The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) discipline has much to offer an individual searching for adjunct treatments for cancer. These include body, mind, spirit therapies, biologically based therapies, manipulative or "body-based" methods, alternative medical systems and energy therapies that cancer patients and their families can select instead of or along with traditional medical treatments.
Alternative Medical Systems and Body/Mind/Spirit Therapies
The term "Alternative Medical Systems" refers to Chinese or other ancient forms of medicine creating this distinctive designation apart from traditional medicine. The Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine says, that what an "Alternative Medical System" does for the cancer patient incorporates the wisdom and techniques employed by the Chinese many centuries ago, into the technologically-savvy 21st Century medicine.
According to the American Cancer Society, body, mind, spirit therapies often employ ways to reduce stress and encourage relaxation. Alternative treatments in this category include: biofeedback, hypnosis, relaxation, meditation, guided imagery, prayer and spiritual guidance.
Relaxation training includes multiple modalities and practice of biofeedback, breathing exercises, EFT/Tapping, guided imagery, hypnotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Meditation practices incorporate Buddhist tradition, chakra meditation, Christian tradition and prayer, Labyrinth meditation, Native American healing, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Transcendental Meditation and yoga.
Other options according to the American Cancer Society's book, "The Complete Guide to Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies" include the addition of other treatment modalities for use with or without traditional medicine which include: Asian Bodywork, Applied Kinesiology, Biological Dentistry, Cancer Salves, Castor Oil, Cold Laser Therapy, Colon Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Cupping, electrodermal screening, heat therapy, hydrotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, light therapy, Moxibustion, myofascial release, neural therapy, psychic surgery, Rosen Method, Rubenfield Synergy Method and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
Biologically-Based Therapies
Biologically-based therapies commonly serve as complementary adjunct treatments to more traditional forms of medicine. These therapies for cancer treatment according to the American Cancer Society include herbal medicine, high-dose mega-vitamin (orthomolecular medicine) treatments and special diets.
These therapeutic but medicinal interventions often consist of integrating whole foods, botanicals and organics, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, proteins and pro/macro biotics into the daily routine. This method generally raises the body's stamina both in-between and during more evasive medical procedures such as radiation and chemotherapy as proper nourishment and nutrition becomes imperative during cancer treatment.
Manipulative "Body-Based" Methods
The American Cancer Society suggests the use of manipulative methods for adjunct treatment between chemotherapy and radiation. These manipulative "body-based" methods of treatment for cancer include massage therapy, exercise/movement therapy and chiropractic care. These types of therapies focus on skeletal and joint structures and the manipulation of tissues, the regulation of circulatory and lymphatic system processes and the effects of maladjustment which may require physical manipulation for restoration of these processes.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that chiropractors, physical therapists and osteopathic practitioners with the exception of massage therapists, reflexologists and exercise/movement therapy instructors and coaches perform the majority of these manipulative methods.
Energy Therapies
Spirit of Change Magazine places energy therapy in high regard as it offers acupuncture, Shiatsu, therapeutic touch, polarity therapy, Reiki, reflexology, and new advances in bio-energies. This type of therapy integrates the use of energy fields already present in the body (i.e. magnetic fields) with the intention of drawing negative energy and illness away allowing the positive energies and influence to infiltrate and heal.
