Acupuncture for Back Pain in Colon Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The research evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture as an alternative or supplementary therapy for back pain and some of musculoskeletal pains. On the other hand, the use of opioids in the management of cancer pain is common. The effectiveness of acupuncture on the amount of pain and the level of cortisol in opioid-dependent patients has not been addressed so far. Case Presentation: A 54-year-old man with metastatic cancer under chemotherapy and methadone maintenance treatment after 4 weeks of assessment at baseline received an auricular acupuncture treatment for 1 month. Saliva Cortisol Index was evaluated, using Salvi tests and the pain level was evaluated twice a week through a visual analog scale (VAS). Data were analyzed, using multiple baseline method in the form of pattern A-B. Conclusions: Primary outcome showed that cortisol levels decreased significantly during the acupuncture treatment. Secondary outcomes showed that acupuncture was accompanied by a decrease in the back pain. These findings, in addition to confirmation of the effectiveness of acupuncture on psychological and biological indicators, indicate the role of complementary therapies in cancer management and its side effects.