Many cancer patients are already on a steady treatment regimen consisting of chemotherapy, radiation and narcotics used for breakthrough pain. Traditional medicine attempts to preserve and prolong life but there continues to be a gap with under-treated pain, related anxiety and stress. In 2008, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine surveyed 23,000 households and discovered that 38 percent of adults regularly employ complementary or alternative treatments in their lives--with another 12 percent of children. These complementary treatments are considered safe for all users yet are not recommended for all conditions. Therefore, a physician should be consulted before beginning such a regimen.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a method of deep relaxation that is facilitated by a certified hypnotherapist. The object of hypnosis for the relief of pain is to use the power of suggestion to clear the thoughts, reduce anxiety, to redirect the individual away from their source of pain, and replace negative thoughts with calming, relaxing and more positive thoughts using a suggestive script. The book, "The Human Side of Cancer: Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty," states that those living with cancer pain find this method both helpful and relaxing. No side effects have been reported; however, caution should be exercised in patients with co-occurring psychological disorders and epilepsy.
Breathwork
Breathwork is a technique that focuses solely on changing breathing patterns. This method of changing breathing patterns is both calming and leads to pain reduction. For example, when an individual is experiencing pain, the blood vessels tend to constrict and therefore block the flow of blood to the extremities. Tension builds in the muscles and pain results. For those with cancer, the pain can come from several sources: chemotherapy and radiation treatments, surgical procedures or organs shutting down. The National Pain Foundation suggests that the process of deep breathing and relaxation allows the blood vessels to dilate and return blood flow; however, it may not be as effective for organ pain in cancer.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a relaxation therapy method that uses a facilitator until the individual is capable of doing it on their own. In the guided imagery process, visualization and focus are accompanied by the facilitator's calming voice suggesting images in the patient's mind. The alteration of images and focus reduce pain perception in the brain for symptom relief. By further altering pain perception in the brain, the brain fails to trigger the bodily response therefore reducing pain. The National Pain Foundation states that the use of guided imagery reduces anxiety, encourages deep breathing and assists the cancer patient in experiencing comfort.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The Use of CAM in the United States
- "The Human Side of Cancer: Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty"; Holland J & Lewis, S; 2000
- Natonal Pain Foundation: Guided Imagery and Pain Relief
