02 9231 3377

Acupuncture Sydney CBD/City
Call us now on 02 9231 3377

Conveniently located on Level 10,
The Dymocks Building,
428 George Street, Sydney CBD.

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema

Surgery for the treatment of breast cancer often involves either the biopsy or removal of lymph nodes. This is done in the region of the arm pit. Side effects of this surgery can lead to an accumulation of excess lymphatic fluid and/or a condition called Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema (BCRL). This most likely happens in the same area (under the arms). The most common symptoms of BCRL include swelling, stiffness as well as thickening and/or roughening of the skin.

A group of researchers from the Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine conducted a clinical trial treating BCRL using acupuncture. Subjects were randomly assigned to an active acupuncture treatment group or a control group. The active acupuncture involved a combined treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion (which was used to heat the in situ needles). Each treatment lasted for 30 minutes and was administered for 30 consecutive days straight. Those is in the control group were given Diosmin. The subjects who received the acupuncture experienced significantly greater improvement than those in the control group. The benefits included:

  • A reduction the in circumference of swelling;
  • Increased range of shoulder motion, and;
  • Improved quality of life.

Yao, C., Xi, Y., Chen, L., et al (2016). Effects of warm acupuncture on breast cancer –related chronic lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial. Current Oncology. Feb: 23(1): p27-34.