Katherine Kim Acupuncture Arts 24 Years | Trusted Family Wellness Expertise | Acupuncture, Nutrition & Mind-Body Counseling | CT, NY & Virtual

Holistic Care During & After
Cancer Treatment (2025)

Acupuncture is an evidence-based, non-pharmacological therapy that may alleviate cancer treatment side effects, enhance patient resilience, and improve quality of life.

Dr. Kim has 24 years of clinical expertise including as an Oncology acupuncturist in private practice, William Beaumont Oncology Dept, and currently at Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute (St. Vincent's Medical Center) in Bridgeport, CT. 

Dr. Kim provides a combination of acupuncture, nutritional counseling, and mind-body therapies for:

• Cancer Pain Management: General cancer pain, musculoskeletal pain, surgical pain, scar therapy (reducing adhesions, improving tissue mobility).
• Neuropathy & Circulation: Peripheral neuropathy (hands and feet), lymphedema, peripheral edema.
• Stress & Anxiety: Mood swings, depression, fear, worry, PTSD, etc.
• Digestive Issues: Nausea and vomiting (chemotherapy-induced, post-operative), constipation, diarrhea, gastrointestinal dysregulation.
• Energy & Cognitive Function: Fatigue, exhaustion, brain fog, etc.
• Sleep Health: Insomnia, restless sleep, racing mind, frequent waking, etc.
  
• Chemo-induced Menopause: Hot flashes, night sweats.
• Appetite & Metabolism: Loss of appetite, binge eating, weight fluctuations.
• Head, Face & Jaw: Migraines, tension headaches, TMJ dysfunction (jaw clenching, teeth grinding, bruxism).
• Mind-Body Connection: Providing mindfulness-based stress management, self-care skills, as well as mindset tools for the healing journey.
• Increasing Patient's Resilience & Enhancing Quality of Life: Reducing symptom burden, improving overall well-being, and supporting recovery during and after cancer treatment.

Testimonials from patients who have received acupuncture treatments:

Pain, Neuropathy & Musculoskeletal Issues

• “My hip pain is better. I was surprised by how much my hip felt better. I don’t have to sit sideways anymore.” (D.S., 60s)
• Sciatica: "I have ‘100% relief’ after acupuncture. No pain or stiffness after sitting on the toilet. Better overall than before! Have not had any days of severe pain.” (G.F., 50s)
• “Pain made it scary before. I have more confidence now that I can do things again.” (S.C., 69)
• "My knee pain is so much better. I can go down the stairs using both legs now instead of one by one. When I don’t feel the pain, I just want it to stay that way."
• Knee pain: "It’s getting better. It is effective. I have hope. I told my husband that it feels better.” (S.C., 60s)
• Neck pain: "It's hardly bothering me today. I can turn easier." (D.F., 60s)
• Neuropathy: "It doesn’t feel as heavy, feels more flexible.” Patient reported improvements in foot/ankle issues that she had for nearly 40 years. (J.E., 60s)
• "I have no problems with it, no pain." Pain improved in just two sessions. Patient raised and clasped both hands behind her head with ease. (M.J., 61)
• Scar therapy: “I feel more movement around the scar than before. It’s definitely getting better.”
• “My shoulder and breast pain feels better. It feels more normal. Before it hurt and was achey. I didn’t feel pain this week. I did some light lifting and it didn’t bother me. Reaching up doesn’t hurt anymore”. (After 1 session) 
• Armpit pain (axillary neuropathy): “It was numb but it’s not as numb as it was. It’s mild now.” (after 1 acupuncture session, no rehab or other exercise) 
• Axillary web syndrome: "My PT said that my range of motion was better yesterday and the scar tissue under my left arm felt better. I agree, I don't feel it as much now. I could do all the reps (physical therapy exercises) and I was fine. My PT was saying 'What is going on?' because before I could only do 3 or 4 reps max." (Testimonial from oncology patient/retired orthopedic doctor, 63) (After 4 sessions)
• Breast and chest pain: “I told you I had tight muscles (breast/pectoralis). It’s all soft now! It’s like magic, its so weird! It was so tight before but it’s totally gone. It got really soft! Very nice! Before I felt my breast was hard but now. It feels so different before and after acupuncture. I’ve been telling my friends, this is crazy! How did this happen?”  (After 3 sessions)

Insomnia

• "I slept for a solid three hours after (the) first acupuncture appointment. I can't remember sleeping like that in forever.'" (H.H., 50s)
• "I fall asleep easier now versus when I began coming for acupuncture." (J.B. 40s)

Menopausal symptoms, Night Sweats & Hot Flashes

• “I haven't had a single hot flash all week!” (A.C., 50s)
• “My hot flashes and night sweats have gotten much better. I used to wake up drenched but that hasn’t happened in a while.” (D.A., 70s)
• "I don't remember the last time I had a hot flash. It's been a while! I hope they never come back!" (B.D., 50s) 

Fatigue & Energy Levels

• “I have more energy and was able to get more done this past week.” (M.A., 50s)
• Patient reports improvement in energy levels, +7 out of 10, and less fatigue.  "That’s really good, especially for me.” (K.B., 40s)
• "I can now climb two flights of stairs without resting." (H.H., 70s) 

Constipation & Digestive Health

• "The acupuncture seems to be doing something because after I come here, I can go for several days; usually I can't go at all." (C.B., 30s)
• "Patient said her stress level reduced after the first acupuncture session and her constipation relieved." (D.F., 63) 
• "I went five times this week, and usually I only go one or twice a week. I'm getting the signal to go today. It's helping." (MHH, 40s) 

Skepticism about Acupuncture 

“I have natural skepticism (about acupuncture) and hope it does work, and think it can work, but I found that when I was laying here, it was relaxing, definitely relaxing plus, beyond that. I felt at ease." 

Mood, Relaxation & Emotional Well-Being

• “I feel a little lighter, like something lifted.” (B.C. 40s)
• “My stress is low, which is an improvement for me.” (T.B., 50s)
• “I feel more relaxed after acupuncture. When I arrived here I was very emotional but after treatment, feeling 100% better.” (C.D. 40s)
• “Very comfortable and relaxing.” (D.A. 30s)
• “I feel a bit more relaxed!” (C.R. 50s)
• "This is so relaxing.'" (H.H., 50s)
• "My anxiety is a 2 out of 10 now. I'm doing good. I feel calmer. I didn't want to go on medications. I prefer a natural way." (C.B., 50s)
• “After acupuncture, I felt relaxed, not grumpy.” (J.C., 40s) 

Mindfulness, Meditation & Breathwork Instruction

• “I had a scan yesterday and the machine was down so I did my breathwork and counting while I was waiting and it was magical.” (C.A., 40s)
• “At night when I breathe, my mind calms down and I can get to sleep. Slowly, I am learning.” (S.C., 69)

Anosmia & Dysgeusia (Loss of Smell & Taste)

• “There's a slight improvement in taste. Spicier foods are clearer now compared to before.” (K.B., 40s)

Dysphagia (Swallowing Issues)

• Patient reports improvement in swallowing. ‘I'm not choking or trying as hard to swallow as before.’” (M.J., 60s)

References:

Acupuncture in cancer care: recommendations for safe practice.
Supportive Care in Cancer (2024) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-024-08386-6

Acupuncture for Neuropathy, Cancer Pain, Anxiety, and More.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2024)
https://www.mskcc.org/news/acupuncture-for-neuropathy-cancer-pain-anxiety-and-more

Can Acupuncture Help Cancer Survivors with Chronic Pain?
National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2021/acupuncture-for-pain-cancer-survivors

FOR ONCOLOGY CARE:

Patients from Hartford Healthcare Cancer Institute, St. Vincent's Medical Center (Bridgeport, CT) are provided six sessions by appointment only.
(Weds at the Wellness Spa)

All patients who are NOT patients at St. V's are welcome to treatments at our Westport office. Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri by appt only.