Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of balancing acupuncture therapy in the treatment of chest pain following lung cancer. Methods: Twenty-four cases of primary bronchial lung cancer with chest pain were treated by balancing acupuncture therapy; the relief of chest pain and its relief time were observed. Results: Among the 24 cases undergoing balancing acupuncture therapy, the chest pain was absolutely relieved in 3 cases, partially relieved in 13 cases, lightly relieved in 4 cases and not relieved in 4 cases; the total response rate was 83.3%. In terms of the relief time, 9 cases responded to the balancing acupuncture therapy in 0-3 min, accounting for 37.5%; 5 cases responded in 4-6 min, accounting for 20.8%; the average responding time was (4.85±1.45) min. Conclusion: Balancing acupuncture therapy is rapid-acting, safe, convenient and inexpensive in the treatment of chest pain following lung cancer. © Shanghai Research Institute of Acupuncture and Meridian and Springer-Verlag GmbH 2008.