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June1952's avatar
June1952
Member
7 years ago

Has anyone tried acupuncture for lymph build-up ?

I had a non-skin-sparing and non-nipple-sparing mastectomy in late 2014.  (No reconstruction was offered).  I have been seeing a masseur for the treatment of fluid build-up and she used the Chinese cups when it was really bad.  I have now moved and have not been able to find a reasonably-priced masseur with the remedial training.
An acupuncturist has been recommended.
If you have had acupuncture for this can you please let me know how often you need it to be done ?
Thanks in advance
Summer  

16 Replies

  • Thanks for posting the update - that’s encouraging to hear that the acupuncture was able to help you with your swelling.  

    I’ve been seeing an acupuncturist for other issues.  Since breast surgery, I’ve asked her to not put needles in my left arm.  She’s been fine with that, saying that she can treat my neck or wherever by putting needles in other parts of my body.  Today for the first time I’ve asked her to focus on acupuncture for swelling/fluid retention in my left breast. It’s too soon to tell if it works well, but I’ll keep going with it for a few weekly sessions yet. 
  • Update:
    Acupuncturist cleaned the pinprick areas to prevent infection but as she said, any injection has some risk.  None of the needles went anywhere near the swelling - my feet and tummy were favourites !  She also did some flame cupping which was interesting - different to the rubber cups.  Good news is that the swelling came down a huge amount in the one treatment and I feel comfortable with minimal swelling and I have no pain.  Recommend it.  Summer   :)
  • Me too @Blossom1961. After a brief flare of hope that curcumin was going to do the job, tonight my ankles are killing me. I'll keep going with them of course, but acupuncture will be my next experiment. My oncologist told me that a recent study reported some success with the bone pain associated with AIs. K xox
  • You can get acupuncture that is needle free now. I hate needles but am considering giving this new sort a go next time I need relief.
  • Just ascertain whether the pinpricks carry any risk of infection into the fluid areas. I don't know enough about acupuncture to know how deep needles go and they may present no problem at all, but needle borne bacterial infection is a risk for aspirations of fluid build up and one of the reasons that massage is preferred. Best wishes.
  • Go for it - nothing tried nothing gained.  For a brief hour of pinpricks it may be just the thing.  I have had acupuncture over the years for a variety of issues (hot flushes, pain & inflammation and for weight gain/loss) and all have been successful.  I would recommend anyone give it a go.  Chat to the therapist and you will find he/she is open about the possible success.
    Good luck.  Keep us informed.
    Anne