Supportive care · Dunedin, FL
Acupuncture for cancer symptom support
For people going through cancer treatment, acupuncture can help ease difficult symptoms and side effects — like nausea, pain, fatigue and hot flashes — so you can feel more comfortable. It is supportive, complementary care that works alongside your oncology team, never in place of it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gene Healy, AP, DOM · Updated May 2026
Important: Acupuncture does not treat or cure cancer. It is used only to help relieve symptoms and the side effects of cancer and its treatment. Always continue care with your oncologist, and tell both your oncologist and your acupuncture provider about all treatments you are receiving.
How it may help
Symptoms acupuncture is used to support
According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, acupuncture is mainly used to help control cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, including:
Acupuncture is used as an addition to conventional (standard) cancer therapy. Source: U.S. National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov).
What the research shows
The U.S. National Institutes of Health began formally evaluating acupuncture as a complementary therapy in 1997. The evidence varies by symptom, and we think it's important to be honest about that:
Nausea and vomiting (strongest evidence)
The strongest evidence is for relieving nausea and vomiting. Multiple clinical trials have found that acupuncture and acupressure can reduce chemotherapy-, surgery- and radiation-related nausea and vomiting, and may reduce the amount of anti-nausea medication needed. It appears more effective at preventing vomiting than at reducing nausea.
Pain
Some studies have found acupuncture reduced pain in certain cancer patients, with some able to lower their pain-medication doses. The National Cancer Institute notes these findings are not considered strong due to differences in study design and size, and that more rigorous research is needed.
Aromatase-inhibitor joint pain
A randomized study found true acupuncture was more effective than sham (inactive) acupuncture for the joint pain and stiffness that aromatase inhibitors can cause in women with hormone-dependent breast cancer.
Hot flashes, fatigue and dry mouth
Studies suggest acupuncture may help relieve hormone-therapy hot flashes in breast and prostate cancer patients, reduce cancer-related fatigue, and improve dry mouth (xerostomia) and saliva flow after radiation for head, neck and nasopharyngeal cancers.
All research summaries above are drawn from the U.S. National Cancer Institute's information on acupuncture (cancer.gov). Individual results vary.
Is acupuncture safe — and is it regulated?
Acupuncture uses fine, sterile, single-use needles inserted at specific points on the body. Performed by a licensed practitioner, it is generally considered safe.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared acupuncture needles as medical devices in 1996, requiring that they be sterile, non-toxic, single-use and used by qualified practitioners. Most states regulate acupuncture practice, and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) certifies practitioners — a certification our doctors hold. If you are in active cancer treatment, your acupuncture provider should coordinate timing and precautions with your oncology team.
Trusted collaboration
Proud to work with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute
Dr. Gene Healy provides community-style acupuncture in collaboration with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute — supporting patients with comfort and quality of life during their cancer journey, in coordination with their medical teams.
"While going through chemo I had severe hip pain and ended up on oxygen. Gene introduced me to moxibustion for my lungs, and my quality of life has been restored to a degree I thought I'd never see again."
— Bobby P. · Supportive care during cancer treatment
Individual results vary from person to person.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
No. Acupuncture does not treat or cure cancer. It is supportive, complementary care used to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment — and it works alongside, never in place of, your oncology team.
Per the National Cancer Institute: nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, pain, fatigue, hot flashes, dry mouth, nerve problems, anxiety and poor sleep. The strongest evidence is for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting.
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by a licensed practitioner with sterile, single-use needles. Always tell both your oncologist and your acupuncture provider about your treatment so timing and any precautions can be coordinated.
Yes. The FDA cleared acupuncture needles as medical devices in 1996, requiring they be sterile, single-use and used by qualified practitioners.
Looking for supportive care during cancer treatment?
We'd be glad to talk with you about whether acupuncture could help with your symptoms — in coordination with your oncology team.
Contact UsThis page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Acupuncture does not treat or cure cancer; it is a complementary therapy used to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment. Research summaries are drawn from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov). Individual results vary. Always continue care with your oncologist and consult your healthcare providers before beginning any complementary therapy.