Can Acupuncture Help Support White Blood Cell Counts During Chemotherapy?
Acupuncture is increasingly used alongside conventional cancer treatment to help manage symptoms such as nausea, pain, fatigue and treatment-related discomfort. But could it also have a role in supporting white blood cell counts during chemotherapy?
Some research suggests it may. While the evidence is not yet conclusive, studies investigating acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced leukopenia have produced encouraging results.
Understanding White Blood Cell Counts
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are an essential part of the immune system. They help protect the body against infection and respond to disease.
Chemotherapy can suppress the bone marrow’s production of blood cells, including white blood cells. This is known as myelosuppression. When white blood cell counts fall below normal levels, the condition is called leukopenia.
Of particular concern is neutropenia, a reduction in neutrophils, the white blood cells responsible for defending against many bacterial and fungal infections.
For patients undergoing chemotherapy, low neutrophil counts can increase infection risk and may occasionally require adjustments to treatment schedules.
What Does the Research Say About Acupuncture?
Several clinical studies have investigated whether acupuncture can help improve white blood cell counts in patients receiving chemotherapy.
A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis involving 1,130 patients found that acupuncture was associated with improvements in white blood cell counts and reductions in chemotherapy-related bone marrow suppression.
A further systematic review published in 2024 reported similar promising findings, although the researchers highlighted limitations in study quality.
However, another large review published in 2024, examining acupuncture’s effects on immune and inflammatory markers in cancer patients, found no significant overall improvement in white blood cell or neutrophil counts.
So, while some findings are encouraging, we don’t yet have sufficient high-quality evidence to conclude that acupuncture reliably increases white blood cell counts or reduces infection risk during chemotherapy.
How Might Acupuncture Influence Immune Function?
Researchers are investigating several possible mechanisms through which acupuncture may influence immune and inflammatory responses.
These include interactions between the nervous and immune systems, changes in inflammatory signalling molecules known as cytokines, and effects on the activity of certain immune cells.
These mechanisms are interesting, particularly as we learn more about the relationship between the nervous system, inflammation and immune regulation.
However, changes in immune markers don’t necessarily translate into better resistance to infection or improved clinical outcomes. More research is needed to establish whether these biological effects have meaningful benefits for patients.
Acupuncture as Part of Integrative Cancer Care
Acupuncture can have a place in supportive cancer care, particularly for managing symptoms and improving quality of life during treatment and recovery.
For patients experiencing low white blood cell counts, acupuncture should be considered a complementary therapy rather than a replacement for established medical management.
Safety is particularly important during chemotherapy. Treatment needs to take account of current blood counts, the chemotherapy schedule and the patient’s overall health. Where appropriate, acupuncture should be coordinated with the treating oncology team.
Summing It Up
Research into acupuncture and white blood cell production is promising, but there are still important questions to answer.
For now, acupuncture’s strongest role in cancer care is as a supportive therapy, helping patients manage symptoms and maintain quality of life during what can be a physically and emotionally demanding period.
Whether it can also help reduce chemotherapy-related reductions in white blood cell counts remains an area worthy of further investigation.
If you’re undergoing cancer treatment and considering acupuncture, look for a registered practitioner with experience in integrative cancer care who is comfortable working alongside your medical team.
About the Author
Siegrid Delaney is a registered acupuncturist and Chinese herbal medicine practitioner with over 20 years of clinical experience. She founded West Street Wellbeing in Crows Nest, Sydney.
Siegrid has a particular interest in integrative cancer care, supporting patients during and after treatment through acupuncture and complementary therapies. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she brings both clinical experience and personal understanding to her work.
For more information, visit Acupuncture for Cancer Support.
References
- Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced leukopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (2022). PubMed
- Efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for leukopenia after chemotherapy or radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Integrative Medicine (2024), 68, 102373. Read study
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Acupuncture for Modulation of Immune and Inflammatory Markers in Cancer Patients. (2024). Read study
- Acupuncture in cancer care: recommendations for safe practice. Supportive Care in Cancer (2024), 32, 229. Read guidelines
Updated 27 October 2026
