Written by Patrick Massey, M.D., Ph.D. Nutrition, acupuncture, massage, mind-body therapies, meditation, energy medicine, dietary supplements-including vitamins and a growing number of herbs are increasingly being used during cancer treatment.
Fifty to eighty percent of people with a diagnosis of cancer use some form of nontraditional medicine, often at the same time they are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Is it safe and is it effective? According to medical studies and depending on the therapy, the answer is frequently yes!
Nontraditional therapies that have been studied include nutrition, acupuncture, massage, mind-body therapies, meditation, energy medicine, dietary supplements-including vitamins and a growing number of herbs. Here are some of the findings:
- Nutrition: When a patient goes through therapy for cancer, the cells of the stomach and intestines can be damaged. This results in loss of appetite, malabsorbtion of food, weight loss and profound fatigue. Massage, acupuncture and herbs like ginseng can stimulate the appetite and energy levels. Marshmallow root and slippery elm can accelerate the healing of the bowel.
- Acupuncture: This therapy has been shown to be as effective as anti-nausea medications for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea. There are no significant negative side effects. Acupuncture might combat fatigue and rekindle the appetite. It might also encourage bone marrow recovery, though it is not known how. Both Tony Lu MD (Loyola University Medical Center) and I have witnessed bone marrow that was damaged from chemotherapy recover faster with acupuncture.
- Massage: Massage stimulates the release of natural killer cells. These are cells, in the immune system, that specifically kills cancer cells. It is beneficial because massage stimulates the release of brain endorphins. Endorphins are natural painkillers and mood enhancers. They also profoundly stimulate the immune system.
- Mind/Body Therapies: One of the most interesting approaches to cancer treatment, these therapies involve the mind to “activate” the body’s innate healing process. Meditation, prayer and guided imagery are commonly used.
- Energy Medicine: Most medical systems worldwide believe bio-energy can stimulate the body’s own healing system. Researchers have proven the existence of these bio-energy fields. Although the evidence for effectiveness against cancer is meager, treatments like Reiki, therapeutic touch and qigong energy healing are very safe.
- HerbsS: This is an area of contention with many in traditional medicine. Although no herbs have been shown to be effective for curing cancer, herbs like germanium thunbergii and astragalus might make chemotherapy more effective. An increasing number of herbs are currently being studied.
Intriguingly, some, like astragalus, seem to prevent specific cancers from developing resistance to chemotherapy. The proper combination of chemotherapy and herbs could increase “cures” and prolong remissions.
Because of the potential of side effects, nontraditional therapies for cancer should be under the direction of a medical doctor or osteopathic physician familiar with their use.
Posted November 19, 2008.
