Breast Cancer Awareness Month – How Acupuncture Helps
Understanding Breast Cancer and Its Impact
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, support those in treatment, and raise awareness about prevention and early detection. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women today. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2025 alone, an estimated 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed nationwide.
“Thank goodness for Dr. Cindi’s acupuncture expertise. She kept me upright and mobile though-out the several months I experienced neuropathy and discomfort during my breast cancer journey.”
Thanks to early screening and advances in medical care, survival rates continue to improve. Still, the journey through breast cancer can be deeply challenging—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. For many, finding ways to support the body and mind during treatment and recovery becomes an essential part of healing.
Common Symptoms and Challenges
Breast cancer can present in many ways. Common symptoms include:
A new lump or mass in the breast or underarm
Changes in breast size, shape, or texture
Skin dimpling, redness, or thickening
Nipple discharge or pain
During and after treatment, the effects of breast cancer can linger. Many women experience fatigue, nausea, hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, depression, neuropathy and/or pain as side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or hormone therapies.
Beyond the physical toll, breast cancer can affect nearly every aspect of a woman’s life—her confidence, relationships, energy, and emotional well-being. True healing requires more than treating the disease itself; it involves caring for the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.
This is where acupuncture and integrative care can play a meaningful role, helping support the body and mind through treatment and promoting health and recovery.
How Acupuncture Supports Breast Cancer Care
Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been used for over 2,000 years to promote healing, relieve pain, and restore balance in the body. For those navigating breast cancer treatment or recovery, acupuncture can be a valuable complementary therapy, working alongside conventional medicine to improve comfort, resilience, and overall quality of life.
Relieves Pain and Discomfort: Acupuncture is highly effective for managing pain related to surgery, radiation, and medication side effects. By targeting specific points on the body, it helps improve circulation, stimulate the release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), and reduce inflammation. These effects can provide gentle, drug-free relief, making it easier for patients to move, rest, and recover. Studies have shown that regular acupuncture treatments can significantly reduce chronic pain and post-surgical discomfort, supporting the body’s natural healing processes and improving overall quality of life during and after treatment.
Eases Nausea and Digestive Upset: Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments often cause nausea, vomiting, and changes in appetite, which can make it difficult for patients to maintain proper nutrition and energy levels. Research shows that acupuncture can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, while also supporting digestive function and improving appetite. By stimulating key acupuncture points, it helps regulate the nervous system and gastrointestinal activity, allowing patients to maintain strength, comfort, and overall well-being throughout treatment.
Reduces Fatigue and Boosts Energy: Persistent fatigue is one of the most common and challenging side effects during and after cancer treatment. Research indicates that acupuncture can help regulate the nervous system, improve blood flow, and support metabolic function, which may reduce feelings of exhaustion and restore vitality. By promoting relaxation, enhancing circulation, and supporting the body’s natural energy pathways, acupuncture can help patients reclaim stamina, improve focus, and experience a greater sense of overall well-being throughout treatment and recovery.
Supports Nerve Health and Reduces Neuropathy: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) can cause tingling, numbness, burning, or pain in the hands and feet, which may interfere with daily activities and overall quality of life. Research shows that acupuncture can stimulate nerve repair, improve circulation, and modulate pain signals, helping to reduce neuropathic symptoms. Patients often report improvements in sensation, decreased discomfort, and enhanced mobility, making acupuncture a gentle, drug-free option to support nerve health and promote functional recovery during and after cancer treatment.
Balances Hormones and Alleviates Hot Flashes: Hormone therapies and other breast cancer treatments can often trigger hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and sleep disturbances, affecting both comfort and quality of life. Research suggests that acupuncture can help regulate the endocrine system and modulate the nervous system, providing natural relief from these symptoms without additional medication. By promoting physiological balance and reducing stress, acupuncture can help patients sleep better, feel more comfortable, and maintain emotional stability throughout treatment and recovery.
Calms Anxiety and Improves Sleep: The emotional impact of a breast cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment can lead to anxiety, depression, and insomnia, which in turn can affect physical recovery and overall well-being. Research indicates that acupuncture can promote relaxation, reduce stress hormone levels, and support healthy nervous system function, helping to calm the mind and body. Patients often report improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of emotional balance, making it an effective, non-pharmaceutical tool for supporting mental and emotional wellness during and after treatment.
Supports Immune Function and Recovery: Acupuncture has been shown to help regulate immune response, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair following surgery or treatment. Cancer treatments can temporarily weaken the immune system and slow the body’s natural healing processes. Research suggests that acupuncture can help modulate immune function, reduce inflammation, and support tissue repair, creating an environment that promotes recovery. By enhancing the body’s natural resilience, acupuncture can help patients heal more effectively and regain strength and vitality during and after treatment.
Acupuncture offers gentle, supportive care that addresses both the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer treatment. By easing pain, reducing fatigue and nausea, and promoting relaxation and balance, it helps patients feel stronger, more resilient, and more empowered. With consistent support, acupuncture can be a valuable tool for reclaiming vitality and moving forward with hope and confidence throughout the cancer journey.
Acupuncture: A Gentle Partner to Conventional Treatment
It’s important to note that acupuncture is not a replacement for medical cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Instead, it serves as a complementary therapy, working hand-in-hand with conventional care to enhance comfort, ease side effects, and support the body’s natural healing process.
Extensive research supports acupuncture’s benefits for people undergoing cancer treatment:
Studies from major cancer centers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute show that acupuncture can reduce pain, nausea, fatigue, hot flashes, and anxiety, improving quality of life for patients during and after treatment.
A 2023 systematic review in the journal Cancer found that acupuncture significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and improved nerve function in multiple randomized controlled trials.
Research published in JAMA Oncology demonstrated that acupuncture was as effective as medication in reducing joint pain from aromatase inhibitors, a common side effect of hormone therapy in breast cancer patients.
Additional studies report improvements in sleep quality, mood, and overall well-being, reinforcing acupuncture’s role in supporting the whole person throughout recovery.
Acupuncture is recognized by many leading oncology programs as a safe, evidence-based, and holistic therapy that empowers patients to play an active role in their healing.
Healing the Whole Person – Body, Mind, and Spirit
Breast cancer changes lives, but with the right support, recovery can bring renewal and transformation. Dr. Cindi Ignatovsky has over two decades of experience providing personalized, integrative care for women’s health, chronic pain, fertility, hormonal balance, and cancer support.
Her approach combines professional expertise with heartfelt compassion, creating a calm and nurturing environment where patients can find relief from physical symptoms, emotional balance, and renewed vitality. Many women report improvements in pain, energy, and overall well-being after just a few visits. For breast cancer patients and survivors, Dr. Cindi offers a safe, supportive space to rebuild strength, reconnect with their bodies, and move forward with confidence.
Whether you’re currently undergoing treatment, in remission, or supporting a loved one, acupuncture provides a path toward comfort, balance, and empowerment. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, give yourself the care and support you deserve and take the next step toward healing.
Text 408-761-6251, or fill out the online contact form to schedule your consultation today and discover how holistic care can make a difference in your recovery journey.
Located in Campbell, CA, serving San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and the South Bay Area. •
