An international survey by the University of California, Irvine shows: Integrative therapies such as acupuncture have become established in cancer treatment worldwide. But access remains blocked for many patients – financial hurdles block medical progress.
The numbers are clear: Around 70 percent of oncologists surveyed worldwide rely on acupuncture and similar procedures to treat symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue and anxiety disorders. This emerges from a comprehensive study published by Alexandre Chan and his team in the specialist journal BMC Complementary Medicine & Therapies have published. Chan heads the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at UCI.
“Medical professionals around the world view these approaches not as an alternative, but as an essential complement to conventional cancer therapy,” explains Chan. The study covered eight global regions and is considered the most comprehensive assessment to date of the integration of acupuncture in oncology.
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But disillusionment follows quickly: Despite the high level of acceptance among professionals, around 80 percent of these therapies remain unused. Why? Costs, lack of insurance coverage and lack of training opportunities create massive barriers – particularly pronounced in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
While the UCI researchers are investigating the practical implementation, a parallel technical controversy is emerging: Which acupuncture method works best for osteoarthritis?
A critical statement in Journal of Pain Research questions recent study results on knee osteoarthritis. The original research suggested that electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture protected articular cartilage better than the classic manual technique. Sounds convincing – doesn’t it?
The critics doubt the comparability: Measuring mechanical stimulation through needles against physical energy effects through lasers or electricity requires stricter standardization. For doctors this means: The Art Acupuncture could be just as crucial as the fundamental decision to do so.
Long-term effects surprise even experts
The current discussion is based on solid foundations. The “BackInAction” study from September 2025, published in JAMA Network Openprovided impressive data: For older patients with chronic back pain, acupuncture significantly outperformed standard care – even months after the end of treatment.
“What surprised me was that the effects lasted up to twelve months, even though the treatment only lasted three months,” said Dr. Gary Deng, director of the integrative oncology program at UCI Health. This sustainability fundamentally distinguishes acupuncture from painkillers, whose effects end when they are discontinued.
Insurance companies under pressure
The research situation is shifting the focus: the question is no longer “Does it work?” but rather “How do we create access?” The UCI data identifies insurance gaps as a key barrier. Industry experts expect increasing pressure on health insurance companies to reimburse acupuncture for chronic pain and cancer treatment in 2026.
In parallel, more precise comparative studies are likely to follow: laser versus electrical stimulation, needle versus needle. The era of simple placebo comparisons seems to be over.
For patients with chronic pain, a clear message will emerge at the end of 2025: The evidence is there, the experts are convinced – now the structures must follow suit. The question remains: how much longer?
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PS: If studies show that acupuncture provides long-term relief for chronic back pain, acupressure can be an immediately usable addition to everyday life. The free acupressure report explains which points often provide the quickest relief for osteoarthritis and back pain, how to use the techniques safely and when a medical consultation is necessary. The report comes free by email and has practical illustrations – ideal if you want to do something about pain immediately. Get your free acupressure report by email
