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Complementary & Alternative Therapies
| Author: | P. Catton, A. Bolderston |
| Date Published: | Jun 14, 2006 |
| Discussions: | 14 comments |
| Last Updated: | Mar 01, 2011 01:57 PM |
Summary
Complementary and alternative therapies include many different types of healing that are used outside of traditional therapies (radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, etc.). Complementary therapies are typically used with traditional therapies whereas alternative therapies are used by themselves, without any other treatment.
While many Complementary and Alternative therapies are not known to have bad effects on your health, during cancer therapy they can interfere with how your body reacts to treatment. Antioxidants, for instance, have been known to limit how well your body reacts to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which is why your doctor may ask you to stop taking high doses of vitamins. It is very important, then, that you let you your doctor know if you are taking vitamins. Extreme changes in your diet are also discouraged during treatment, because maintaining high energy levels and a regular weight are an important part of recovery. You should discuss the different therapies that you are taking with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or dietician.
Examples of popular Complementary therapies include aromatherapy, art therapy, herbal teas, guided and visual imagery, massage therapy, meditation, prayer, support groups, and yoga.
Some of these therapies may help ease your pain, work through troubling thoughts, assist you in relaxing and sleeping, and help you live a more enjoyable life. Deciding which treatment to use is a personal decision, but you need to remember how it will affect the other treatments undergoing. Consulting your health care team can help facilitate the decision-making process.
When considering a Complementary therapy service or product, you should look for certification that gives the person or company some authority. For example, registered massage therapists are recognized as being professionals and have to go through a lot of specialized training in order to be called an “RMT”. Companies should be recognized by Health Canada and should always list the ingredients of the products they are selling.
Additional Resources:
Coping with Radiation Therapy
Coping with Chemotherapy
Antioxidants and Radiation Therapy: Yes or No?
FACTs: Friends of Alternative Complementary Therapeutics Society
Canadian Complementary Medical Association
CAMline
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Integrative Medicine Institute
Examples of popular Complementary therapies include aromatherapy, art therapy, herbal teas, guided and visual imagery, massage therapy, meditation, prayer, support groups, and yoga.
Some of these therapies may help ease your pain, work through troubling thoughts, assist you in relaxing and sleeping, and help you live a more enjoyable life. Deciding which treatment to use is a personal decision, but you need to remember how it will affect the other treatments undergoing. Consulting your health care team can help facilitate the decision-making process.
When considering a Complementary therapy service or product, you should look for certification that gives the person or company some authority. For example, registered massage therapists are recognized as being professionals and have to go through a lot of specialized training in order to be called an “RMT”. Companies should be recognized by Health Canada and should always list the ingredients of the products they are selling.
Additional Resources:
Coping with Radiation Therapy
Coping with Chemotherapy
Antioxidants and Radiation Therapy: Yes or No?
FACTs: Friends of Alternative Complementary Therapeutics Society
Canadian Complementary Medical Association
CAMline
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Integrative Medicine Institute