While undergoing cancer treatment, the journey toward healing goes beyond chemotherapy and other medical interventions. Holistic therapies have become more prevalent in recent years, offering patients complementary methods to cope with the disease. This post explores the effectiveness of holistic approaches and highlights various practices a patient can use to stay healthy.
Are Holistic Approaches Effective In Cancer Care?
When using holistic approaches as part of your cancer care, you can improve your quality of life, reduce stress, and minimize a treatment’s side effects. Despite them not being substitutes for conventional cancer treatments like radiotherapy or surgery, they can help you better manage the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of cancer treatment.
– WebMD
Main Types Of Holistic Treatments For Patients
There are a few common holistic treatments that can help patients during their cancer journey:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is thousands of years old, yet still has an important place in modern cancer care. The process balances your body’s energy flow by stimulating pressure points on the body. For cancer patients, acupuncture mainly helps manage nausea and reduce pain levels. Other patients also claim that acupuncture helps them sleep better and reduces hot flashes. Acupuncture sessions are personalized to your needs, making them a versatile support therapy alongside your treatment.
Yoga
Yoga is a gentle way to stay fit and find emotional balance. Through a series of postures and breathing exercises, it’ll help you feel less stressed, improve flexibility, build strength, and increase life satisfaction during and after treatment. Its relaxing nature also helps patients better handle the emotional chaos that’s commonly associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Meditation
Finding healthy ways to manage stress is crucial for anyone going through cancer treatment. Meditation helps you focus your attention and eliminate jumbled thoughts, which can help create a state of deep relaxation and peace. It can also help you build emotional resilience and help deal with the anxiety surrounding your treatment and eventual outcome. Just 10 minutes a day will help you lower stress levels, reduce pain, and give you a better outlook on life.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to promote healing and well-being. Whether inhaled or applied to the skin, they can help calm anxiety, relieve nausea, and boost your mood. Lavender, for example, is widely used for relaxing and improving sleep. While aromatherapy doesn’t replace medical treatment, it certainly supports a patient’s overall well-being during their cancer journey.
Exercise
Daily exercise is a crucial part of cancer care. It can help minimize some of your treatment’s side effects while improving cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. Exercising regularly has been linked to improving a patient’s psychological health and can even improve their chances of living longer.
Reap The Benefits Of Holistic Approaches
Using holistic approaches to complement your cancer care strategy can enhance the treatment experience. While these therapies won’t supplement your medical treatments, they give you practical tools to manage symptoms and improve your well-being. If you want to learn more about holistic therapies or make a donation to The Eileen Fund, please contact us for more information today.