Acupuncture for Cancer Care, Comfort, and Recovery in Crofton, MD
A cancer diagnosis changes everything. Whether you are preparing for treatment, managing side effects like fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, or brain fog, recovering post-treatment, or living in remission, acupuncture offers compassionate, evidence-informed support at every stage of your journey.
At Complete Care Acupuncture in Crofton, Maryland, we have been providing specialized oncology acupuncture care for over a decade. Our practitioners bring advanced training and deep clinical experience with cancer patients, and we work in tandem with your existing treatments to support your body and wellbeing throughout treatment and beyond.
Why Acupuncture for Cancer Care?
Research supports the use of acupuncture as an integrative therapy for cancer patients, with growing evidence for its role in managing chemotherapy-related nausea, treatment fatigue, pain, neuropathy, and anxiety. Here is how we support patients at each stage.
1. Coping with the Initial Diagnosis
Hearing the words “you have cancer” can bring a flood of emotions—fear, confusion, sadness, and uncertainty. Acupuncture offers more than physical relief; it can help soothe your mind, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of calm as you process this life-altering news.
2. Preparing for Treatment
Cancer treatments can be demanding on your body and spirit. Acupuncture helps prepare you physically and emotionally, boosting your resilience and balancing your body as you get ready for what’s ahead. Together, we’ll design a plan to optimize your lifestyle, improve energy levels, and support your immune system.
3. Easing Treatment Side Effects
Treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery often come with side effects such as fatigue, nausea, pain, and neuropathy. Acupuncture, along with Chinese herbal medicine, can provide powerful relief, helping you manage these challenges and improving your overall sense of well-being as you undergo treatment.
4. Healing After Treatment
Even after cancer treatment ends, its effects on your body can linger. Acupuncture can help restore your energy, reduce pain, and rebalance your body’s systems so you can rebuild your strength and reclaim your life.
5. Thriving in Remission
Being in remission is a milestone worth celebrating, but it can also bring its own set of concerns. How can you maintain your health? How do you manage the fear of recurrence? Our care doesn’t stop after treatment. We work with you to create a sustainable wellness plan, so you can live fully, with peace of mind.
6. Comfort in End-of-Life Care
For those in the final stages of life, acupuncture offers compassionate comfort. By easing pain, calming the mind, and supporting emotional and spiritual well-being, we help make this transition as peaceful and dignified as possible.
Meet Your Cancer Care Practitioners
Not every acupuncturist has specialized experience working with cancer patients. At Complete Care, we offer dedicated appointments with practitioners who have focused training in the unique physical and emotional challenges of a cancer journey.
Sarah Damiani, M.A., M.Ac., L.Ac. is the founder of Complete Care Acupuncture and the clinic’s lead Cancer Care practitioner. With over a decade of experience treating cancer patients in Crofton and the greater Maryland area, Sarah combines deep knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine with genuine compassion for the complexity of a cancer diagnosis. Having dealt with her own cancer journey, Sarah is well equipped to understand the complex experience that comes with a cancer diagnosis. She has helped patients navigate every stage of treatment, from initial diagnosis through remission, and has received some of the most meaningful patient feedback of any practitioner at the clinic.
All practitioners at Complete Care are licensed by the Maryland Board of Acupuncture and work collaboratively to ensure your care is coordinated and consistent throughout your treatment.
Read more about our practitioners here.
Your Partner in Healing: Acupuncture for Cancer Care and Recovery
At Complete Care Acupuncture, we understand that no two cancer journeys are the same. If you have questions about whether our Cancer Care program is right for you, we welcome you to reach out before booking.
Commonly Asked Questions on Acupuncture for Cancer Care
Do I have to have a current cancer diagnosis to book this type of appointment?
No; any patient with a cancer diagnosis in their medical history, no matter how long ago, is eligible for this specialized care.
Do I have to book this type of appointment if I have or have had cancer?
All of our practitioners are equipped to treat cancer-related conditions, so you are welcome to book a regular acupuncture appointment with any practitioner. However, if you’d prefer to see a practitioner with specialized expertise in this area, you are welcome to book a Cancer Care-specific appointment.
How is this type of appointment different from a regular acupuncture appointment?
Our practitioners offering Cancer Care appointments have a specialized focus in treating cancer patients and additional training and experience in the unique challenges cancer patients face.
If I am already a patient with a different practitioner at Complete Care, should I switch to a practitioner that offers Cancer Care appointments?
There is no need to switch practitioners if you have already established a healthy treatment relationship with your current practitioner and are satisfied with your level of service and results.
Are children with cancer eligible for these types of appointments?
Yes, children age 5 and older are eligible. If you have a child younger than 5 with a cancer diagnosis, please contact us first so that we can coordinate the best plan for their care.
What about follow-up appointments? Are they specialized as well?
Yes; you can book a regular acupuncture follow-up visit with your Cancer Care practitioner and you will receive the same specialized care from them at your follow-up visits.
How can I learn about my Cancer Care practitioner before I book an appointment?
You can read about our practitioners here!
Can I utilize the Community Acupuncture clinic for Cancer Care appointments?
Cancer patients are best served in our private clinic; however, upon being evaluated by a Cancer Care practitioner, they can consider whether the community room is suited for some or all of your follow-up appointments, depending on the specifics of your case.
Will my insurance cover my Cancer Care treatments?
All insurance plans differ in whether they cover acupuncture, and for what conditions. If you aren’t sure about your coverage, feel free to securely send us your insurance details, and we will gather the information about your policy and reach out to you to discuss.
Can acupuncture help with chemotherapy side effects?
Yes. Acupuncture has a strong evidence base for reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, and is increasingly used alongside conventional oncology care to manage fatigue, pain, neuropathy, and anxiety. At Complete Care, our Cancer Care practitioners tailor each treatment to what you are experiencing at that point in your treatment cycle.
Is it safe to have acupuncture during active cancer treatment?
Yes! Acupuncture is considered safe during chemotherapy and radiation when performed by a practitioner experienced in oncology care. We review your full treatment history before your first visit and take any special precautions that may be pertinent in your specific case.
Start Your Healing Journey with Us
“Issues I’ve had the benefit of treating include anxiety, blood/iron issues, clarity, depression, digestion, nutrition, pain, sports injury, sleep inconsistencies, stress and weight. When I had cancer, Sarah provided me with more information, inspiration, and empathy than all of the doctors I saw, combined. I’ve recommended Sarah to friends, family, and even strangers – and will continue to do so. Whether you’ve had acupuncture before or a first-timer, the experience is like none other, and you will be better for it.”
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
You do not have to manage this transition on your own. If you are ready to feel more balanced and more like yourself, we would love to help.