How to Use Holistic Medicine to Treat Cancer

Holistic medicine is frequently used in conjunction with "conventional Western medicine" to treat cancer. Holistic medicine, which concentrates on the whole person, including his or her emotional and spiritual health, helps cancer patients focus on healing. One holistic option for treating cancer is qigong. It's thought to help with pain management and strengthen healthy cells to fight off cancerous cells. Other techniques like meditation and visualization are also used to help cancer patients. Follow these steps to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to holistic practitioners
• Computer with Internet access

Investigate Holistic Therapies

1. Know that holistic medicine includes many different techniques. Acupuncture, hypnosis, prayer, yoga, meditation, psychological counseling and other techniques have all been used to treat the effects of cancer.

2. Learn more about holistic medicine and alternative therapies by visiting major cancer-related Web sites like those for the "American Cancer Society" and the "National Cancer Institute" (see Resources below). Both Web sites offer information that can give you an overview of the types of holistic treatments that have been used to manage cancer, as well as information on what to look out for when using holistic treatments.

3. Use acupuncture to help manage pain and reduce the stress and anxiety associated with cancer or cancer treatments.

4. Use massage therapy to increase blood circulation, ease fatigue, and reduce body soreness when you have cancer.

5. Use aromatherapy to lift your spirits and improve your mood while undergoing "conventional" Western cancer treatments.

6. Take up meditation. You may want to research a formal system of meditation like Transcendental Meditation. Or, you could just set aside 30 minutes, twice every day, to devote to quieting your mind.

7. Practice qigong by yourself or take a class. Qigong is a form of exercise with some spiritual components that strives to bring balance to the body and mind. Learn more at the "Qigong Institute" Web site (see Resources below).

8. Consider joining a clinical trial. Ongoing research is being conducted into a variety of holistic approaches to treating cancer. The "National Cancer Institute" Web site often lists clinical trials that include holistic, alternative or complementary approaches to treating cancer.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a cancer-related support group. Emotional support is an important component of the holistic approach to managing cancer.
• The cost of holistic treatments can vary between free (visualization) and expensive (on-going acupuncture treatments).
• See your doctor immediately if you experience any severe side effects from your cancer treatments, including fainting, disorientation or deep depression.
• Before you start any alternative medical technique, be aware that many have not been scientifically evaluated. If you decide to try holistic medicine, keep your doctor informed about the technique you undertake. Some holistic treatments like herbal supplements can interfere with conventional treatment or pose other risks.
• Consult MayoClinic.com to learn how educate yourself about alternative medicine claims (see Resources below). Learn how to assess those claims before you make your treatment decision.

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[gretter]

on 6/26/2009 my mother has cancer , she is 87 /. they cant do anythhing , now because has other problems

[DrNancyMalik]

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www.freewebs.com/homeopathy249/cancerremediespti.htm

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