Akupunktur ve Kanser

Öz

Akupunktur, farklı yöntemlerle vücudun belirli noktaları ve buralardan geçen sinirlerin uyarıldığı ve birtakım semptomlarda rahatlama sağlandığı bir tamamlayıcı ve alternatif tıp yöntemidir. Geleneksel Çin Tıbbı’nda akupunkturun etki mekanizması, enerji akımı gibi bilimsel olmayan temellere dayandırılsa da; yapılan çalışmalarla akupunkturun etkisinin sinirlerin uyarılmasıyla salınan maddeler ve plasebo etkisine dayandığı gösterilmiştir. Akupunktur, kanser hastalarının da sıkça başvurduğu bir yöntemdir. Ancak akupunkturun kanserde tek başına etkin bir tedavi yöntemi olduğuna dair bilimsel bir kanıt yoktur. Kanser hastaları, akupunktur yöntemini kansere ve/veya kanser tedavisine bağlı belirtilerde azalma sağlamak amacıyla, standart tedaviye ek olarak tamamlayıcı bir tedavi yöntemi olarak kullanabilir. Yapılan çalışmalarla; akupunkturun kanser hastalarında ağrı, halsizlik, bulantı, kusma, psikolojik problemler, ağız kuruluğu, lenfödem, lökopeni, sıcak basmaları, duyu bozuklukları, nefes darlığı semptomlarında rahatlama sağlayabileceğine yönelik bulgular elde edilse de, yeterli değildir. Akupunkturun kanser hastalarındaki etkileri ve kullanım alanlarına dair, yapılacak kapsamlı ve iyi tasarlanmış çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Akupunktur, Kanser, Alternatif tıp, Tamamlayıcı tıp

Acupuncture and Cancer

Abstract

Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative medical method, helpful in relieving certain symptoms, that involves stimulating certain points on the body as well as nerves passing though those points, with the use of various techniques. Although the mechanism of action of acupuncture is based on some unscientific foundations such as energy flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine, studies have shown that the effect of acupuncture is based on the placebo effect and the substances released in consequence of the stimulation of the nerves. Acupuncture is a method that is often tried by cancer patients. However, there is no scientific evidence showing that acupuncture alone is an effective treatment for cancer. Cancer patients should use acupuncture technique as a complementary treatment in addition to the standard treatment, with intent to ensure a reduction in symptoms caused by cancer and/or cancer treatment. Some findings obtained from studies have suggested that acupuncture can provide relief from some symptoms such as pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, psychological problems, dryness of the mouth xerostomia , lymphedema, leukopenia, hot flashes, sensory impairment, and shortness of breath in cancer patients; however, these findings are not adequate. Comprehensive and well-designed studies to be carried out on the effects of acupuncture in cancer patients as well as its areas of use are needed

Keywords

• Acupuncture, Cancer, Alternative medicine

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