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Aromatherapy
Art therapy
Biofeedback
Imagery
Hypnosis
Relaxation
Spirituality and prayer
Tai Chi
Yoga
The understanding of a mind and body connection is thousands of years old. By now, it's generally accepted that a contented mind and positive attitude can be good for your physical health. Creative expression, such as writing or artwork; music, spirituality; relaxed breathing, dance; and humor, can be good therapy.
Aromatherapy
The basis of this therapy is aroma and the biochemical effects derived from the essential volatile oils of flowers and fruits. The healing effects of these fragrant extracts have been known throughout history. Aromatic plants were used as medicines in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and India.
No scientific evidence says aromatherapy prevents or treats cancer, but it can have a soothing effect, helping patients cope with chronic pain, nausea, depression and stress.
Clinical studies, mostly done in Europe, show essential oils might have a wide range of pharmaceutical properties.
Here are some possible uses for aromatherapy:
- Inhaled volatile oils like thyme, peppermint and eucalyptus can relieve respiratory problems such as colds, bronchitis and sinusitis.
- Peppermint may also work for nausea and motion sickness.
- Lavender is useful as a first-aid measure for burns and insect bites, as well as for headaches and stress.
- Massage oils made with rosemary or sage to relax tense muscles.
- Topically applied wintergreen oil appears to have aspirin-like analgesic qualities.
- Other essential oils have been shown to be useful for skin problems, muscular aches, arthritis pain, nervousness, and even depression.
In aromatherapy, only low doses or diluted amounts of these oils are used. For massage, they are diluted with vegetable oil. For inhalation and baths, they're diluted in water. Essential oils should never be taken orally in concentrated form, and only in diluted form under the care of a professional. The flavorful oils used in mouthwashes and sprays are highly diluted and safe when used as directed.
In the United States, professionals licensed in other therapies, such as massage and physical therapy, often practice aromatherapy.
Art therapy
Art therapy has not undergone rigorous scientific study to determine its therapeutic value on people with cancer. Art therapists say it can help people express feelings, hidden emotions, and reduce stress and anxiety. Therapists say it can be quite helpful for children who can express difficult emotions or relay information about traumatic times more easily through drawings, than in conventional therapy.
Being artistic or having art experience is not required to create art. With art, you can chose your medium, whether it is drawing, doodling, painting, taking photos, knitting, learning needlepoint, or creating a sculpture or a collage out of pictures cut from magazines.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique that requires a licensed biofeedback technician and special machines, which help people learn to control their heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension. Biofeedback can be used to help people relax and to help with pain control.
Biofeedback is one of several relaxation methods that have been approved by an independent panel, convened by the National Institutes of Health, as a useful complementary therapy for treating chronic pain and insomnia.
Imagery
Imagery uses the imagination to create mental pictures - "images" - or situations. Imagery can help relieve pain, although the way it works is not completely understood. Imagery can be thought of as a daydream that requires all your senses - sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste. Some people believe imagery is a form of self-hypnosis. Imagery can help people sleep, relax, relieve boredom and decrease anxiety.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a trance-like state of concentration between sleeping and waking. In a relaxed state, a person becomes more receptive or open to suggestion. Hypnosis can block the awareness of pain, substitute another feeling for pain and change the sensation to one that isn't painful.
Psychologists or psychiatrists are often trained hypnotherapists. Choose a hypnotherapist who is licensed in the healing arts or who works under the supervision of someone who is licensed. People can also be taught, by a hynotherapist, to place themselves in a hypnotic state, make positive suggestions to themselves, and to leave the hypnotic state by themselves.
Relaxation
Relaxation techniques can relieve pain or keep it from worsening by reducing muscle tension. It can help people with cancer fall asleep, make them less tired, reduce their anxiety and help other pain relief methods work better.
There are many methods of relaxation. It can be done sitting up or lying down, with eyes closed or open and fixed on an object. Many relaxation techniques involve slow, relaxed, rhythmic breathing. You can buy relaxation tapes that provide step-by-step instructions in relaxation techniques. Or a doctor, nurse, social worker or pain specialist may be able to refer you to someone who is experienced in relaxation techniques.
Spirituality and prayer
The psychological benefits of prayer may help reduce stress and anxiety, promote a more positive outlook, and strengthen the will to live.
Many medical institutions and practitioners believe spirituality and prayer are important elements of healing. In addition, hospitals have chapels and provide ministers, rabbis and voluntary organizations to serve their patients' spiritual needs.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a Chinese martial arts form designed to enhance both physical and emotional well-being. Tai Chi consists of breathing exercises superimposed on a series of postures that flow into one another through connecting transition moves. These slow, graceful, precise body movements are said to improve body awareness and enhance strength and coordination while helping a person achieve inner peace.
The advantages of Tai Chi have been known for thousands of years but only recently have been demonstrated scientifically. Research has shown the method to be useful as a form of exercise that may improve posture, balance, muscle mass and tone, flexibility, stamina, and strength in older adults. Tai Chi can be an effective way to reduce stress and provide the same cardiovascular benefits as moderate exercise, such as lowered heart rate and blood pressure.
Another advantage to Tai Chi is its low risk of injury. Tai Chi movements are not overly strenuous and are done very slowly.
Tai Chi classes, books and instructional videotapes are relatively inexpensive. Tai Chi is taught in many health clubs, schools and recreational facilities. Daily practice is recommended to get the most benefit. Once you learn Tai Chi, all you need is about 10 square feet of empty space to practice at home, in a park or even on the beach.
Yoga
Originated by the Hindus in India thousands of years ago, yoga is an ancient philosophical system that combines spiritual traditions with physical movements, or postures.
In addition to being a form of gentle exercise incorporating deep stretching and meditation, yoga is said to have a protective or healing effect on virtually every organ and body system. Bolstered by a broadening body of scientific research demonstrating the various health benefits of regular yoga practice, some hospitals are beginning to offer "yoga therapy" through their complementary/integrative medicine departments.
While there are scores of yoga styles, all incorporate a series of body positions, or postures, known as "asanas." Asanas are practiced in conjunction with controlled breathing known as "pranayama." Chanting or other forms of meditation, vegetarianism, suppression of the ego, a code of moral discipline, acceptance, and other lifestyle issues can be involved, as well.
Along with yoga's tangible physical benefits, such as improved strength and flexibility, many practitioners tout yoga's intangible emotional and psychological benefits as being far more profound.
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External Sources
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The National Cancer Institute
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The American Cancer Society
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Rosenbaum, EH, Rosenbaum, I, Everyone's Guide to Supportive Cancer Care: The Complete Guide for Patients and Their Families, Fourth Edition, Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2005.
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Dollinger M, Rosenbaum, EH, Tempero M, et al. Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, Fourth Edition, Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002.
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This article was reviewed June 2006, by Derrick Wong, M.D., UCSF Division of Hematology and Oncology, San Francisco, CA.
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