Aromatherapy

If you go through the categories of therapy for mesothelioma cancer or any other cancer; there are mainly two kinds of treatments or therapies. First and the most essential therapies are clinical therapies, which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. All these clinical therapies are really beneficial medically, but it doesn’t mean that all the alternative therapies and treatments are not capable enough to cure the disease. However, mesothelioma cancer patients are usually treated through these alternative therapies for the well-being of the patient. These complementary or alternatives therapies are found to be really helpful and advantageous regarding mesothelioma patients. 

Aromatherapy is one of the most common alternative therapies used by patients having mesothelioma cancer. Similar to other complementary therapies aromatherapy is also used in conjunction with traditional therapies to cure the disease. Moreover, aromatherapy helped many mesothelioma patients to live manageable and convenient life while they are combating with their disease, but with the combination of conventional treatments.

As a therapy, Aromatherapy when compared with other alternative treatments is comparatively can be said a recent one particularly in cancer patients, but it has been in practice for other capacities since thousands of years back. In this treatment, the perceptions and senses are stimulated in such a manner to create a calm and relaxing environment. If we are talking particularly about some person’s level of anxiety, it will extremely depend on the senses. For that reason, if the senses are calm down then there is a high possibility to alleviate levels of anxiety and stress in some patients. There are certain essential oils that are used, whose fragrance activates emotional ease that is very much valuable for a person who is combating with the cancer at later stages.

Aromatherapy can be coupled up with massage therapies in some cases that can be really helpful in easing up the whole body in both muscle relaxation and sensory perception. When we looked around in certain trials, there are a number of mesothelioma patients that actually have experienced easiness in symptoms related to chemotherapy, like fatigue and nausea on subjection to controlled environment of aromatherapy. The point is to be noted, the above observation is not done clinical and the result may differ in patients.

We should keep this in mind that with most of the alternative treatments are based on personal choice and the outcomes will differ to a great extent from one person to another. One thing we should also do before opting to any alternative treatments is to consult our doctor. Firstly, the patient must be totally aware of the goals of traditional treatments and guarantee they are compromised.

Just do the above mention things and go for aromatherapy, you might find it beneficial for you.

 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture- a very ancient way of alternative treatment is usually used to control the pain, but not only this it provides a path toward healing changes  with respect to immune response, brain function, digestion, hormones, etc.  The first execution of acupuncture was in China and it was thousands of years ago.

In acupuncture treatment first acupuncturist has to determine acupoints (acupuncture points) on the body and then in a very strategically manner he has to insert tiny needles into these points. In order to alleviate physical pain and restore balance and calm to the soul, the needles should be positioned very precisely. According to ancient Chinese thought that the correct positioned of these tiny needles could give many medical benefits.

Acupuncture is very popular in the United States even though it may look like an unconventional method of managing pain. As a matter of Fact the Food and Drug Administration has categorized acupuncture needles as medical devices because of the extensively use of this alternative treatment as well as it has been approved as a treatment ways for numerous health conditions.

There are many people who rely on acupuncture treatment for different health conditions that also includes those people who are suffering from mesothelioma cancer; they use this treatment to deal with the discomfort that is an effect of their weakening disease. This malignant mesothelioma cancer imposes great deal of pain on the sufferer of this disease, and acupuncture treatment is found out to be a very effective way of controlling and lessening this pain. There are numerous clinical studies has been conducted on mesothelioma cancer patients that were receiving traditional treatments of cancer like chemotherapy along with acupuncture treatment. The good thing is that the patients who have participated in this study their pain was much lessened due to the inclusion of acupuncture treatment and there were some patients who have give up their some conventional pain medicine. Isn’t this great news?

The studies have also revealed that besides this if the mesothelioma cancer patients include acupuncture into their treatment, it can strengthened and boost their immune system and they also experienced a reduction in the discomfort effects of chemotherapy treatment. These patients experienced less nausea, less fatigue and they have maintained a healthy weight during the sessions of chemotherapy.

Acupuncture, as an alternative treatment is generally safe for most of the people. There are some side-effects, which are associated with acupuncture treatment that includes feeling of dizziness after the session of acupuncture and soreness at the place of insertion; nevertheless these side-effects are relatively negligible. There are many patients who opted for acupuncture found this treatment really effective and they have benefited with it greatly.

Art Therapy

Just about from few centuries art is being used to deal with emotional and physical problems as well as to encourage healing. However, from the last 30-40 years or so the art therapy is accepted as a science; and this credit goes to American Art Therapy Association, which is offering college degree programs in art therapy. Nowadays, art therapy is playing an essential role in a person who is combating with cancers like mesothelioma.

The very first question will arise in your mind and that is how does it work for a mesothelioma patient?

Different Forms of Arts Use For Mesothelioma Patients

Art therapy is used to support mesothelioma patients get to grips or express anxiety regarding their illness, particularly in the patients that are in their last stage. There are many mesothelioma clinics that are hiring art therapists in their staff and by making them a part of their medical professionals’ team, they are treating cancer.

An art therapist can work with an individual or with groups of patients, who are going about the same challenges. When participating in art therapy sessions, there is no requirement for a patient to be an artist or can be able to paint or draw.

Usually, this alternative treatment provides a patient to express themselves, whether by observing art or by creating art. A patient’s fear, anxiety and stress are also major concerns of qualified art therapists. For instance, patients that are combating with mesothelioma cancers are being asked to draw an image of them with cancer, and by this image, patients can usually express their concerns consciously or unconsciously regarding their disease. The art therapists are not expecting drawings to be master pieces; they just need these drawings for providing a vehicle to begin the conversation. This is not the only way of this treatment; this therapy may also involve observing at photographs or paintings provided by the art therapists. Then, after going through the paintings patients may be asked to express their feelings regarding what they have observed.

The next question must arise in your mind, does this treatment actually works?

There are numerous clinical trials of art therapy have been carried out for patients with different diseases and as well as disorders, which were both mental and physical that also includes cancer. In 2002-2006 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Kimmel Cancer Center situated in Philadelphia reported study on art therapy in cancer patients that showed a great reduction in anxiety and pain in those who attended eight therapy sessions of 2-5 hours.

A study by Dr. Jack Lindh of Umea University in Sweden after studying 41 breast cancer patients reported that art therapy is strongly recommended for the breast cancer patients because it provides a powerful tool in rehabilitation of breast cancer patients and also in other types of cancer. In this study, the remarkable thing was noted that in five therapy sessions that the women that were participating in these sessions of process and express; they have improved their quality of life.  Furthermore, their coping skills also improved who attended these therapy sessions.

In any case, art therapists never confess that they can cure the cancer. Though, the main objective of art therapists is to reduce a notable depression, anxiety or stress in cancer patients by providing them with an artistic passage. In addition, a patient who is experiencing chronic or acute pain if they attend art therapy sessions often reported reduction in pain as he was so engaged in the session that he did not feel any pain and discomfort.

Now, I want to share some really important points that you should know…

• Art therapy is completely safe for any age

• Patients should be not forced to engage in the activity during therapy sessions

• You should realize expressing emotions for some patients may cause temporary distress.

• Art therapy should be used in conjunction with traditional treatments and not alone as it is an alternative treatment.

Alternative Treatment Options for Mesothelioma

When a person is diagnosed by malignant mesothelioma, he/she may have many treatment options to choose to combat with this disease. Surgery and chemotherapy are the very first treatment options that are recommended by all the oncologists, but not only these treatments are enough for a mesothelioma patient; there are many effective and exciting ways of alternative treatments, which can be used together with the traditional treatments.

Now, get to the point, here are some really good alternative treatment options that can be really helpful for you:

Art Therapy

Usually all mesothelioma cancer patients experience emotional and physical challenges. To grip with it art therapy is quite a good option! 

Acupuncture

When choosing a palliative treatment, acupuncture is a good alternative. This treatment involves insertion of very narrow and thin needles into the skin at particular pressure points. This is the proven technique to alleviate the pain in many mesothelioma and cancer patients.

Aromatherapy

This therapy uses different kinds of aromatic oils and plants that are used in baths and massage. Because of the fragrances the mood becomes good, which will be really helpful in pain relieving and promoting good health. 

Bowenwork Thearpy

Bowenwork is really helpful in arousing the relaxation response in mesothelioma patients. It is a really good choice when we are trying to get rid of the side-effects related with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Biofeedback

When dealing with the pain, which are usually faced by mesothelioma patients, biofeedback therapy is a good option. It is also called mind-body therapy.   

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is really useful in managing the pain and the side-effects associated with the traditional treatments for mesothelioma.

Chiropractic Care

When going through traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy, chiropractic care is quite a good alternative in alleviating and managing pain.

Dance Movement Therapy

In mesothelioma patients, many times it is difficult to deal with the emotional issues. For this reason, dance movement therapy is not only good, but it is a very exciting choice to connect with these kinds of problems. 

Emotional Freedom Technique

To help out in alleviating pain and anxiety in mesothelioma patients emotional freedom technique (EFT) is used as a complementary therapy with the other conventional treatments.

Feng Shui

Feng Shui, a very famous Chinese system can also be used as an alternative. In Feng Shui we make changes in patient’s environment and by doing this; we are enhancing the flow of Qi energy. During the mesothelioma treatment this complementary therapy helps the patient.

Health Coaching

Health coaching helps patients to enjoy their life to fullest and also enhance their quality of life, ease their stress and pain. Making some really essential changes in patient’s lifestyle will speed up the recovery process from their mesothelioma treatment.

Healing and Therapeutic Touch Therapy

Healing and therapeutic touch therapy is the most promising therapy and it is used extensively by mesothelioma and cancer patients. The response of relaxation in mesothelioma patient is invoked through this therapy. This therapy can actually help in lessening the negative side-effects related with the conventional mesothelioma treatments.

Herbal and Dietary Supplements

There are some incurable diseases, which can be treated with natural herbs as they contain some natural medicinal characteristics. Oftentimes, there are some dietary supplements, which are used in combination with the herbal curatives to help the body by given that it essential minerals and vitamins so that it can fight the disease.

Hypnotherapy

When a patient undergoes mesothelioma cancer treatment, guided hypnosis sessions play a vital role and also have a significant positive effect on the health of patient. That is why; hypnotherapy is now used increasingly as an alternative therapy when treating cancer. 

Homeopathy

When it comes to managing the adverse side-effects of conventional mesothelioma treatments, homeopathy is the best alternative solution. For this reason, there are many mesothelioma patients are going for homeopathy.

Lymph Drainage Therapy

Lymph drainage therapy (LDT) is a practice that is used to gently reduce the swelling after the radiation treatment or surgery in mesothelioma patients.

Light Therapy

Light therapy or phototherapy (also referred to as heliotherapy) helps to ease anxiety, pain and stress and it is used in the conjunction with the conventional mesothelioma treatment.

Massage Therapy

Massage is an excellent practice for relieving stress and anxiety. It can be done by applying hands physically on the body’s soft tissues. It involves methods like Anma (a Japanese massage), Acupressure (a blend of acupuncture and pressure), Balinese massage; all these types of massage have different effects on the body. Massage therapy really helps in reducing stress in muscle and stir up relaxation that’s why it is quite a better option for the mesothelioma cancer patients.   

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy or manipulative therapy is a physical treatment that is quite gentle and non-invasive therapy. It helps to lessen anxiety, stress and pain in mesothelioma patients.

Meditation

Mediation is a practice in which we move into deep relaxation. It is really beneficial for a mesothelioma patient as it develops a composed mind that makes right decisions and should be at ease with the present health situations. Therefore, it is ideal for a person who is suffering from this disease.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is a technique used to ease not only the painful side-effects of mesothelioma cancer treatment, but it also helps outs in lessen the acute and chronic pain.

Myofascial Therapy

Myofascial therapy is used to manage the pain, which is associated with the mesothelioma and other cancers as well.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy or Naturopathic medicine is an alternative that targets the body’s inherent ability to heal itself and for this it focuses on nature’s cure. Naturopathy supports holistic approach by using diet, mineral and other life-style based cures in treating mesothelioma cancer.

Nutritional Sources

A person who has diagnosed with mesothelioma should lead a healthy life-style with proper and substantial nutrition in his/her diet during the treatment.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is helpful in reducing awful side-effects of chemotherapy and many mesothelioma patients find it really supportive when it comes to lessen the fatigue and stress.

Pet Therapy     

Pet therapy (animal-assisted therapy, AAT) uses animals specially dogs to relax and soothe mesothelioma patients.

Personal Fitness

Patients that are undergoing mesothelioma treatment should keep up some level of exercise; it will improve their quality and also their views of life. There are personal fitness trainers, who are trained to help people suffering from this disease. 

Reiki

Reiki is one of the most popular alternative treatments that are being used by many mesothelioma patients. It encourages a deep sense of support and relaxation.

Reflexology

Reflexology (zone therapy) helps manage pain in mesothelioma cancer patients. It is done by applying pressure on feet, hands or ears by using oil or lotion.

Sound Therapy

Sound therapy is a non-invasive kind of therapy. Many mesothelioma patients opt for this therapy as it can reduce pain and stress, which are related with conventional mesothelioma cancer treatments.

Thermography

Thermography (Infrared thermography, thermal video, thermal imaging) is special kind of health imaging that is designed to detect problems in body and also observes throughout the healing process.

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is a better option to alleviate the pain. Usually, physiotherapist administrates TENS therapy and it is done by stimulating electrical pulses in different parts of the body and killing the pain, which then lead in the increase in the level of endorphins. This therapy can also be done at home, but if the patient has all the essential documentation for the equipments of TENS.

Yoga

Yoga is basically a blend of meditation and physical exercise. It is originated from Hindu religion.  Yoga induces relaxation and gratification and also improves sense of unity of mind and body.

I am sure if you use these alternative ways in treating mesothelioma cancer with the conjunction of traditional treatments, you will feel the difference in your life! Stay always healthy and enjoy good things in your life.