Acupuncture, planned around your treatment days
Acupuncture uses very fine, single-use needles placed at a few points on the body, usually the arms, legs, back or ears. At Finch it is always planned alongside your oncology care, never in place of it.
People in or after cancer care come for a quieter half hour in the middle of a hard week, and some come for specific things they are living with. Some notice a difference and some do not.
What a visit is like, in order
Afterward you may feel relaxed, sleepy or a little sore. A small bruise can show up at a needle site.
- 01
Step 1: We talk
About 15 minutes on your treatment dates, your medicines and how the week has been.
- 02
Step 2: We choose
A few points, a chair or a table, and what to leave out today. You can change it at any time.
- 03
Step 3: The needles
Fine needles, placed gently and left in for about 20 minutes while you rest under a blanket.
- 04
Step 4: We plan
We take them out, check how you feel and agree on the next visit.
Tell us first
Say any of these when you book, and again at the visit.
Pregnancy
Some points are avoided in pregnancy, so we need to know.
Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder
We choose needles and places with extra care, or use needle-free care.
A pacemaker or other device
We do not use electro-stimulation with a pacemaker.
Lymph nodes removed, or swelling
No needles in an arm or leg on that side.
Low blood counts
We may wait, adjust, or use ear seeds and acupressure.
Fear of needles
Say so. We can start with acupressure and go no further.
How many visits, and what this does not do
We make a plan with you for the next few visits and look at it again each time, because your calendar and your energy change. We do not sell packages.
Acupuncture does not replace your oncology care, and we do not change your treatment or your medicines. For a fever, new bleeding, sudden swelling or shortness of breath, call your oncology team the same day. For chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.
Try a first acupuncture visit
Book a first visit, or call to talk it through. Fees are explained on the how fees work page.