Holistic care focuses on your mind, body, and spirit. Doctors that practice holistic care may prescribe a combination of traditional and complementary treatment methods. Getting diagnosed and subsequently treated for cancer causes an array of distressing emotions and physical sensations.
In this article, you'll discover 3 methods of holistic cancer treatment that can help you manage pain and anxiety.
Massage
Massage is a manual or body-based movement treatment. Massage therapists focus on kneading the soft tissue to release tension in the muscles and promote relaxation. Studies indicate that massage can help cancer patients dealing with fatigue, pain, stress, and anxiety. Stress has actually been linked to the increased growth of cancerous tumors. There are many different methods of massage with varying degrees of pressure applied to the body. Speak with your doctor before starting a massage therapy program especially if you suffer from thin blood or bone disease.
Meditation
Meditation is a practice of heightened awareness and focusing non-judgemental thoughts on a particular image, sound, feeling, or thought. Meditation and mindfulness have been shown to reduce levels of stress, depression, sleeplessness, and pain intensity in people diagnosed with cancer. Studies about this mediation are still ongoing but generally positive.
You can practice meditation on your own or in a classroom environment. There are many types of meditation, such as guided and transcendental. With guided meditation, a mentor or guide talks you through a series of mental images that lead to relaxation and positive thinking. Transcendental meditation involves sitting quietly and focusing on a single mantra for up to 20 minutes a day. During all methods, breathing techniques are used to achieve relaxation and a state of wellbeing.
Yoga
Yoga is a mind and body practice that combines physical positions that stretch the body and deep breathing. There are many different forms of yoga. Incorporating a daily yoga practice has been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness in cancer patients. It also has a moderate effect on reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
The effectiveness of your yoga practice depends on the duration of the exercise program and the method of yoga chosen, but all have benefits. Your doctor may be able to recommend a yoga instructor that is experienced in working with those undergoing cancer treatment. Yoga can cause tension but should not be overly painful. A good instructor will be able to guide you at any stage and suggest alternative poses.
A cancer diagnosis can cause severe emotional distress. Talk to your doctor about holistic cancer treatment methods to improve your quality of life. Each individual is different and you may find one method works better for you than others.
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