Acupuncture

Community Cancer Center offers acupuncture as part of its wellness mission to help patients heal both the physical and emotional stress caused by cancer.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture applies needles, heat, pressure and other treatments to one or more areas on the skin as determined by patient symptoms. Used in China for thousands of years, acupuncture is a simple way to restore energy flow and relieve pain. It has been recommended to assist with pain management in the United States for nearly 200 years.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

Yes. Massage therapy can be provided safely for most cancer patients. Treatments are customized for each patient and take into account the type of cancer, areas that have been recently treated with radiation or surgery, and other relevant medical conditions. Close communication between the patient, physician and therapist allows for the safe delivery of massage while maximizing the therapeutic benefits.

What are the benefits of massage therapy?

Acupuncture therapy can vastly improve the quality of life for a patient undergoing cancer treatment. This painless procedure complements other treatments by pinpointing the areas of the body that are experiencing discomfort, helping to alleviate pain while boosting overall wellness. Acupuncture is also known to reduce the need for pain medication and lower side effects caused by cancer treatments.

Benefits may include:

  • Controlled pain and expedited healing
  • Reduced nausea and fatigue
  • Reduced depression and anxiety
  • Improved sleep
  • Enhanced appetite
  • Decreased breathlessness
  • Sharpened mental abilities
  • Improved immune function

Will insurance cover acupuncture?

Many commercial insurance carriers will pay for acupuncture. For details on specific carriers, please contact our insurance specialist. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information please contact the Gainesville location at (352) 331-0900 or the Lake City location at (386) 755-0601.

When is acupuncture offered?

Acupuncture is currently offered at the following times:

  • Gainesville location: Wednesdays – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Fridays – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
  • Lake City location: Thursdays – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Please visit the front desk or your patient navigator for information or to make an appointment, and be sure to check our event calendar for more details or potential changes to the weekly schedule.