments even when you feel too tired — gentle treatment during low-energy periods is often when it is most needed
- ✅ Ask about what to expect — acupuncture during cancer treatment is modified differently to standard practice
Don’t
- ❌ Don’t use acupuncture as a substitute for conventional cancer treatment — it is a complement, not a replacement
- ❌ Don’t have acupuncture directly over radiation treatment areas without checking with your oncologist first
- ❌ Don’t push through severe nausea or pain waiting for the next acupuncture appointment — contact your oncology team for acute management
- ❌ Don’t add herbal medicine or supplements to your cancer treatment without guidance — many interact with chemotherapy drugs
- ❌ Don’t feel you need to justify seeking comfort care — acupuncture for quality of life during cancer is a completely valid choice
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to have acupuncture during chemotherapy?
Yes, with appropriate precautions. We check blood count results before treatment (low white cell or platelet counts require extra care), avoid needling into areas of infection or lymphoedema, and modify technique for neutropenic patients. Most people can receive treatment safely throughout their chemotherapy course.
Can acupuncture help with peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy?
Research shows acupuncture can reduce the severity of existing neuropathy and may slow its progression when started early. Early intervention during treatment generally produces better outcomes than treating established neuropathy after treatment ends.
Do you offer support for people in palliative care?
Yes — palliative and end-of-life support is something we take seriously. Acupuncture for pain, anxiety, sleep, and comfort is appropriate and gentle at any stage of the cancer journey. Home visits can be arranged in some circumstances — please enquire.
Will acupuncture interact with my chemotherapy drugs?
Acupuncture itself does not pharmacologically interact with chemotherapy. We take care with needling in areas where there may be skin sensitivity from radiation or chemotherapy, and we adjust points for specific drug protocols. We do not routinely prescribe herbal medicine during active chemotherapy without oncologist involvement.
How often should I come during treatment?
This varies significantly by treatment intensity and what we are managing. During active chemotherapy, weekly or twice-weekly sessions are common. During recovery phases, fortnightly or monthly may be sufficient. Your practitioner will advise based on your specific situation.