Acupuncture
- Rebecca Hargraves
- Aug 29, 2019
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 27, 2019
Acupuncture - a form of treatment that involves inserting thin needles through a person's skin at specific points in the body. Research suggests that it can help alleviate pain, as well as nausea and vomiting for those undergoing chemotherapy.
I have been receiving acupuncture since my third chemotherapy treatment. I actually began acupuncture about a year ago to help manage my anxiety and stress. However, once I was diagnosed with HL in April, my sessions began to focus more on reducing my chemo side effects.
I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before, but my first couple of chemo treatments were definitely my worst (in terms of side effects). I slept pretty much 24/7 and when I wasn't sleeping I was experiencing some pretty gnarly body aches and nausea. After my second treatment, I knew I had to find alternative ways to cope with these symptoms. My mom reminded me that my grandma had received acupuncture treatment during her second battle with breast cancer, and that she had really amazing results from it! It seemed like a pretty good plan for me to try it out too, especially since I had received acupuncture in the past. Of course, I was a little bit hesitant. Sure, it had helped with my anxiety, but would it actually help reduce the brutal effects of chemo? At this point I had nothing to lose - I was desperate. The very next day I called to make an appointment. My acupuncturist is absolutely wonderful, and she was able to see me just a couple of days before my third chemo infusion.
After discussing my diagnosis, course of treatment, and side effects, we were ready to go! I was made nice and comfortable on a heated bed with a warm blanket and pillow. Each visit typically began with my acupuncturist measuring my pulses (which helps to measure the state of my overall health and well-being). Oh, P.S. I should have said this earlier, but I am by no means a professional in the area of acupuncture! I am simply sharing my experience, so those who may be interested in acupuncture or other forms of alternative medicine can learn more, or try it out for themselves! I'll also include a few resources at the end of this post regarding the process and potential benefits of acupuncture. Ok, so back to the story. After assessing my pulses and determining the most appropriate acupuncture points to target, my practitioner would insert very thin needles into the top layer of my skin. For those of you who have never experienced acupuncture, you may be thinking, ouch!! And duh, that's totally valid. Who likes getting poked with needles? But acupuncture needles are special. Imagine the size of a sewing needle - those are approximately 1.02 mm. An acupuncture needle is 0.25 mm (a human hair is approx. 0.1 mm)! I hope you're able to visualize just how tiny we're talking.
My visits typically last about an hour. I have never fallen asleep during a session, but I do feel extremely relaxed and "zen" by the end of it! But that wasn't the only benefit. For me, acupuncture provided lasting affects on both my mind and body, which without-a-doubt has positively impacted my treatment journey. Below is a list of the main benefits that I have experienced from acupuncture.
1. Minimized my level of fatigue
2. Minimized my aches and pains
3. Stabilized my mood swings
4. Increased my energy levels
5. Helped to maintain my appetite
6. Helped to regulate my sleep schedule
7. Gained information regarding holistic healing/medicine
These are just a few of the benefits I have personally received. Again, I am not an expert in this area and acupuncture is not for everyone. However, I highly suggest looking into Eastern medicine and other forms of holistic health. Of course, Western medicine is equally important, if not more. For me, an integrative approach (both holistic and conventional medicine) worked well, and I am so so happy I took the time to research and learn more about each one! *Remember - You are your own advocate! You have the power to decide what forms of treatment you receive, when you want to receive them, and how.
Thanks so much for reading :)
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