Complementary Therapies

What are complementary therapies?

Sometimes also known as alternative therapies, they may help to control your symptoms and enhance your quality of life. Complementary therapies may be used alongside conventional cancer treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. They possibly work by using the healing power of nature and stimulating the body's natural healing ability. They aim to treat the whole person including the physical, spiritual and social being.

However, it is important to stress that although you may find complementary therapies very helpful in reducing symptoms such as pain, there is no conclusive scientific evidence which proves that such treatments can cure cancer.

There are a huge variety of complementary therapies advertised on the open market, many are well known and have been proven to be helpful. However, there are also some therapies that are expensive and have doubtful benefits. Be very wary of unusual and often costly therapies advertised in the media such as the internet, or newspaper adverts. If you are in any doubt discuss with your GP or your Nurse Specialist whether it may be of any particular benefit to you. You may find that your hospital or GP has an alternative therapy service available.

It is important to also check with your doctor before starting any complementary therapy as it may interfere with some treatments or other medication you may be taking.

The following link goes to the Royal College of Radiologists and gives advice for people receiving chemotherapy and wishing to consider complimentary medicines www.rcr.ac.uk/docs/general/worddocs/HerbalSupplementsFINALVERSION.doc

Could you explain how complementary therapies work?

Yes, below is a table of some of the better known complimentary therapies and a brief description is given of each (from the viewpoint of each specialism).

Acupuncture

Part of a system of Chinese medicine, which is said to depend on the balanced functioning of the body's energies and involves very fine needles being inserted at specific points of the body's surface.

Aromatherapy

Uses massage and inhalations combined with essential plant oils, and may help to promote health and healing of the whole body.

Bowen technique

A light tissue manipulation thought to help balance the body’s energies.

Counselling

Provides support, help and an understanding listener for someone who is anxious, troubled or distressed.

Spiritual healing

Is said to channels healing energy from its spiritual source to the patient through the healer's hands.

Hypnotherapy

Uses the hypnotic state to try and help overcome limitations by controlling the body and mind.

Massage

Uses gentle to vigorous contact to stimulate the blood flow around the body, thereby helping a person to relax.

Reflexology

A form of ancient Chinese medicine involving treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands.

Reiki

Is said to use life energy being passed by gentle, unintrusive touch, through the practitioner to the person receiving this relaxation treatment.