| Anybody suffering from cancer tries to take help of | | | | stress. |
| whatever he or she can to relieve the pain, stress, | | | | Hypnosis |
| and anxiety associated with this dreaded disease. | | | | We all know that hypnosis is a highly powerful |
| Alternative cancer treatments do not always offer | | | | therapy for multiple ailments. It can also provide relief |
| cure for cancer, but cancer patients can definitely get | | | | for cancer patients. During a hypnotherapy session, |
| some sort of relief. Whether somebody is suffering | | | | the therapist will hypnotize the patient using gentle |
| from liver cancer, breast cancer, or cancer in any | | | | voice and will be helping the patient to relax. The |
| other body part, alternative cancer treatment can | | | | therapist will boost up the patient's mental power and |
| lessen his/her pain. They are not natural cancer cures; | | | | help him/her to focus on the goals at hand - |
| and they are in no way substitutes to the | | | | controlling pain and reduction of stress. |
| conventional cancer treatments prescribed by the | | | | Tai Chi |
| doctor. | | | | Tai Chi is a form of exercise that stresses on gentle |
| Many such alternate treatment methodologies are | | | | body movements and deep breathing. Tai Chi can be |
| yet to be proven and established, and can even have | | | | practiced under a qualified instructor, or can be learnt |
| adverse effects. However, some of the treatment | | | | by reading books and watching videos. This |
| methodologies are quite safe and there are | | | | alternative therapy is helpful in case the patient is |
| evidences that support the benefits one can expect | | | | finding difficulty to sleep at night. |
| from them. Now, we will explore briefly some of | | | | Yoga |
| these safe, alternative cancer treatment | | | | Yoga, one of the oldest curative therapies in the |
| methodologies. You need to work closely with your | | | | world, consists of stretching exercises and deep |
| doctor to determine the right balance between | | | | breathing. Yoga consists of "pranayamas" and |
| conventional and alternative cancer treatment | | | | "asanas". The former consists of breathing techniques |
| approaches. | | | | and the latter consists of body stretching and |
| Acupuncture | | | | formation of several postures that help stimulate |
| In this alternative form of cancer treatment, a | | | | positive metabolic activities in the body. For cancer |
| practitioner inserts tiny needles into the skin of the | | | | patients, yoga relieves stress, helps in getting good |
| cancer patient at precise points. Studies have | | | | sleep at night, and reduces fatigue. |
| established that acupuncture can provide some relief | | | | Massage Therapy |
| from the nausea caused by chemotherapy. It can | | | | Massage therapy is another form of alternative |
| also alleviate certain types of pain associated with | | | | cancer treatments that relieves muscular tension and |
| cancer. Though safe, acupuncture should be done | | | | promotes relaxation. There are various flavors of |
| from a licensed practitioner only. The needles should | | | | massage therapy. It can be light and gentle, or it can |
| be sterilized too. The method is unsafe for those | | | | be deep with greater pressure. Several studies have |
| cancer patients who have low blood counts. The | | | | established that massages relieve pain in cancer |
| doctor should be consulted first before going for | | | | patients. It also helps in combating stress and fatigue. |
| acupuncture. | | | | Do not go for massage therapy if you have a low |
| Aromatherapy | | | | blood count. Ask the therapist to avoid massaging |
| In aromatherapy, practitioners use fragrant oils to | | | | near surgical scars, radiation treatment areas, or |
| provide a calming sensation. The oils can either be | | | | tumors. In case of cancer in bones, light pressure |
| used over the skin during massaging, or they can be | | | | should be exerted. |
| applied to the bathing water. Sometimes the fragrant | | | | Apart from these popular alternative cancer |
| oil is heated to release their scents. Though | | | | treatments mentioned here, there are other methods |
| aromatherapy cannot be categorized as natural | | | | like - music therapy, biofeedback and physical |
| cancer cures, it is helpful in lessening nausea, pain and | | | | exercise as well. |