Stomach Cancer Alternative Treatment Options
Alternative Therapies
Modern medicine techniques for treating stomach cancer, such as chemotherapy and surgery, have many benefits for patients. They seek to
destroy cancerous material, or rid the body from cancer, and in many cases are effective. There are negative side effects however, as these treatments are not only detrimental to the cancer, but to the human body. They do not provide a solution to the psychological and spiritual struggles that cancer patients go through during treatment. Modern medicine also fails to empower a patient to return to a state of well-being, which is necessary for recovery, but also to prevent the cancer from returning.
What conventional care lacks is what a stomach cancer alternative treatment can provide. Alternative medicine approaches care from a holistic viewpoint, addressing not only physical well-being, but emotional, mental, and spiritual health as well. Complementary therapies offer more subtle benefits, such as stress-relief, pain management, and proper nutrition, facets that are essential for optimum health.
Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine is an ideal complimentary therapy for stomach cancer, in that it can easily be integrated into conventional care. This form of healing focuses on non-invasive, holistic treatment to encourage the body to heal naturally. A naturopahtic doctor will not perform any type of surgery, or prescribe drugs. What he or she will do, is have an in-depth consultation with a patient in order to develop the best treatment methods for the particular individual. The use of herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, and lifestyle changes are often advised by a naturopathic doctor. She may also refer a patient to another form of alternative medicine for care, for example, suggesting acupuncture treatment to help with pain management.
Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is a form of mind-body medicine. The mind is used to promote healing and well-being. A guided imagery exercise can be done at home, with an audio recording, or with the help of a therapist. A patient will visualize a set of images, which may symbolize the healing process. This type of treatment is extremely effective in relieving stress, instilling a sense of peace, and can stimulate immune response.
Energy Healing
There are many different types of energy healing, such as Reiki and crystal therapy. This form of alternative medicine generally involves the laying-on-of hands, and the transfer of healing energy. Energy healing operates on the principals of the multidimensional human form, thus creating the guidelines for physical health, through impacting the subtle energy bodies. It is completely non-invasive, and with a trained professional, very effective in promoting a sense of balance and inner peace.
By choosing a stomach cancer alternative treatment, to be used along with conventional medicine, patients may experience a much deeper healing, then with modern care alone. As holistic care is becoming increasingly popular, finding the right complimentary treatment is as simple as talking to your health care practitioner about additional treatment options.
Resources
“Complementary/Alternative Medicine for Cancer of the Stomach.” (Cancer Treatment Centers of America) <cancercenter.com/stomach-cancer/complementary-alternative-stomach-treatment.cfm>.
“Holistic Medicine.” (American Cancer Society). <cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Holistic_Medicine.asp>.
Photo Credit
photo by: Geishaboy (CC/flickr) <flickr.com/photos/geishaboy500/4313908593/>.
photo by: Scott Wood-Fehr (CC/flickr) <flickr.com/photos/woodsfehr/127781023/>.
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