Acupuncture for Cancer
Acupuncture for Cancer: What It Is and How It May Help
Author
Olivia Pearman is an experienced researcher who is passionate about access to scientific information. She has over a decade of research experience with a PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master’s from the Yale School of the Environment, and a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in translating research for all audiences and is thrilled to work with CancerChoices to help make scientific knowledge available for everybody.
Clinical reviewer
Misha Cohen, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, is the Clinical Director of Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine, Executive Director of the MRCE Foundation, and Research Specialist of Integrative Medicine at the University of California Institute for Health and Aging, all in San Francisco. She is also an elected Fellow to the National Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She has been practicing traditional Asian medicine for the past 40 years.
Last update: October 2, 2026
Acupuncture for cancer: what you need to know
- Acupuncture is a widely available therapy that originated in China thousands of years ago, involving the stimulation of designated points on the body with fine needles.
- There is good evidence that acupuncture can help with many cancer-related side effects including pain, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, appetite, and many others.
- Acupuncture may also help with recovery after surgery for cancer.
- Acupuncture is generally considered safe when administered by a licensed practitioner.
- This is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient east-Asian therapy and has become widely accepted in Western medicine. Acupuncture is based on the regulation of energy pathways and circulation within your body. The practice involves stimulating designated points on the body with fine needles. Several types of acupoint-related therapies are widely available including:
- Electroacupuncture – a mild electric current is run through the inserted needles
- Moxibustion – heating of acupoints on the surface of the skin by burning dried herbs such as mugwort, often in conjunction with standard acupuncture to prepare for needle insertion
- Acupressure – stimulation of acupoints using pressure only, without needles
- Auricular acupuncture/acupressure – stimulation of acupoints on and around the ear
This review is focused primarily on acupuncture and electroacupuncture. However, many analyses include several different acupoint-related therapies in addition to acupuncture/electroacupuncture such as acupressure, moxibustion, and other therapies.
Acupuncture and other acupoint-related therapies can improve several cancer-related side effects and symptoms, including anxiety, pain, nausea and vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, loss of appetite, and overall quality of life. It has not been studied for reducing risk of cancer, and evidence to date shows modest effects on immune function and hormonal balance.
Safety
- Generally safe when administered by a licensed practitioner.
- Most adverse effects of acupuncture are minor and resolve quickly on their own; the most common side effects are pain, bleeding, bruising, or rash at the needle insertion site; some people can also experience dizziness or vertigo during sessions.
- Acupuncture may not be advisable for people who have severe bleeding or nerve disorders, and other conditions. Be sure to discuss with a practitioner before seeking treatment.
- Electroacupuncture is not advisable for people with pacemakers.
- No known interactions.
See full safety details, side effects & drug interactions →
How acupuncture may help people with cancer
Strength of evidence rating
We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MoreTwo recent analyses suggest that acupuncture combined with conventional treatments may increase tumor response rate.1Wang Y, Sui B, et al. 2025. Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the immune function of patients with malignant tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in immunology, 16, 1583522; Xu DF, Zheng HZ, et al. 2025. Acupuncture Relative to Sham Control in Managing Breast Cancer-Related Hot Flashes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Complementary medicine research, 32(5), 387–401. However, the available studies are of very low quality and have a high risk of bias.
Managing side effects
See MorePeople with cancer who receive acupuncture alongside conventional treatments show significant improvements in many common treatment-related side effects including anxiety and depression, peripheral neuropathy, appetite and maintenance of body weight, gastrointestinal issues including nausea and vomiting, pain, fatigue, and overall quality of life compared to usual care for these side effects.2Fangfang MA, Hewei Z, et al. 2023. Acupuncture and moxibustion for malignant tumor patients with psychological symptoms of insomnia, anxiety and depression: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan, 43(3), 441–456; Yeh ML, Liao RW, et al. 2024. Acupuncture-related interventions improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 24(1), 310; Zhang X, Yang W, et al. 2025. Acupuncture’s Emergence as A Promising Non-Pharmacological Therapy for Appetite Management in Cancer Chemotherapy. Nutrition and cancer, 77(2), 230–243; Wei W, Yao B, et al. 2025. Invasive or noninvasive? A systematic review and network meta-analysis of acupuncture and acupressure to treat cancer pain. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(11), 997; Xie T, Liu C, et al. 2025. Efficacy and Safety of Different Acupuncture Treatments for Cancer-Related Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Integrative cancer therapies, 24, 15347354251314500; Chou HC, Konara Mudiyanselage SP, et al. 2026. Comparative Effectiveness of Acupoint Stimulation Therapies for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Network Meta-Analysis. Worldviews on evidence-based nursing, 23(1), e70104; Yao Z, Ren Y, et al. 2026. Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture-Related Interventions for Fatigue Quality of Life and Cancer-Related Indicators in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Complementary medicine research, 33(2), 149–173.
There is excellent evidence that acupuncture therapies help reduce cancer-related pain for many different kinds of cancer including non-small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer.3Liu J, Chang J, et al. 2026. Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Pain in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of pain research, 19, 588869; Shi A, Yerebake M, et al. 2026. Acupuncture as Adjunctive Therapy for Cervical Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of pain and symptom management, 71(5), e540–e557; He Y, Xiang S, et al. 2024. Acupuncture treatment for liver cancer pain: A meta-analysis. Journal of surgical oncology, 130(1), 83–92; Qi QL, Han X, & Tang C. 2022. Effects of Acupuncture on Breast Cancer Patients Taking Aromatase Inhibitors. BioMed research international, 2022, 1164355. True acupoint methods also appear to provide more pain relief and better pain management than sham acupoint controls.4Wei W, Yao B, et al. 2025. Invasive or noninvasive? A systematic review and network meta-analysis of acupuncture and acupressure to treat cancer pain. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(11), 997; Faria M, Teixeira M, et al. 2024. Efficacy of acupuncture on cancer pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of integrative medicine, 22(3), 235–244. Acupuncture also significantly reduces pain and symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, even when compared to sham acupuncture.5Cai L, Lin L, et al. 2026. Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis for randomized controlled trials. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 34(3), 174; Yeh ML, Liao RW, et al. 2024. Acupuncture-related interventions improve chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 24(1), 310.
Acupuncture may help improve some aspects of sleep disruption related to cancer and cancer treatment such as increasing sleep efficiency and time spent asleep.6Khosravaninezhad Y, Moshfeghinia R, et al. 2025. Effect of acupressure and acupuncture on sleep quality in cancer patients with insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 21(4), 103192. However, studies do not consistently show improvements in overall sleep quality, especially when compared with sham acupuncture.7Khosravaninezhad Y, Moshfeghinia R, et al. 2025. Effect of acupressure and acupuncture on sleep quality in cancer patients with insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 21(4), 103192; Zhang J, Zhang Z, et al. 2022. Acupuncture for cancer-related insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 102, 154160. The evidence for the effect of acupuncture on severity and frequency of insomnia is inconclusive, with some studies showing improvement and other studies showing no improvement.8Sun X, Zhang Y, et al. 2025. Comparative efficacy of interventions for insomnia in cancer patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 29(2), 133; Ma Q, Liu C, et al. 2025. Acupuncture for insomnia in people with cancer. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 12(12), CD015177; Li K & Luo Y. 2025. Efficacy of electroacupuncture in the treatment of insomnia in cancer patients: A meta-analysis. Medicine, 104(1), e41123. It may be that people who go into treatment expecting that acupuncture will help their insomnia are more likely to experience improvements in insomnia symptoms.9Li X, Bao T, et al. 2023. Does expectancy affect insomnia treatment response in cancer survivors receiving acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy?. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 17(3), 826–835.
Acupuncture therapies may help with nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy treatments and may even work as well or better than standard anti-nausea medication.10Wang Y, Wang F, et al. 2025. Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on chemotherapy induced delayed nausea and vomiting for tumors: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in medicine, 88, 103124. However, studies do not consistently show any differences between the effect of true acupuncture and sham acupuncture on nausea and/or vomiting.11Yan Y, López-Alcalde J, et al. 2023. Acupuncture for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer medicine, 12(11), 12504–12517; Qi L, Shi H, et al. 2023. The effect of acupuncture on recovery after colorectal cancer resection: A systematic review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 102(35), e34678.
Acupuncture may help alleviate some side effects most commonly associated with treatment for breast cancer. There is good evidence that acupuncture helps improve symptoms related to the build-up of lymph fluid in the body (lymphedema) including pain, swelling, and range of motion.12Zhang D, Zhao X, et al. 2025. Effect of eight different acupuncture and moxibustion therapies on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(10), 850; Xu Y, Yu J, et al. 2024. Comparison efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies in breast cancer-related lymphedema: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. PloS one, 19(5), e0303513. Acupuncture may also help with joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors13Bae K, Lamoury G, et al. 2023. Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of treatments for aromatase inhibitor-induced arthralgia in breast cancer patients: A systematic review with network meta-analysis. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology, 181, 103898. and pain after surgery.14Ma T, Xue G, et al. 2023. Effects of acupuncture on postoperative pain in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Asian journal of surgery, 46(11), 5029–5031. The evidence related to the effects of acupuncture on hot flash frequency and severity is inconclusive. While some studies have shown reductions in hot flash severity and/or frequency related to breast cancer treatment with the use of acupuncture therapies,15Li H, Schlaeger JM, et al. 2021. Acupuncture Improves Multiple Treatment-Related Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 27(12):1084-1097; Yuanqing P, Yong T et al. 2020. Acupuncture for hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients: a grade-assessed systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 19:1534735420940394; Chen YP, Liu T et al. 2016. Acupuncture for hot flashes in women with breast cancer: a systematic review. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. 12(2):535-42. other analyses have shown no difference, especially when compared with sham acupuncture.16Xu DF, Zheng HZ, et al. 2025. Acupuncture Relative to Sham Control in Managing Breast Cancer-Related Hot Flashes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Complementary medicine research, 32(5), 387–401; Salehi A, Marzban M, Zadeh AR. 2016. Acupuncture for treating hot flashes in breast cancer patients: an updated meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer. 24(12):4895-4899.
Many analyses show faster recovery and reduced adverse effects after surgery for people with gastric or colorectal cancer, and these results appear robust even when compared with sham acupuncture.17Wu Y, Li X, et al. 2026. Influence of acupuncture and moxibustion on postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction among patients with gastrointestinal cancer: A network meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in medicine, 97, 103331; Zheng L, Zhang X, et al. 2025. Efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for the restoration of postoperative intestinal motility of patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International journal of colorectal disease, 40(1), 176; Zhu M, Chen L, et al. 2026. A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture versus sham/placebo acupuncture for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in cancer patients: Evidence from randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 105(4), e47305; Qi L, Shi H, et al. 2023. The effect of acupuncture on recovery after colorectal cancer resection: A systematic review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 102(35), e34678. However, acupuncture has not been shown to help reduce pain after surgery for colorectal cancer.18Qi L, Shi H, et al. 2023. The effect of acupuncture on recovery after colorectal cancer resection: A systematic review meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Medicine, 102(35), e34678.
Studies consistently show that acupuncture shortens recovery time, improves bladder control, and reduces issues related to urinary tract complications after surgery among people with cervical cancer and people with prostate cancer.19Tang Y, Cai Y, et al. 2026. Comparative efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of postprostatectomy urinary incontinence: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medicine, 105(3), e44085; Xu H, He Y, et al. 2025. Acupuncture treatment of postoperative urinary retention in cervical cancer: Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis. Medicine, 104(8), e41520; Tan J, Gong R, et al. 2023. Meta-analysis of clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture versus conventional treatment for postoperative urinary retention in cervical cancer. Medicine, 102(43), e35580.
Many studies suggest that acupuncture helps reduce side effects commonly associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer such as symptoms of oral mucositis including pain and ulcers, as well as dry-mouth, compared to usual care.20Ji L, Han L, & Sharma A. 2025. Efficacy of acupuncture in managing radiotherapy/chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(10), 873; Tsai RY, Lin SY, et al. 2025. Efficacy of Acupuncture in Managing Radiation-Induced Xerostomia: An Updated Meta-Analysis. International journal of medical sciences, 22(11), 2802–2815. However, the benefits of true acupuncture for these symptoms are less consistent when compared with sham acupuncture.21Gu W, Dong H, et al. 2025. Is Acupuncture an Effective Treatment for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 31(5), 431–444.
Optimizing your body terrain
Acupuncture may affect hormonal balance and immune function. Changes in hormone levels and increased immune system activation are not always beneficial, so your oncology team needs to determine whether these effects would be favorable in your situation. Evidence for the effect of acupuncture therapies on inflammation is inconclusive, with studies showing increased, decreased, and no effect on inflammation.22Lian JL, Wu XM, Sun X, Wang YJ, Li YH. [Effect of Tiaodu Jieyu acupuncture on cancer-related depression: a randomized controlled trial]. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2021 Apr 12;41(4):381-5. Chinese; Yuanqing P, Yong T et al. Acupuncture for hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients: a grade-assessed systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2020 Jan-Dec;19:1534735420940394.
Some studies indicate that acupuncture may reduce metabolic hormones such as fasting glucose and insulin among people with polycystic ovarian syndrome,23Wu T, Liu Y, et al. 2025. Improvement of endocrine and metabolic conditions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome through acupuncture and its combined therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of medicine, 57(1), 2477295. and may impact hormones affecting appetite (blood leptin and ghrelin) among people with gastrointestinal cancer.24Grundmann O, Yoon SL, Williams JJ, Gordan L, George TJ Jr. Augmentation of cancer cachexia components with targeted acupuncture in patients with gastrointestinal cancers: a randomized controlled pilot study. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2019 Jan-Dec;18:1534735418823269.
Acupuncture has been shown to increase immune function markers (CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, tumor necrosis factor, and natural killer cells), and decrease other markers (CD8+), among people with lung cancer as well as other cancer types.25Kim DH, Park MS, et al. 2026. Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients Undergoing Standard Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Integrative cancer therapies, 25, 15347354261419716; Wang Y, Sui B, et al. 2025. Effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on the immune function of patients with malignant tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in immunology, 16, 1583522. There may be differences in effects among people with different cancer types and/or during different treatment phases. One meta-analysis found no change in immune function among people with breast cancer undergoing hormone therapy.26Yuanqing P, Yong T et al. Acupuncture for hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients: a grade-assessed systematic review and updated meta-analysis. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2020 Jan-Dec;19:1534735420940394.
Reducing cancer risk or recurrence
We did not find published studies related to acupuncture and reducing risk of cancer or cancer recurrence.
See the full evidence summary ›
Affordability and access
Is a prescription required?
Acupuncture does not require a prescription. A referral may be required for insurance.
Where to find it
Acupuncture needs to be administered by a trained and qualified professional. We encourage you to check licensing and certification of acupuncturists before scheduling an appointment. Each state has its own State Board to license acupuncturists. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is one certifying body in the USA, though NCCAOM certification is not required in all states.
Additionally, check to see if a practitioner has oncology training, or lists substantial experience in cancer support.
Affordability
Acupuncture and acupoint-related therapies may be covered by some insurance. Check with your insurance provider. Out-of-pocket cost for individual acupuncture sessions can range from $50 to $250. In large cities, community acupuncture clinics sometimes offer group sessions that are more affordable than an individual session.
Find an integrative provider ›
FAQs
There is very weak evidence that acupuncture may increase tumor response rate when used with conventional treatment.
There is good evidence that acupuncture can help relieve cancer pain including joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, and other types of pain related to treatment.
Acupuncture can help with anxiety and depression, peripheral neuropathy, appetite and maintenance of body weight, gastrointestinal issues including nausea and vomiting, pain, fatigue, and overall quality of life for cancer patients.
There is some evidence that acupuncture may support immune function in cancer patients, but benefits may depend on cancer type and treatment phase.
There is some evidence that acupuncture may impact inflammation in cancer patients, but the direction of effect is unclear.
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