Opting for alternative therapies as part of your lymphoma treatment can make the experience less burdensome, yet they should never replace traditional cancer therapies.
Acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy can provide effective ways of alleviating nausea associated with lymphoma treatments and their side effects, such as anxiety or depression. Furthermore, supplements like vitamin E, L-glutamine, or the Japanese herb goshajinkigan may prevent chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Holistic cancer centers
The lymphatic system is an integral component of your immune system that helps defend against infection while clearing away excess fluids and waste products from your body. Unfortunately, sometimes cancerous cells develop within this system – known as lymphomas – despite efforts at treatment such as chemotherapy being most prevalent; alternative holistic remedies like acupuncture and stress reduction techniques have become increasingly popular options that may enhance quality-of-life during chemotherapy and radiation therapies.
These treatments, commonly referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), may help ease some side effects associated with conventional cancer therapies and may make patients feel better after using it; some even reported improvements in symptoms after beginning complementary therapies alongside traditional cancer therapies like lymphoma treatment. It’s best to consult your physician first on which complementary therapies may safely co-exist alongside traditional cancer therapies for best results.
Holistic approaches to cancer care have become more and more popular as more doctors recognize its value in treating all aspects of individual wellness, from conventional medical treatments to nontraditional ones like acupuncture and diet changes to herbal remedies – providing care that addresses both mental and emotional wellbeing as part of one holistic program.
Holistic cancer centers provide patients with access to various holistic therapies, including dietetic approaches, mind-body techniques, vitamin treatments and counseling/support group support services that may prove especially helpful when diagnosed with Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
Immunity plays a pivotal role in treating lymphoma effectively. A holistic cancer center will strive to optimize it through various therapies and lifestyle interventions such as acupuncture, massage and meditation techniques; additionally it may focus on strengthening natural defense mechanisms to create a holistic healing environment for their patients.
Dietary approaches
Some individuals combine complementary therapy with conventional cancer treatments for added support and relief from side effects of treatment, such as acupuncture. Complementary therapies don’t directly treat cancer but may alleviate its side effects such as pain relief or stress levels improvement – and swelling in lymph nodes.
Dieting can help maintain weight stability, mitigate side effects of certain medications and even help protect against infection. Unfortunately, chemotherapy and radiation may make eating challenging; many find their food tastes bland or metallic and their appetite diminishes significantly. If this is happening to you, speak to a dietitian and find ways to get more nutrients into your diet – try including protein-rich foods such as yoghurt, nut butters and beans as well as vegetables, fruits and whole grains into your daily meal plan.
As well as eating high-energy foods like omelettes, milk-based puddings and whole-fat yoghurts to give yourself energy and make digestion easier, drinking lots of fluids will also help your body absorb all of the essential vitamins and minerals it consumes while decreasing dehydration risks.
Your doctor may suggest other complementary or alternative treatments in addition to dietary adjustments, such as Tai Chi and Qigong exercises that promote relaxation and help balance energy systems within the body. Studies suggest these practices can alleviate fatigue, stress levels and inflammation associated with cancer patients; however more research needs to be conducted in people diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Alternative medicines that could help with lymphoma include massage and relaxation techniques to ease stress and tension and promote better restful sleep. Many patients also rely on plant-based therapies like Devil’s Claw to prevent cancer cells from proliferating further.
In 2022, approximately half a million people were diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 82,409 with Hodgkin lymphoma – both types of blood cancers that occur when germ-fighting white blood cells, called lymphocytes, become cancerous due to mutation. Chemotherapy is often recommended to kill cancerous cells and stop further growth; other options include bone marrow transplants that infuse healthy stem cells back into the body or radiation therapy which uses high powered energy beams such as X-rays or protons to kill cancerous cells.
Mind-body techniques
Mind-body techniques involve using mental concentration and controlled breathing to relax the body, helping people manage physical pain, stress, anxiety and depression as well as cancer treatments and other medical conditions. Meditation, hypnosis massage therapy and yoga may all be effective forms of mind-body techniques but should never replace traditional treatment approaches; rather they’re intended only to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life for patients.
Although historically considered separate entities, modern medicine is increasingly aware of their intimate connection. This trend is driven by scientific evidence showing how mind can impact physical symptoms and promote healing – for instance a study with 86 women suffering late stage breast cancer found those participating in weekly support groups lived twice as long. Other clinical trials have also demonstrated this ability of mind over body healing.
Acupuncture, aromatherapy, guided imagery, Tai chi and other mind-body techniques all promote healthier responses to stress in the body. By activating relaxation response systems released by your brain when in danger – which release fight or flight hormones into your system that increase blood pressure and heart rate in response – they help keep a person more relaxed overall, which in turn reduces illness risk.
Mind-body techniques should also be treated as cumulative practices; results take time and dedication to achieve. If you’re new to them, start slowly before gradually increasing intensity over time. Furthermore, be sure to get approval from your physician prior to commencing any mind-body techniques.
Mind-body therapies’ effectiveness varies significantly among patients. While studies indicate they’re useful in relieving symptoms associated with various illnesses, their conclusive effectiveness remains in question. Still, mind-body therapies should still be explored because they’re cost-effective and won’t interfere with conventional care – for instance, lymphoma patients could use acupuncture to ease any associated aches or pains.
Herbal and plant-based therapies
People living with lymphoma often turn to alternative and complementary treatments for help, including dietetic approaches, herbal and natural medicines, acupuncture and massage therapy. While these techniques may provide temporary relief and improve quality of life, none has yet been shown to reduce cancer risks or enhance conventional therapy – they could even pose potential serious complications that should always be discussed beforehand with your healthcare team.
Diets rich in whole foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, can play an essential role in optimizing treatment outcomes while managing side effects. People living with lymphoma should eat smaller meals more often while limiting sugary drinks, caffeine consumption and processed food consumption as much as possible. A plant-based diet is optimal but if your doctor advises otherwise it is wise to follow their advice.
Natural products have demonstrated anticancerous activity through intracellular mechanisms such as cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Devil’s Claw Tuberous Root in particular was reported to inhibit both cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) activity and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, leading to decreased tumor mass in two follicular lymphoma patients who experienced spontaneous regression. This activity can be observed with both cells lines.
Melatonin, an over-the-counter sleep aid, has proven beneficial in many lymphoma cases. Before taking it however, please check with your healthcare provider as melatonin could potentially interact with various medications and disrupt treatment plans.
Most NHL survivors reported using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with 78% using vitamins, 54% herbal supplements, and 47% using alternative therapy specifically to combat their cancer. Female gender and older age were associated with greater overall CAM use including vitamins and herbs. Other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques included acupressure, biofeedback and hypnosis. Acupuncture is used to alleviate stress and tension at specific points while hypnosis involves inducing an altered state of consciousness wherein people become more open to suggestions from others. Biofeedback involves using special machines to learn how to control bodily functions that normally go unnoticed (such as heart rate and blood pressure). Hypnosis can be used as an effective therapy tool against pain, anxiety, nausea and depression.
