Written by Vinjar Fønnebø and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated February 15, 2011

Acupuncture and acupressure for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting

What is it ?

Inventor

Unknown – the treatment is part of TCM.

Theory

When patients are treated with chemotherapy, they receive drugs regarded by TCM as energetically cold. Cancer is regarded in TCM as the result of too much heat in the body. The stomach, however, reacts to the “cold” with nausea and vomiting. In TCM the nausea and vomiting is due to qi flowing 'backwards' (rebelling). The treatment is aimed at opening the pathways so qi can move in the right direction (downwards). The biological expression facilitating the antiemetic effect seems to be induced by an increase in “slow waves” or “period dominant power” with regard to gastric myoelectric activity and tachyarrhythmia.1-2 These effects seem to be mediated via the opioid pathway,3 but it is not known how the acupoint stimulation induces this opioid signal. The main acupuncture point used is Pericardium 6 (P6); the point is located approximately two inches up from the wrist between the two distinct tendons).

Claims by the inventor

Stimulation of the Neiguan (P6) point relieves chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (NV).

Treatment

Acupuncture: An acupuncture needle is applied to the Neiguan (P6) point for up to three twenty-minute periods daily during on-going nausea/vomiting. The needle can be stimulated by either heat (moxa) or electric current (electroacupuncture).

Acupressure: The Neiguan (P6) point is stimulated by a wristband with a protruding knob or by finger pressure. The wristband can be worn continually, while the finger pressure is applied as needed, or at least three times a day for 20 minutes.

Providers

The treatment can be given by any trained acupuncturist, or by a specially trained doctor, nurse or physiotherapist. Acupressure is suitable for self-treatment.

Prevalence of use

The exact extent of use is unknown.

Legal issues

In some countries the practice of acupuncture is restricted to health professionals or registered/authorized/licensed acupuncturists.

Costs

The cost of an acupuncture treatment session will vary from country to country. A session could typically cost between €30 and €80, depending on whether it is the first or follow-up session. Acupuncture/acupressure treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting is largely given in conjunction with oncological treatment.

Citation

Vinjar Fønnebø, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Acupuncture/pressure for nausea and vomiting [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/layout/set/print/CAM-Summaries/Mind-body-interventions/Acupuncture-pressure-for-nausea-and-vomiting. February 15, 2011.

Document history

References

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  2. Shiotani A, Tatewaki M, Hoshino E, Takahashi T. Effects of electroacupuncture on gastric myoelectric activity in healthy humans. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2004;16:293-8.
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Legal notice
The present documentation has been compiled by the CAM-CANCER Project with all due care and expert knowledge. However, the CAM-CANCER Project provides no assurance, guarantee or promise with regard to the correctness, accuracy, up-to-date status or completeness of the information it contains. This information is designed for health professionals. Readers are strongly advised to discuss the information with their physician. Accordingly, the CAM-CANCER Project shall not be liable for damage or loss caused because anyone relies on the information.