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WHY THE BODY
RESPONDS
Researchers are also unlocking
the mysteries of why acupuncture
works as they explore the physiologi-
cal mechanisms at work. A treat-
ment called electroacupuncture—in
which a weak electric current passes
through the needle—is particularly
efective in treating pain, Cybularz
says, and new studies are revealing
why this is the case.
One possible reason acupuncture
reduces pain is linked to the fact that
it releases our own body's chemicals
that mute the pain response, and
electroacupuncture can stimulate the
release of a lot more of those natural
opioids," he says.
Cybularz used electroacupuncture
to augment traditional acupuncture
while treating a middle-aged woman
who was in severe abdominal pain
afer cytoreductive surgery in which
her torso had been opened to remove
cancer. Even afer taking pain medi-
cation, she was still intermittently
struggling with discomfort and was
unable to sleep. Cybularz inserted
needles around her elbows, down her
forearms and in an area of her scalp.
Several minutes later she told Cybu-
larz that her pain had dropped by at
least 50 percent, and minutes afer
that she was sleeping peacefully.
Acupuncture researchers are also
investigating how genetics factor in
a person's response to this form of
treatment. "Researchers found that
people who had a specifc genotype
had a signifcantly higher response
to acupuncture, which could allow
us to personalize treatment," Cohen
says. "If the genetics are known for
response to acupuncture, there may
be additional evidence-based reasons
for doctors to recommend it."
Clinicians like Cybularz and
Cohen are optimistic that in the
coming years, study results will
continue increasing the openness to
acupuncture in the world of Western
medicine, and patients will ulti-
mately be the benefciaries of this
integration.
"I am helping people at a time
when they are ofen facing the big-
gest challenges they have experienced
in their lives," Cybularz says. "Tey
are typically at a point when the
quality of life is low and they are
losing hope that anybody can help
them. Afer acupuncture they almost
always leave feeling better. I explain
that I only help their own bodies
release natural chemicals. Knowing
that they played a role in their own
healing seems to give them a sense of
empowerment that is palpable."
References
1. Lu, W., Dean-Clower, E., Doherty-Gilman, A.,
& Rosenthal, D. S. (2008). Te value of acupunc-
ture in cancer care. Hematology/Oncology Clinics
of North America, 22, 631–648. doi: 10.1016/j.
hoc.2008.04.005
2. Cassileth, B. R., Van Zee, K. J., Yeung, K. S., et al.
(2013). Acupuncture in the treatment of upper-limb
lymphedema: Results of a pilot study. Cancer, 119,
2455–2461. doi: 10.1002/cncr.28093
Acupunture
and Cancer Care
Research related to the role of
acupuncture in cancer care is
ongoing. If you would like to dig
a little deeper into the research,
take a look at the following
journal articles referenced here:
• The Value of Acupuncture
in Cancer Care
Journal: Hematology/Oncology
Clinics of North America
Authors: W. Lu, E. Dean-
Clower, A. Doherty-Gilman and
D. S. Rosenthal
Publication date: August 2008
Abstract online: ncbi.nlm.nih.
gov/pubmed/18638692
• Acupuncture in the Treatment
of Upper-Limb Lymphedema:
Results of a Pilot Study
Journal: Cancer
Authors: B. R. Cassileth,
K. J. Van Zee, K. S. Yeung,
M. I. Coleton, S. Cohen,
Y. H. Chan, A. J. Vickers,
D. D. Sjoberg and C. A. Hudis
Publication date: July 2013
Abstract online: ncbi.nlm.nih.
gov/pubmed/23576267
HEATHER
STRINGER
is a freelance
journalist for
a variety of
magazines,
who covers
health topics ranging from
breaking medical news and
profles of infuential people to
workplace issues in health care.
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