Healing Therapies

Click to ViewHealing complementary therapies provide an integrative treatment approach which involves both Eastern methods and Western conventional methods. The combination of Eastern and Western methods can provide people with cancer the ability to take a proactive role in their treatment and recovery. Healing therapies is not an either/or approach but rather it is in addition to conventional cancer treatments.

It works alongside traditional approaches such as chemo and radiation. Healing therapies alleviate the side effects which are experienced before and after surgery and during treatment. Healing therapies can help people with cancer by calming their mind. These therapies often help cancer patients move forward and continue their treatment program.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture, an Eastern technique that can complement Western medicine and treatment plans for people with cancer. Acupuncture can reduce pain and diminish the nausea and fatigue of chemotherapy or radiation treatments. It can lessen the side effects of neuropathy, reduce upset stomachs and vomiting, and can help with appetite. Acupuncture can help calm the cancer patient through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and through the treatment period.

Healing therapeutic massage and acupressure

Healing therapeutic massage can ease stress and induce relaxation. Massage with a focus on acupressure points can reduce pain, nausea, anxiety and fatigue.

Visualization, deep breathing meditation, and calming meditation

Visualization, imagery work, deep breathing meditation, yoga, and calming meditation focus on stress reduction and relaxation. These techniques help cancer patients reduce psychological and physical symptoms. They help cancer patients face the challenges of cancer. They help people with cancer stay focused on positive thinking, an integral part of the overall healing process.

 

"Complementary cancer therapies can make a profound difference in quality of life with cancer. There is growing evidence that some of these approaches may also contribute to delaying or preventing recurrence of some cancers, and thus to life extension as well. Providing support to people with cancer to access complementary therapies is a great contribution to cancer patients."

Michael Lerner
President
Commonweal