Hello everyone,
Lots
of my friends believe in natural and alternative therapies. I find
this subject interesting. I myself try to use natual remedies when I
have a cold, or other minor ailments, as my mum always taught me to
only use medication when you are very sick. However, When it comes to
cancer, natural treatments are not standalone cancer cures. However,
some therapies appear to aid cancer treatment and cancer sufferers so
I have done some research and will focus on this in today’s post.
The
confusing thing is people tend to treat “complimentary therapies”
and “alternative therapies” as if one and the same. This is
slightly misleading so I have decided to explain them both
individually.
Complementary
therapies are used ALONGSIDE conventional treatment to help you cope
with the side effects or to ease them if possible. They are not cures
and should not be used instead of conventional treatment such as
chemotherapy.
Alternative
therapies are usually used INSTEAD of conventional treatment options.
Conventional treatments will have been tested and proven to work
before being given the go ahead to be widely used. Most alternative
therapies have not been through the same purpose and have not been
scientifically proven to work. Some have harmful side effects and
most will not cure you.
You
must always seek medical advice before using any form of alternative
or complementary therapy. You must also discuss your cancer and
treatment with the therapist in charge
of the complementary or alternative therapy.
Complementary
Therapies:
Complimentary
therapies are supposed to be used alongside conventional cancer
treatments to help the sufferer deal with the side effects of the
treatment. They can also improve quality of life and ease the
symptoms.
Complementary
therapies should not be used instead of conventional treatment and a
good complimentary therapist should always make that clear and
encourage you to see advice from your doctor and medical team
beforehand.
Complimentary
therapies include:
*Aromatherapy
*Acupuncture
*Herbal
Medicine
*Massage
Therapy
*Yoga
Many
health professionals know that these therapies can help cancer
sufferers and are in support of them being used alongside
conventional treatment. However, some are reluctant to encourage
their patients to use them and this is because many have not yet been
scientifically proven. Research is being carried out to see how they
work and these studies will help the medical world to fully
understand the best ways to use complementary therapies.
Alternative
therapies are used instead of conventional treatment. This could be
for a number of reasons such as the patient not wanting to have
conventional treatment or a patient not having success with
conventional treatment and wishing to try another way.
It
is a alarming to note how many people claim alternative therapies
have cured cancer or can cure cancer. A trustworthy therapist would
never encourage someone to seek alternative therapy in place of
conventional treatment and it is actually quite dangerous for people
to claim conventional treatments are harmful and alternatives are
safer and more reliable. So far there is no medical or scientific
evidence to support this claim and some alternative therapies are
actually very harmful and very expensive. Some may even stop
conventional treatment being effective in fighting cancer. People are
very clever and are able to make these treatments seem like miracles
which attract people with no hope. This is false advertisement and
incredibly misleading. Please always seek medical advice if you are
thinking of going down this road.
Using
Complementary Therapies:
Around
a third of UK cancer patients use some kind of complimentary therapy.
There is no evidence that they cure the cancer or prevent it from
occurring in the first place but many are drawn to seek complementary
therapies to help them deal with the side effects and symptoms of
their cancer. Some help you reduce stress and can encourage
relaxation and some are able to calm you and relieve anxiety. They
can also help you feel more in control of your illness. Some will
reduce the amount of pain you are in. ALWAYS seek medical advice and
do your research before using any complimentary therapy. Be open with
your therapies about your cancer type, your treatment and your life
as these will all factor into your complimentary therapy.
I
hope this post has made you more informed of the kind of therapies
available, I will focus on some individually. Please do take my
advice and seek medical assistance before embarking on any kind of
complementary therapy and DEFINITELY seek advice from your medical
team before considering any alternative therapies. I know sometimes
it can seem like there is a miracle and some people are very
persuasive, but it is always better to trust your doctor.
xxx
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