Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy

Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy

Jack Bleeker

August 7, 2009

 

In recent years the role of alternative therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side of effects. Older paradigms suggest that cancer can only be effectively treated with traditional treatments such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Those who refuse this notion seek alternative therapies outside of their treatment regimen to experience relaxation as well as an ease in side-effects associated with traditional treatment regimens, including those caused by chemotherapy drugs.

Today, not only patients but also the medical establishment recognizes the importance of alternative therapies, and particularly the importance of massage therapy in comprehensive cancer care. Massage, like most alternative cancer therapies, is most effective when used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

Therapeutic massage is unique in that it remedies the feeling of isolation which is experienced by many people who battle a difficult disease. The human contact that massage therapy soothes the psychological stresses that cancer patients endure such as feelings of being overwhelmed by the nature of their diagnosis, family implications, and other difficulties associated with cancer treatments.

Often, the most valuable treatments to patients battling a difficult diagnosis are those that allow the patient to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Patients battling aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma, often forgo traditional treatments which will put their body through a great deal of stress and discomfort in favor of those such as massage, which provide peace of mind and comfort. Patients undergoing traditional treatments such as chemotherapy often find that therapies that are able to relax their mind and body, will dramatically lessen side effects like nausea, restlessness, and fever.

As with any treatment, the benefits of massage therapy are to be determined on a case by case circumstance. However, given the positive experience many patients have experienced, it is certainly worth exploring. Maximizing your cancer therapies with cooperation between patient, family, and physician will encourage patients to live healthy and comfortably, which is the goal of all comprehensive therapies.

 

<h1>Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment Options</h1>

<img src="http://www.mesothelioma.com/images/photo_alternatives.jpg" height="153" alt="Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment Options" width="198" />

There are many options for treatment upon receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, may be the very first options that a physician will recommend. These, however, are not the only options, and many individuals suffering from mesothelioma choose to couple the traditional forms of treatment with alternative options.

Alternative treatments that may benefit individuals who suffer from various forms of cancer, including mesothelioma, include:

<h4>Acupuncture</h4>

Acupuncture is often used as a palliative therapy, involving the insertion of very narrow needles into the skin at specific pressure points. This has been proven to relieve pain in many individuals suffering from a wide variety of ailments, including mesothelioma.

<h4>Meditation</h4>

Meditation is the process of moving into deep relaxation. Meditation is often times associated with Eastern spiritual practices.

Meditation is therapeutic in the sense that a patient can develop the ability to make sound decisions and be at peace with health conditions they may have, including cancers like mesothelioma.

<h4>Massage</h4>

Massage therapy is the practice of hands-on physical manipulation of the body's soft tissue. Massage can be both relaxing and pain-relieving. Massage methods include Acupressure, Anma, and Balinese, all of which have differing effects on the body. Massage is often used during treatments for certain health conditions, like cancer, to ease muscle tension and induce relaxation.

<h4>Herbal & Nutritional Supplements</h4>

Many natural herbs have natural medicinal aspects which have been used to treat seemingly incurable ailments. Nutritional Supplements many times work in conjunction with herbal remedies to provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals to fight off infection and other illness.

<h4>Yoga</h4>

Yoga is a combination of meditation and movement. Yoga is of Hindu origin and is designed to promote a heightened sense of oneness between body and mind, inducing relaxation and contentment.

<h4>TENS Therapy</h4>

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation is used as a palliative care option. An electrical stimulation is directed through different areas of the body resulting in pain relief which can increase the level of endorphins. TENS Therapy is typically administered by a physical therapist, but can also be done at home if a patient has the necessary documentation for TENS equipment.

<h4>Aromatherapy</h4>

This method of therapy involves the use of aromatic oils, plants, and other substances to be used in conjunction with massage and or baths. These fragrances can result in a heightened mood, which can promote good health and pain relief.

<h4>Hypnotherapy</h4>

Guided hypnosis sessions can have substantial positive effect on a patient undergoing treatment for cancer, including mesothelioma. For this reason, hypnosis is now being increasingly integrated into alternative cancer treatment regimens.

<h3>Why should I consider alternative treatment?</h3>

When paired with traditional treatment methods, alternative options can be an important component of a treatment plan. These alternative methods are most helpful in regards to controlling pain and maintaining balance and peace within an individuals mind and body. Many patients find these treatments, such as massage or meditation, to be a welcome distraction from the ongoing cycle of hospital visits, medication, and general stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.

It is very important to consult with your physician before pursuing any new form of treatment. A doctor will be able to determine whether or not a patient is healthy enough to incorporate alternative treatment practices into their already-established treatment plan.

<h6>If you have questions about alternative treatments or your legal rights please contact us.</h6>