Alternative Medicine For Treating Cancer Symptoms And Treatment Side Effects

Alternative medicine is a term used to describe a type of non-traditional method of treating symptoms of diseases, including cancer, and sometimes the side effects traditional treatments cause. This type of therapy can help improve a patient's quality of life when they are undergoing cancer treatment. Alternative methods can be appealing because they utilize the patient's body, mind, and substances only found in nature. While alternative therapies are not medically studied and FDA-approved as curative treatments, some patients have reported alternative methods to be effective. Some medical insurance companies are beginning to adopt and cover some widely accepted alternative treatment methods and therapies. However, patients need to do thorough research and speak to their cancer treatment team before seeking out methods of alternative medicine.

With this in mind, here is a small list of what methods are considered the most commonly utilized for alternative cancer treatment.

Acupuncture

A common type of alternative treatment utilized by many cancer patients is acupuncture, which is a procedure derived from ancient Chinese medicine that involves the placement of fine needles into the body at specific points. This method stimulates an affected individual's nerves to trigger the release endorphins in the brain and spinal cord to treat sickness. Acupuncture also stimulates a patient's body to release serotonin, which helps relieve pain and boosts feelings of wellbeing. Other symptoms individuals affected by cancer use acupuncture to alleviate are general weakness, fatigue, dry mouth, hot flushes, and breathlessness. Acupuncture is commonly used in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment to help with the relief of nausea and vomiting. Many cancer patients have utilized acupuncture following a surgical procedure done to treat their cancer. Studies show acupuncture helps with pain control and reduces the need for potent pain medications in some patients.

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Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of naturally occurring essential oils from plants to boost an individual's mental, physical, and spiritual health. Some cancer patients have reported certain types of aromatherapy have been effective at helping ease the adverse effects of traditional cancer treatments. Individuals with cancer utilize aromatherapy to decrease levels of anxiety, pain, stress, nausea, and vomiting that occurs as a result of their cancer or its treatment. Numerous essential oils are used in cancer patients that come from different plants, including geranium, tea tree, ginger, bergamot, roman chamomile, lavender, lemon, and cedarwood. Each essential oil is different from the next and has its own molecular makeup that produces its effects on the body. Aromatherapy is taken through indirect inhalation where the oil is placed in a device called a diffuser, which produces a fine mist containing the oil for the patient to inhale. Aromatherapy can also be directly inhaled or massaged into the patient's skin.

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Certain Herbs And Supplements

Certain herbs and substances may help improve a cancer patient's quality of life. Herbs and supplements are defined as an extract, metabolite, concentrate, or constituent derived from plant sources. These herbs and supplements often come in capsules, gel caps, powders, tablets, and liquids. Patients who utilize herbs and supplements for their cancer do so to help stimulate their immune system, improve physical health, treat adverse side effects of traditional cancer treatment methods, prolong their life, and support their mental health. Turmeric is a supplement cancer patients often use, and it was proven in studies to decrease cachexia that occurs with malignancy. Maitake is a herbal supplement proven to boost monocyte and neutrophil activity in individuals affected by a group of cancers called myelodysplastic syndromes. Some other common herbal supplements cancer patients use include cranberry, ginseng, echinacea, garlic, and ginkgo. While herbs and supplements can be beneficial for individuals who have cancer, drug interactions should be considered before taking them.

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Music And Art Therapy

Music and art therapy have proven to be effective alternative treatment methods that can help ease the mind and emotions when going through cancer. Music therapy is a type of therapy where patients listen to music, move to music, sing, write and discuss lyrics, use guided imagery with music, and make music with simple instruments. Music therapy is not used for an individual to learn how to play an instrument or sing, but for help with mental wellbeing, emotional well being, and relaxation. Art therapy is a type of therapy where a patient works with their therapist to create objects or pictures with personal meaning. Art therapy is used by cancer patients because it can help them better express and explore hard feelings and thoughts that may come along with cancer.

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Meditation

Some cancer patients have success with the use of meditation to help improve the quality of their life when they are going through treatment. Meditation is a practice where an individual connects with a spacious and clear natural state of mind. This connection includes sitting in a quiet environment, clearing the mind of struggles and worries, and directing their focus on the present moment. Meditation can include routines where an individual directs their concentration on their breathing or another sensation. Cancer patients utilize mediation to lower anxiety, manage pain, sleep better, decrease heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and alleviate general sickness feelings. Individuals with cancer also report meditation is effective in helping them cope with the many stresses their condition inflicts. Cancer patients claim practicing meditation before going to their chemotherapy and radiation treatment sessions helps alleviate nausea associated with nervousness and anticipation.