Cancer HorizonsAll NewsBlogsCaregivingDiet and ExerciseFinancialPsychosocialRecipesSexual HealthSide EffectSponsoredSurvivorship
All VideosCURE ConnectionsCURE Expert Connections®CURE Speaking OutCURE TVEducated Patient Sound BitesOn Demand: Webinars
Conference Coverage Conference Listing
CURE AdventuresCURE AwardsEducated Patient In Person EducationEducated Patient Virtual Education
Advocacy GroupsArt GalleryClinical Trial CornerHeal®PartnersPodcastsPublicationsShare Your Story
Subscribe
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Blogs
  • Breast Cancer Webinar Series
  • Cancer Horizons
  • Clinical Trial Corner
  • Heal®
  • Publications
  • Videos
Blood CancersBlood CancersBlood CancersBlood Cancers
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast Cancer
Childhood Cancers
Gastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal CancersGastrointestinal Cancers
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancerGynecologic CancerGynecologic Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
LeukemiaLeukemiaLeukemia
Lung Cancer
LymphomaLymphomaLymphomaLymphoma
Rare CancersRare Cancers
Sarcoma
Skin Cancer/Melanoma
Thyroid Cancer
    • Subscribe
Advertisement

Article

September 28, 2022

Acupuncture Is a ‘Worthwhile’ Approach to Decrease Cancer-Related Pain, Expert Says

Author(s):

Brielle Benyon

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease cancer-related pain, and it most recently was recommended by several organizations for certain patients with breast cancer.

Over the past several years, study findings have demonstrated that acupuncture may reduce chronic pain in cancer survivors and can even reduce the use of painkillers.

And now, several leading cancer organizations recommend acupuncture to manage breast cancer-related pain.

In September 2022, the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) updated their guidelines for cancer-related pain to strongly recommend acupuncture for patients with breast cancer who are experiencing joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors.

In September 2022, the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) updated their guidelines for cancer-related pain to strongly recommend acupuncture for patients with breast cancer who are experiencing joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors.

“Acupuncture has the biggest research base (of integrative methods) in terms of improving pain, because it dates back many years — centuries in fact — in terms of being an effective treatment, while having side effects that are quite manageable,” Dr. Dawn L. Hershman, a professor of medicine and epidemiology and director of the Breast Oncology and co-leader of the Cancer Population Science Program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University in New York, said in an interview with CURE®.

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine procedure that involves the insertion of thin needles into the skin at strategic points. It is not completely understood how acupuncture works to relieve pain, but prior research conducted at Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that it stimulates the central nervous system.

Hershman noted that the side effects of acupuncture may include discomfort at the insertion site, something she said is often “minimal” compared with other methods of pain relief, such as opioids, which can be associated with addiction and unwanted side effects.

In a 2021 study led by Hershman, more than half (64%) of patients with early-stage breast cancer who were receiving an aromatase inhibitor saw a clinically meaningful decrease in pain after undergoing 12 weeks of acupuncture.

More recently, in September 2022, the Society for Integrative Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) updated their guidelines for cancer-related pain to strongly recommend acupuncture for patients with breast cancer who are experiencing joint pain related to aromatase inhibitors.

Finding and Paying for Acupuncture

By creating practice guidelines, the Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO are hoping that health care systems will start to offer services such as acupuncture so that insurance will cover the procedures.

Hershman said that in the past, one of the main barriers to acupuncture has been the cost. However, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), as well as some private insurers, have started to cover at least part of the cost incurred from acupuncture treatments.

More than half (64%) of patients with early-stage breast cancer who were receiving an aromatase inhibitor saw a clinically meaningful decrease in pain after undergoing 12 weeks of acupuncture, according to findings from a study published in 2021.

More than half (64%) of patients with early-stage breast cancer who were receiving an aromatase inhibitor saw a clinically meaningful decrease in pain after undergoing 12 weeks of acupuncture, according to findings from a study published in 2021.

“We’re seeing efforts to reduce long-term (opioid) addiction and improve pain efforts by (health insurers) to try to cover these costs,” Hershman said.

Another barrier to acupuncture that Hershman said she has seen is that patients do not know where to find a reputable acupuncturist.

Hershman recommended that patients first speak with their health care providers about acupuncture, as some cancer centers have acupuncturists on staff. Additionally, the Society for Integrative Oncology has a resource where patients can search for acupuncturists based on their zip code, according to Hershman.

“Reaching out to cancer centers to see if they’re affiliated with practices that may be familiar with (patients with) cancer is another approach,” Hershman said. “At the end of the day, like all fee-for-service activities — including finding a health care provider — it becomes word of mouth.”

Keep an Open Mind

Hershman noted that patients may be tempted to shy away from acupuncture if they dislike needles — especially as cancer care already involves blood draws, infusions and the like. However, Hershman said that the needles used in acupuncture are extremely thin, and that most patients do not even feel their insertion.

“I think patients should be open to at least trying it. You need to do several sessions for it to work,” Hershman said. “Given the potential benefits, and given the limited risks, it’s worthwhile being open-minded to different approaches that can improve health, wellbeing and quality of life.”

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Newsletter

Stay up to date on cancer updates, research and education

Subscribe Now!
Related Videos
Image of two doctors with text.
Imiage of two doctors with text.
Enhertu with Perjeta nearly doubled progression-free survival versus standard treatment in metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer, study shows.
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli discusses the early use of camizestrant with a CDK4/6 inhibitor to target ESR1 mutations, as it may improve outcomes in metastatic breast cancer.
Image of woman.
Picture of Dr. Pouneh Razavi
Image of a woman wearing a headband and glasses
Image of doctor.
Image of woman.
Related Content
Advertisement
Image of women with text.
June 25th 2025

June Breast Cancer Highlights: Top 5 Updates Patients Should Know

Ryan Scott
June brought major breast cancer updates, and CURE is sharing the latest treatment combinations, biomarker-driven care and patient well-being.
cancer horizons podcast logo: a white microphone on a blue background
March 4th 2024

Cannabis Talks During Cancer, Cardiometabolic Comorbidities and Current Research

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
In addition to a breakthrough therapy designation for a lung cancer drug, this week we’ll be talking a lot about additional side effects and health conditions that may come with a cancer diagnosis, and how to manage them.
Dr. Rita Mukhtar sits down for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Sabari to discuss the potential use of ctDNA to guide breast cancer therapy: © stock.adobe.com.
June 24th 2025

How a Blood Test May Help Guide Breast Cancer Treatment

Ryan Scott
Dr. Rita Mukhtar sits down for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Sabari to discuss the potential use of ctDNA to guide breast cancer therapy.
Guidelines for Childhood Neuroblastoma, FDA Decisions and More
February 12th 2024

Guidelines for Childhood Neuroblastoma, FDA Decisions and More

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
Last week, we saw a few moving parts in the regulatory space, from new NCCN guidelines for pediatric neuroblastoma treatment to FDA Fast Tracks and Priority Reviews
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear: © stock.adobe.com.
June 23rd 2025

Faith, Friendship and Finding Purpose After Breast Cancer

Shirley Rakuljic
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear, and in passing on a blessed bracelet, I found healing and an unexpected reconnection.
Advocacy text.
June 19th 2025

Self-Advocacy Can Help Patients Navigate Cancer Treatment Challenges

Mindy Sue Cohen
Speaking up during cancer treatment helped one patient manage side effects, address insurance issues and stay productive throughout chemotherapy.
Related Content
Advertisement
Image of women with text.
June 25th 2025

June Breast Cancer Highlights: Top 5 Updates Patients Should Know

Ryan Scott
June brought major breast cancer updates, and CURE is sharing the latest treatment combinations, biomarker-driven care and patient well-being.
cancer horizons podcast logo: a white microphone on a blue background
March 4th 2024

Cannabis Talks During Cancer, Cardiometabolic Comorbidities and Current Research

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
In addition to a breakthrough therapy designation for a lung cancer drug, this week we’ll be talking a lot about additional side effects and health conditions that may come with a cancer diagnosis, and how to manage them.
Dr. Rita Mukhtar sits down for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Sabari to discuss the potential use of ctDNA to guide breast cancer therapy: © stock.adobe.com.
June 24th 2025

How a Blood Test May Help Guide Breast Cancer Treatment

Ryan Scott
Dr. Rita Mukhtar sits down for a conversation with Dr. Joshua Sabari to discuss the potential use of ctDNA to guide breast cancer therapy.
Guidelines for Childhood Neuroblastoma, FDA Decisions and More
February 12th 2024

Guidelines for Childhood Neuroblastoma, FDA Decisions and More

Alex Biese Brielle Benyon
Last week, we saw a few moving parts in the regulatory space, from new NCCN guidelines for pediatric neuroblastoma treatment to FDA Fast Tracks and Priority Reviews
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear: © stock.adobe.com.
June 23rd 2025

Faith, Friendship and Finding Purpose After Breast Cancer

Shirley Rakuljic
After my breast cancer diagnosis, faith guided me through fear, and in passing on a blessed bracelet, I found healing and an unexpected reconnection.
Advocacy text.
June 19th 2025

Self-Advocacy Can Help Patients Navigate Cancer Treatment Challenges

Mindy Sue Cohen
Speaking up during cancer treatment helped one patient manage side effects, address insurance issues and stay productive throughout chemotherapy.
About Us
Advertise / Support
Editorial Board
Contact Us
CancerNetwork.com
TargetedOnc.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
Terms & Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.