Chemotherapy is designed to kill fast-growing cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is a severe treatment that not only destroys damaged cells, but healthy ones as well, leading to side effects such as nausea, insomnia, fatigue and depression. The practice of yoga and tai chi can help reduce the side effects associated with cancer and cancer treatments. When yoga and tai chi are used in conjunction with other complementary and alternative medicines, their usage can improve the quality of life for cancer patients and sufferers of other chronic illnesses.
Tai Chi and Yoga
Tai chi chuan is an ancient Chinese healing martial art form consisting of a series of slow-paced fluid-like movements and stretches that increase the flow of the "chi" -- the life force energy -- to prevent stagnation and blockages that manifest as illness and disease. Tai chi also helps to balance the yin and yang principles, the feminine and masculine life force energies. Yoga is an ancient healing system, predating Hinduism, although it is most often thought of as being Eastern in origin. There are many forms of Yoga including Hatha, Kundalini and Kriya Yoga, all styles combining various asanas or poses with breathing techniques and meditation to assist in the movement and balancing of life force energy or prana. Yoga can help your body release toxins, improve your focus, muscle strength and stamina, while reducing stress and tension to relieve anxiety. The regular practice of both tai chi and yoga promotes wellness of the mind, body and spirit, and can assist in decreasing the severity of side effects of cancer and chemotherapy.
Research and Clinical Trials
Emory University's CancerQuest website presented scientific research which examined the effectiveness of tai chi and yoga in managing the side effects associated with cancer and chemotherapy, such as depression, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, fatigue and muscle weakness. Thirty-eight percent or more than one-third of American adults have incorporated complementary alternative medicines with their standard treatments, according to the 2007 survey. The CAM users participating in the survey didn't expect it to cure their cancer. Instead, they hoped CAM would boost their immune systems, provide pain relief and allow them to manage their side effects better. Another important element expressed within the survey was the sense of empowerment that the CAM users experienced. Using CAM and therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, allows you to feel in control of your own individual health and well-being.
Relieves Anxiety and Stress
The rhythmic, slow-paced motion characteristic of tai chi relieves stress and anxiety, the common side effects associated with cancer and chemotherapy, all of which help foster feelings of inner calm, preventing negative thoughts that can spiral down to depression. Deep and controlled breathing techniques used during tai chi and yoga practice help to carry oxygen into the lungs to improve circulation, releasing tension and reduce anxiety. Deep breathing also releases endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones and your body's natural painkillers. Reciting positive affirmations and meditating during yoga practice can help uplift your spirit and mind, while lightening the heart, allowing you to cope with challenging chemotherapy treatments better.
Chronic Pain Relief
An increasing number of well-known cancer centers in the United States, such as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, acknowledge and accept yoga as a complementary therapy. The article, presented a 2007 pilot study carried out by The Society for Integrative Oncology and published in the "Journal of Pain and Symptom Management," focused on women who suffered from metastatic breast cancer. The women, who engaged in a session of yoga, noticed a significant reduction of pain and fatigue the following day.
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