A recent study suggests that acupuncture is as effective as conventional drug therapies to relieve the burdensome side effects of breast cancer treatment. Uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes and excessive perspiration are common in women undergoing chemotherapy as well as certain hormone and drug therapies.

The randomized clinical trial showed not only a reduction of symptoms in women treated with acupuncture, but also longer-lasting relief compared to those women who went the conventional pharmaceutical route. The study also reports that those who had acupuncture experienced increased energy and vitality, a positive side effect not once reported by those treated with drugs.

Dr. Eleanor Walker MD, radiation oncologist and key author of the study, had this to say:

“Our study shows that physicians and patients have an additional therapy for something that affects the majority of breast cancer survivors and actually has benefits, as opposed to more side effects. The effect is more durable than a drug commonly used to treat these vasomotor symptoms and, ultimately, is more cost-effective for insurance companies.”