Acupuncture a Salve for Colorectal Cancer?

TUESDAY, March 11, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute plan to study whether acupuncture can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with advanced, terminal colorectal cancer.

The study, supported by a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, will include 170 people recruited over four years.

They'll be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group will receive true acupuncture in which needles will be inserted at acupoints associated with emotional well-being.

The second group will be given sham acupuncture, receiving needles in areas of the body that aren't actual acupoints. The third group will receive the standard cancer care without acupuncture.

The final months of life for many people with terminal colorectal cancer can include many distressing physical symptoms such as pain, appetite loss, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. These physical symptoms can cause psychological distress and frequent hospitalization and can result in poor quality of life.

In acupuncture theory, disruptions in energy flow within the body or an imbalance between the complementary life energies known as Yin and Yang cause illness and disease. Acupuncture is used to correct these energy flow imbalances and to promote optimal health.

This is done by inserting thin surgical needles into specific points close to the surface of the skin to stimulate energy flow.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about acupuncture.