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Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
Xerostomia or dry mouth is a common condition and can be a
consequence of radiotherapy or medication and it can cause a
great deal of distress both physically and emotionally.
There have been reports that acupuncture treatment can reduce
the severity of xerostomia and now a randomised controlled trial,
funded by Cancer Research UK and run by the Brighton and Sussex
Medical school, is looking into whether this can improve the
evidence base for acupuncture treatment specifically in cases
of radiation-induced xerostomia.
I have been an acupuncturist on one of the ongoing studies
running at Mount Vernon Cancer Hospital in Middlesex. The treatment
involves needling 3 auricular (ear) points (Salivary Gland 2,
Modified Point Zero, Shenmen) together with LI-20 and
an extra point near LI-1. The needles are retained for 20 minutes
and the treatment repeated weekly for 8 weeks.
References
Johnstone, P.A.S., Niemtzow, R.C., & Rifflenburgh, R.H. (2002)
Acupuncture for Xerostomia. Cancer, 94:1151-1156.
Morganstein W. M. (2005) Auricular Acupuncture in The Treatment
of Xerostomia. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 79:5-8.
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