The diagnosis of cancer marks a critical time in your life. It takes time and effort to rid yourself of cancer. Your treatment may be overseen by an oncologist, but in addition to the medical therapy, there are many therapies that can make the road to recovery much smoother. For your safety, consult all your healthcare providers for advice on any complementary therapies you are considering.
Nutrition and Nutrition Therapy
Good nutrition is crucial whenever you have a life-threatening illness. If chemotherapy causes you to have digestive problems or anorexia, you may require help to assure that your nutritional needs are met. There are two important goals concerning nutrition in cancer patients. One is to have the nutrients to maintain and repair tissues and the other is to build a strong immune system. You may require special tests, supplements, and carefully chosen foods to meet these goals.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
If cancer has changed your body in any way, these therapies can help you cope with the changes. Physical therapy will strengthen your muscles, which may have grown weak, and help you return to normal functioning. Occupational therapy, OT, will help you to maintain your independence. It focuses on the activities of daily living. If your cancer surgery physically changed your body, OT can teach you how to make adjustments. If you are confined to a wheel chair, OT can teach you how to make it work for you.
Exercise Therapy
You may be restricted for a time in what kind of exercise you can do, but you will be able to do something to maintain your strength while your body heals. You may feel too ill to exercise at times. Ask your doctors specifically what you can do and should not do. Try to live with the restrictions and do as much as you can within them. Physical therapy can help with this also and teach you exercises that will be useful after you are well again.
Mental Therapies
Cancer is difficult mentally and emotionally as well as physically. Meditation and yoga are tools that can ease these burdens. The mind and body work together to restore your health. Support groups can help with the feelings of being alone with your illness, and they can provide some practical advice as well. You may also find yourself having renewed interest in spiritual matters and want to discuss these with a clergyman, for example. Your family and friends can provide special loving support when you battle cancer.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy can help reduce both anxiety and symptoms for cancer patients. Choose a licensed or registered massage therapist approved by your doctor. This is considered a very safe therapy. There may be some special precautions during active cancer treatment, however. Your massage therapist may require a prescription in order for your insurance to pay her. This is generally true of all therapies. Unfortunately, cost is a factor in cancer treatments and you will want to be sure that all your treatments are covered.
CAM Therapy
There are many hundreds of complementary and alternative therapies for cancer. Some are blatant quackery and some are helpful. Qualified nutrition and immune system support can support and improve the outcome of other treatments. Be wary of anyone with a treatment that claims mainstream medicine "hasn't heard of it" or "refuses to recognize it." Ask your medical doctor and the CAM provider if they will work together to help you. Insurance will not cover all CAM therapy.
