Acupuncture and Cancer Pain:
A Supportive, Gentle Option for Relief
Cancer and its treatments can take a profound toll on the body—and pain is often one of the most difficult parts of the journey. Whether it’s from surgery, chemotherapy, or the cancer itself, pain can impact every aspect of daily life, from sleep and energy to mood and movement.
At Point The Way Acupuncture, we provide a calm, supportive environment for people seeking natural, complementary care alongside their cancer treatment plan. Acupuncture is used to help support comfort, reduce pain intensity, and ease physical and emotional stress.
Understanding Cancer-Related Pain
Pain during or after cancer can come from many sources:
Tumour pressure on nerves, bones, or organs
Post-surgical discomfort
Side effects from chemotherapy or radiation (e.g. neuropathy, inflammation)
Ongoing changes in the body during survivorship
Types of pain may include:
Neuropathic pain (nerve-related)
Inflammatory pain
Bone pain (often severe in metastatic cases)
Post-treatment recovery pain
Managing these symptoms effectively is vital to quality of life, but many people report that conventional options don’t provide full relief or come with unwanted side effects.
Acupuncture as Support for Cancer Pain
Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is used to support people in managing a wide range of symptoms, including pain, fatigue, nausea, and emotional distress. While not a replacement for medical treatment, acupuncture may help reduce discomfort and promote relaxation.
Clients have reported benefits such as:
Feeling more comfortable in their bodies
Reduced pain intensity
Better rest and less agitation
Greater emotional ease
What the Research Shows
According to The Acupuncture Evidence Project (2017), acupuncture has shown moderate evidence of benefit for cancer-related pain, particularly:
Surgery-induced pain
Bone metastasis pain
Pain during ongoing cancer treatment
A 2016 meta-analysis including over 2,200 patients across 36 trials found that acupuncture was effective for relieving cancer pain, especially when used alongside conventional treatments.
Furthermore, acupuncture has been described as safe and well tolerated, even in complex care settings, due to its low risk of side effects.
How Acupuncture May Help
Research suggests that acupuncture can:
Activate the body’s own opioid systems (for natural pain modulation)
Reduce stress and anxiety responses through nervous system regulation
Release biochemicals like GABA, adenosine, and substance P, involved in pain modulation
Influence brain regions responsible for pain perception and emotional regulation
This may explain why many clients describe feeling more at ease, even during challenging times.
A Gentle, Individualised Approach
Cancer care is deeply personal, and pain is more than just a physical sensation. We take the time to understand your unique situation, what type of pain you’re experiencing, where you are in your treatment journey, and what kind of support you need most.
Treatments are designed to be gentle, grounding, and restorative. You don’t have to go it alone.
Ready to Explore Supportive Options?
If you or someone you love is navigating cancer-related pain and seeking a natural, compassionate approach, feel free to get in touch or book an appointment. We’re here to walk beside you with care and understanding.
Acupuncture is considered a complementary therapy. This information is general and not intended to replace medical advice. Results vary between individuals. Please speak with your oncologist, GP, or healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.