Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture for Breast Cancer Palliative Care and Adjuvant Therapy

Table 3

Contraindications and cautions for the use of acupuncture in breast cancer patients.

	(1) Extreme needle phobia, very “strong reactors” to acupuncture
	(2) Coagulopathy
	(3) Immunocompromised patients or neutropenia; (less 500/mm^3)—risk of infection
	(4) In young patients (age less than 18 years old); postsplenectomy—risk of infection
	(5) Avoid directly onto a tumor nodule or into an ulcerative area
	(6) In areas of spinal instability—risk of cord compression secondary to acupuncture’s muscle relaxing properties
	(7) Into a prosthesis—risk of leakage of saline/silicone
	(8) Over intracranial deficits following neurosurgery
	(9) Pregnancy
	(10) Confused patients