A study published in 2001 determined that acupuncture was effective at treating dry mouth. The dry mouth occurred as a result of radiation treatments for head and neck cancers. The International Journal of Radiation Oncology published the study which concluded: “Acupuncture reduces dry mouth in some patients who are otherwise not getting results with best current management.”(1)
Acupuncture For Dry Mouth
Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. Because radiation treatment for cancer can in many cases damage the salivary glands, any natural treatment that can assist in their repair is greatly needed. Acupuncture can help with dry mouth not only due to radiation therapy. Acupuncture can also help dry mouth due to auto-immune conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome.
Another study on dry mouth and acupuncture was published in 2012 in The Annals of Oncology and concluded: “Eight sessions of weekly group acupuncture compared with group oral care education provide significantly better relief of symptoms in patients suffering from chronic radiation-induced dry mouth.”(2)
Dry Mouth and Acupuncture at The Blue Ridge Clinic
We have treated dry mouth with acupuncture for more than a decade out our Asheville acupuncture clinic. If you would like a free consultation to see if acupuncture can help your dry mouth condition, simply visit the contact us page.
You can view both studies on Pubmed here: