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Complementary healthcare for cancer

If you or a loved one are awaiting results, or undergoing treatment for cancer, there are a wide number of complementary therapies available that are proving to ease pain and assist recovery.

For decades, health practitioners have been aware of the powerful effect of a positive mental attitude coupled with a whole range of therapies - from drinking Essaic herbal tea, to eating paw paw to exploring the Gerson therapy - on cancer patients.


And while a growing number of therapies are available on the NHS, an even greater number are out there in complementary heath centres producing perfectly good results. They may not be clinically tested (due to expense) but are, nevertheless, beneficial.

It is important to state that while complementary therapies do not cure cancer, the use of them is highly beneficial during recovery, and they are widely supported by NHS Foundation Trusts, such as The Royal Marsden.

  • And it is equally important to know that the use of some super foods, herbs and therapies work as preventative medicines. So you can reduce your risk of developing cancerous cells.
    Complementary choices...



    Acupuncture
    In 2003 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a scientific review of controlled clinical trials on acupuncture and concluded it was an effective method of treatment for 28 conditions. Acupuncture has been used successfully by patient for the relief of symptoms associated with breast, colon and mesothelioma cancer. Other known conditions, as published by WHO are:
    • Adverse reactions to radiotherapy or chemotherapy
    • Depression
    • Hypertension
    • Nausea & vomiting
    • Postoperative pain
    • Abdominal pain
    • Cancer pain, insomnia and whooping cough
    Acupuncture has also shown to improve the immune system which aids recovery and combats side effects. If you want to learn more, click here


    Hyperthermia: According to the National Cancer Institute [NCI], 2004, "Hyperthermia may shrink tumors by killing or damaging cell proteins and structures."
    This is done by exposing body tissue to high temperatures. Research has revealed that cancer cells have been damaged and killed, often without any (or minimal) injury to healthy skin tissue with heat treatments such as hyperthermia. Want to read more? click here. Want to watch a video explaining hyperthermia? Click here


    Energy, Spiritual Healing & Reiki
    You don't have to be religious or have a clear belief in God. But you do need to believe in yourself and have the faith that you will recover.


    When any illness or disease is examined through a spiritual perspective - it is caused when the connection between mind, body and spirit is dislocated. From this standpoint, all illness begins within and can be cured within. It's a matter of taking repsonsiblity and accepting you can change your own physical experience by altering your mental reality.

    A belief in a higher wisdom, a healing energy can have profound effects in all areas of you life and can make a difference to illness, such as cancer.


     Louise Hay, author of You can Heal Your Life put this theory to the test and completely recovered. You can view one of a large number of inspirational videos by Louise Hay by clicking here.

    Also, if you have a strong belief in the healing power of Angels, you may find it useful to call on them to help you undo any negativity, bitterness, guilt, anger, jealousy and blame you are feeling towards yourself or other - as these emotions are understood to cause dis-ease.

    Much has been written about Reiki as a complementary therapy to assist recovery and ease the stresses of cancer. If you wish to know more about Reiki and cancer, click here
      

    Spirulina
    This dark green pond algae is so rich in nutrients and minerals it is recommended for all manner of ills. Spirulina is reported to help cancer prevention because it it is rich in the blue pigment phyococyanin, a biliprotein which has been shown to inhibit a cancer-colony formation.

    Alan Keith Tillotson, in One Earth Herbal Sourcebook, writes that it is the high levels of chlorophyll in spirulina that prevent cancer colonies from forming. "Foods and herbs that contain high levels of chlorophyll show pharmacological evidence of cancer prevention." Want to read more? click here


    But these few ideas are just the beginning - there are foods, drinks, minerals and exercises you can do to limit the suffering caused by cancers. Below is a list of more useful resources that introduce and explain alternative and complementary cancer therapies: