Complementary Therapies

Do you or someone you care about have cancer? Alongside your

conventional treatment, there is a huge variety of natural therapies

available. Here are some common ones, and some information to help

you decide what is right for your situation.

Massage Therapy

Research has shown that certain types of massage make people feel emotionally better, at least in the short term. There are variety of different types of massage therapies, including remedial massage, shiatsu and reflexology. It is

thought that massage may also help with physical symptoms.

Meditation

Regular meditation can help calm your mind and enhance your health and wellbeing. Cancer patients

tend to use meditation to help ease anxiety, stress, pain and sleeping problems. As with massage therapy, there

are many different types of meditation.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical system that involves inserting fine needles just under the skin into specific pressure points around the body. One of the

main reasons people with cancer use acupuncture is to help with pain and nausea.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is based on a belief that ‘like cures like’ – that illness can be cured by taking a very small dose of a substance that, if taken by a healthy person, would

produce symptoms like those being treated. Homeopathic remedies are water or alcohol based solutions that contain

tiny amounts of certain plant, mineral and animal substances. Homeopaths are of the belief that the

remedies stimulate the body to heal itself.

Herbal remedies

Herbal medicine uses roots, stems, leaves flowers or seeds of plants to improve health, prevent disease and

treat illness. It has developed from centuries of practice and observation of many different cultures

and traditions. Herbalists aim to restore your body and its ability to protect and heal itself.

Chiropractics

Chiropractors use their hands to manipulate your bones and muscles, especially those of your spine.

No drugs or surgery is involved. Chiropractors believe that if your spine and nervous system are healthy then the rest of your body will be in good

health and well-being.

Good luck! Whichever complementary therapy you feel

is right for you, it is best to discuss your choice with your doctor before going ahead

with it. It is important to note that these therapies are not proven to cure cancer.

Rather, they can be helpful in managing its symptoms. These treatments should be

undergone together with a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise

where possible.

References

• http://images.google.com.au/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

• ‘Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies,’ Cancer Council Victoria, 2009