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Acupuncture for people
living with cancer

Acupuncture can offer effective relief from common side effects of cancer
treatment, helping to improve wellbeing and quality of life.

Acupuncture is widely recognised and used in supportive cancer care. It is not a substitute for medical care, but can work alongside or after cancer treatment to manage side effects, promote wellbeing and help your body find balance during a challenging time.

Acupuncture in
cancer care

Acupuncture is widely used in supportive cancer care and can help alleviate some of the side effects from cancer treatments.

Acupuncture may help to ease:

  • Breathlessness
  • Cancer-related fatigue
  • Dry mouth (from radiotherapy)
  • Hot flushes and night sweats (from hormone therapies)
  • Nausea (from chemotherapy)
  • Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness in feet or hands from chemotherapy)
  • Persistent pain (after surgery or treatment)
  • Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness from chemotherapy)
  • Stress and anxiety

Find out more about research on acupuncture in cancer care                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

View Research

Breathlessness

Cancer-related fatigue

Dry mouth (from radiotherapy)

Hot flushes and night sweats (from hormone therapies)

Nausea (from chemotherapy)

Persistent pain (after surgery or treatment)

Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or numbness from chemotherapy)

Stress and anxiety

 

Beyond symptom relief, acupuncture can support emotional balance, sleep quality, and overall resilience. Many people describe feeling more grounded, rested, and better able to cope with the physical and emotional demands of treatment.

Acupuncture encourages the body’s natural healing responses and activates the relaxation pathways of the nervous system, helping restore a sense of steadiness and inner calm — even during times of uncertainty.

 

Important considerations

Your safety is always paramount. Acupuncture is generally very safe, but during cancer treatment it requires specific precautions. Always consult your oncology team before starting acupuncture.

During chemotherapy

Acupuncture can help with nausea and fatigue. However, chemotherapy can temporarily lower immunity. Treatments are carefully timed, usually avoiding the 3–7 days after a session when white blood cell counts are lowest. Your oncologist’s advice is essential here.

During radiotherapy

It is generally safe to have acupuncture during radiotherapy, but needles are not placed in areas being irradiated. Healing is slower in those zones, and consequently there is a higher risk of infection.

Lymphoedema risk

If lymph nodes have been removed or affected by radiotherapy (commonly in the armpit or groin), acupuncture is not performed on that limb. This precaution prevents the risk of triggering lymphoedema.

Accessing treatment and referrals

It’s important to see an acupuncturist who has knowledge and experience in oncology support. A number of charities and care centres offer free or low-cost sessions.

You can often self-refer to a supportive care centre — a doctor’s referral isn’t always needed.
In Greater Manchester, specialist services include:

Visit
Visit
Link to Cancer Research UK on Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to help manage:

  • • Hot flushes due to hormone therapies
  • • Dry mouth from radiotherapy
  • • Persistent pain after surgery
  • • Nausea from chemotherapy
  • • Peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy
  • • Breathlessness
  • • Fatigue

    • In addition, many people find that acupuncture promotes a sense of wellbeing which may help people who are feeling stressed or anxious.

    Acupuncture during a course of chemotherapy

    Acupuncture can help manage some of the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea and fatigue. However, chemotherapy can temporarily reduce a person’s immunity because it works by destroying fast-growing cells, which include white blood cells. This effect on immunity usually occurs within 3-7 days following administration of chemotherapy. While it is often possible to receive acupuncture while having chemotherapy, the medical team should be consulted to make sure it is safe and appropriate.

    Acupuncture during a course of radiotherapy

    It is usually safe to have acupuncture during a course of radiotherapy. Needles cannot be used in the tissues which have been exposed to radiation as healing will be slower and so the infection risk is greater.

    Acupuncture and lymphoedema

    If you have had lymph nodes in your armpit or groin surgically removed or damaged
    through radiotherapy, you cannot have cannot have acupuncture in the arm or leg on
    that side because of the increased risk of lymphoedema.
    acupuncture

    Where can people with cancer have acupuncture?

    People with cancer can often access acupuncture services free of charge at local supportive care centres. If you have had cancer, you can usually refer yourself for supportive care without the need for a doctor’s referral. In Greater Manchester, Beechwood Cancer Care, the Maggie Centre and the Neil Cliffe Centre all offer acupuncture.

    Ask a member of your cancer team if you aren't sure whether you can have acupuncture.

    Cancerresearch.org About Acupuncture