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HOLISTIC
CANCER CURES
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So far, no one has proven that you can think away cancer cells—and not for lack of trying. But these mind-body approaches can help you ease the side effects of cancer treatments and just plain feel better about life. The following therapies have been used to help people with cancer cope with feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. These may be available as part of standard support in some cancer centers. 
For many people the word meditation implies a religious activity that they may find difficult to accept. But though people in all major religions of the world use meditation exercises, it is not necessary to have any religious belief in order to meditate. One way of understanding meditation is to see it as a mental exercise which can help to deeply relax and calm the mind, thus reducing fear, pain, anxiety and depression. All these feelings may affect people with cancer and it is also very easy to feel 'out of control'. Regular meditation can help people feel more in control of themselves and their lives. Many studies have shown that regular meditation reduces the pulse rate and lowers blood pressure and 'stress' chemicals in the body. Existent techniques of meditation can be categorized under two fairly broad sections—Zen-based forms such as Mindfulness Meditation and Vipassana, which are more "insight"-oriented and Hinduism-based forms such as Yoga Nidra and Transcendental Meditation, which are largely "concentration"-oriented. Most New Age techniques fall into either of these categories. For more details on Meditation click here.  This is something that goes on informally all the time between partners, friends, parents and children, husbands and wives, and it is important to recognize you don't have to be a counselor to talk to someone with cancer. The most important thing is to listen attentively. Sometimes, however, it is difficult for people who are undergoing a stressful and emotional time to talk to the people closest to them, who may also be very upset. They may find it easier to talk to someone who is outside their immediate circle. A trained counselor will be able to provide emotional support by allowing the person to express his or her feelings and fears. A counselor will not tell you what to do, but counseling may help you to see things differently and to make decisions. Counseling may be available at your cancer center or through your GP. | ||||||||||||||||
Hypnotherapy or hypnosis is a way to get oneself into a trancelike state
during which one is susceptible to the power of suggestion, usually a
therapist's suggestion. Getting through to this suggestible part of oneself
can be a powerful way to break away from bad habits and irrational fears,
manage pain, and relieve a variety of ailments.
Clinical hypnotherapy for cancer can be beneficial in controlling symptoms, so that the individual can utilise imagery to reduce pain or discomfort, nausea and vomiting. You are able to increase food intake, decrease anxiety regarding medical procedures, decrease the ill effects of radiation, and improve general mental attitude, motivation and relaxation. The reduction or even elimination of depression assists in well being and creates better coping abilities. Hypnosis does not cure anything, it is used as a therapeutic tool to assist the subconscious mind to take on board suggestions that are for the client’s benefit, without the conscious mind causing interference. Cancer often creates horrendous negative thoughts and feelings, reducing confidence, a low self-esteem which can produce anxiety, stress and/or depression. By using clinical hypnosis to control symptoms, one can provide the patient with a sense of control, and reduce feelings of powerlessness and helplesness.There are many hypnotherapy techniques that can give symptomatic relief from nausea, vomiting, discomfort, pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, giving a higher quality to that person’s present and remaining period of life. |
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With the help of special machines, people can learn to control certain
body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
Biofeedback is sometimes used to help people learn to relax. Cancer
patients can use biofeedback techniques to reduce anxiety and help them
cope with their pain. Biofeedback is usually used with other pain-relief
methods.
For more details on Biofeedback click here. |
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A simple breathing and relaxation can be very useful for a variety of conditions, from migraine and high blood pressure to cancer. Almost everyone can learn the technique and it can offer immediate and, at times, quite dramatic reduction in the effects of anxiety and muscle tension, and on the nervous system that controls blood pressure and the digestive tract. Many people with cancer, and indeed many of their relatives, can be helped to relax and experience a sense of calmness if taught these simple methods. One can learn the techniques at home using an audio, or join a group. Self-help exercises require motivation and constant practice if the person is going to benefit, and this may best be achieved by attending group classes. Lying flat may be uncomfortable for people who are breathless or in pain. That, however, shouldn't discourage you since many relaxation exercises can be done sitting up or using pillows for support. Relaxation relieves pain or keeps it from getting worse by reducing tension in the muscles. It can help one fall asleep, give more energy, make one less tired, reduce anxiety, and make other pain relief methods work better. Some people, for instance, find that taking a pain medicine or using a cold or hot pack works faster and better when they relax at the same time. |
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There
are many methods of relaxation. Some of them are: Visual Concentration and Rhythmic Massage: Open your eyes and stare at an object, or close your eyes and think of a peaceful, calm scene. With the palm of your hand, massage near the area of pain in a circular, firm manner. Avoid red, raw, swollen, or tender areas. You may wish to ask a family member or friend to do this for you. Inhale/Tense, Exhale/Relax: 1. Breathe in (inhale) deeply. At the same time, tense your muscles or a group of muscles. For example, you can squeeze your eyes shut, frown, clench your teeth, make a fist, stiffen your arms and legs, or draw up your arms and legs as tightly as you can. 2. Hold your breath and keep your muscles tense for a second or two. 3. Let go! Breathe out (exhale) and let your body go limp. |
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Slow
Rhythmic Breathing: 1. Stare at an object or close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing or on a scene. 2. Take a slow, deep breath and, as you breathe in, tense your muscles (such as your arms). 3. As you breathe out, relax your muscles and feel the tension draining. 4. Now remain relaxed and begin breathing slowly and comfortably, concentrating on your breathing, taking about 9 to 12 breaths a minute. Do not breathe too deeply. 5. To maintain a slow, even rhythm as you breathe out, you can say silently to yourself, "In, one, two; out, one, two." It may be helpful at first if someone counts out loud for you. If you ever feel out of breath, take a deep breath and then continue the slow breathing exercise. Each time you breathe out, feel yourself relaxing and going limp. If some muscles are not relaxed such as your shoulders, tense them as you breathe in and relax them as you breathe out. You need to do this only once or twice for each specific muscle group. 6. Continue slow, rhythmic breathing for a few seconds up to 10 minutes, depeacefulpending on your need. 7. To end your slow rhythmic breathing, count silently and slowly from one to three. Open your eyes. Say silently to yourself: "I feel alert and relaxed." Begin moving about slowly. Other Methods You Can Add To Slow Rhythmic Breathing: • Imagery. • Listen to slow, familiar music through an earphone or headset. • Progressive relaxation of body parts. Once you are breathing slowly and comfortably, you may relax different body parts, starting with your feet and working up to your head. Think of words such as limp, heavy, light, warm, or floating. Each time you breathe out, you can focus on a particular area of the body and feel it relaxing. Try to imagine that the tension is draining from that area. For example, as you breathe out, feel your feet and ankles relaxing; the next time you breathe out, feel your calves and knees relaxing, and so on up your body. |
 All
animate and inanimate objects in this universe share the same fundamental unity
of existence of Prana, vibrating at different frequencies. The body-mind
complex has an electromagnetic field underlying it and connecting it to self-consciousness
or the soul. As such it is a manifestation of what we call in yoga, Purusha
and Prakriti (cosmic consciousness and cosmic energy).
Vibrational Breath Therapy is based on classical scientific yogic breathing and the primordial sound, "A-U-M". By practicing the various techniques we regulate the pranic content of the air we breathe in to cleanse, purify, tone and energize. While chanting "AUM" we attune to cellular vibration and integrate both body and mind. In other words we create the optimum conditions within the body-mind complex for renewal, repair and healing. In a Vibrational Breath Therapy program, a range of basic and advanced practices are harmoniously blended to suit each individual. The practices chosen depend upon the evaluation of student-patient's need based on lifestyle, the physical, mental and emotional traumas experienced, medical history and present condition. |
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Vibrational
Breath Therapy has succeeded in reversing the progress of ill health in
a range of serious conditions such as cancer, asthma, depression, anxiety
neurosis and has assisted in managing HIV, multiple sclerosis and chronic
fatigue syndrome. In almost all cases where the student-patients committed
themselves to the discipline of the daily practice of a Vibrational Breath
Therapy program, they achieved a degree of mastery over both body and
mind, healing themselves or managing their condition better.
Vibrational Breath Therapy addresses the following requisites for good health by putting the healing potential into the hands of the individual: • The need to take in the supply of oxygen required by the body. • A flexible and supple spine. • A reasonably small waistline. • The health and vitality of the vital organs of the chest, abdominal and pelvic cavities and their efficiency and harmonious function. • The digestion, assimilation and absorption of food and elimination of toxic wastes. • A nervous system which can handle this lifestyle of great speed and greater greed. • The daily practice of the chanting of the mantra, "A-U-M" to take the body to deep levels of rest and renewal. For some people, pain can be relieved without using medicine. They use relaxation, imagery, distraction, and skin stimulation. One may need the help of health professionals to learn to do these on their own. Friends or family members can help with some of them. The techniques are also useful along with pain medicines. Information about nondrug treatments for pain also may be available at a local hospice, cancer treatment center, or hospital pain clinic. For more details on Breath Therapy click here. |
Distraction means turning your attention to something other than the pain. Many people use this method without realizing it when they watch television or listen to the radio to "take their minds off" the pain. Distraction may work better than medicine if pain is sudden and intense or if it is brief, lasting only 5 to 45 minutes. Distraction is useful when one is waiting for the pain killer to start working. It can be a temporary relief for even the most intense pain. Any activity that occupies one's attention can be used for distraction. If you enjoy working with your hands, crafts such as needlework, model building, or painting may be useful. Losing yourself in a good book might divert your mind from the pain. Going to a movie or watching television are also good distraction methods. Slow, rhythmic breathing can be used for distraction as well as relaxation. |
Organized groups, where people with cancer and their families meet others
in a similar situation, can be helpful. Often this is the first opportunity
that families have to discuss their experiences with other people living
with cancer. These groups can be a source of information and support and
can provide an opportunity for people to talk about their feelings. Health
professionals, doctors and nurses, counselors or psychotherapists in a
hospital run some groups. More commonly, people with cancer run groups.
They often offer different techniques to teach coping strategies together
with relaxation or visualization, as well as practical information and
emotional support.
The support groups encourage sharing of mutual fears and concerns in a supportive, nonconfrontive setting. The group members communicate with one another frequently outside the group setting. In the group they deal with difficult family relationships, share with the others what they had learned from their disease, and mourn those members who died. They also work on improving communication with surgeons and oncologists. |
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More
Information on Self-Help and Support Groups:
Patient Information Publications, List of Self-Help and Support Groups Cancerbacup— Information on complementary and alternative therapies, psychological and self-help therapies, organizations offering such therapies. Center for Mind-Body Medicine Home Page—Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C and founded by James S. Gordon, MD, offers educational support groups teaching mind-body-spirit medicine. Caring Medical and Rehabilitation Services, S.C. —Caring Medical is a full service natural health clinic. The Cancer Cure Foundation— List of clinics offering alternative therapies in America. | ||
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