Which of the Following Alternative Therapies Has Shown Promise As an Effective Treatment?
Alternative therapies differ from standard medical treatment in that they have not been proven to work and may lead to worse outcomes for cancer patients. Before trying an alternative therapy, make sure you discuss it with your healthcare team first.
Mind-body therapies (like relaxation techniques, meditation, guided imagery, biofeedback and hypnosis) have shown promise in treating pain. Not only that but they may also help control symptoms and enhance quality of life overall.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves inserting needles into specific points on your body to promote health and alleviate chronic pain and anxiety.
Hypnotherapy is a form of therapy that utilizes hypnosis to make you more relaxed and focused on an objective. The therapist will guide you into a trance-like state while making suggestions to help reach these objectives.
Yoga and meditation are practices that can be beneficial for stress, anxiety, and depression. They may even help cope with side effects from chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Chiropractic treatment, therapeutic touch and certain herbal therapies have also been identified as helpful for pain. However, further study is necessary to establish whether these techniques are safe and effective across all patients.
Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that draws upon substances found in plants to treat illness. While it’s typically not covered by the NHS, evidence-based medicine suggests it may be successful for certain conditions.
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote wellbeing and reduce stress. This may involve massage, inhaling the oils through your nose, or simply using them in a bath.
Reiki is an energy-based healing that can stimulate self-healing processes. It may also aid in relieving anxiety and improving sleep quality.
Exercise is another effective way to manage pain. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can decrease discomfort and lift spirits.
Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an approach to acupuncture that does not use needles but instead relies on tapping your fingers on specific acupuncture points to focus on what you want to change. This type of acupuncture has been known to improve mental health and be particularly successful for those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While some complementary and alternative therapies have been scientifically proven to be beneficial, they are unregulated by the government. Thus, it’s essential that you find a qualified practitioner whose services you feel confident with. It would be wise to inquire for references and select someone who you feel will be an ideal fit for you.
