---
title: "Cancer and Complementary and Alternative Therapies"
url: https://alsuprun.com/blog/alternative-therapy/cancer-and-complementary-and-alternative-therapies/
author: "Editorial"
date: 2026-10-15T20:36:10+00:00
categories: ["alternative therapy"]
tags: []
---

# Cancer and Complementary and Alternative Therapies

People with cancer often use complementary and [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/). These are used alongside conventional treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy and drugs to help you feel better and cope with the side effects of your treatment. All medical treatments have to go through strict testing to prove that they work and are safe. However, many complementary and [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) have not been tested.

 

## CAM

 CAM is a term that encompasses many holistic therapies. Until recently, most of these therapies were not taught in medical schools or used in hospitals or reimbursed by medical insurance. Now, they are becoming more popular. Many patients use CAM in addition to or instead of conventional medicine. Whether you consider these practices complementary or alternative, they have been shown to improve psychological and physical well-being.

 Research shows that a variety of CAM techniques may reduce anxiety, depression, and pain. Moreover, they can improve sleep and energy levels. Some even help people with chronic illness manage their symptoms. For instance, acupuncture has been shown to help people with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions.

 [![Rejuvenate your whole body & balance your health without medications - now remotely!](https://alsuprun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/BioresonanceTopAd.png)](https://www.bioresonance.rent) Some CAM treatments can also provide emotional support. For example, the calming effects of yoga can increase stress tolerance and decrease anxiety. Acupuncture can also improve mood by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Other CAM therapies include meditation, hypnosis, massage, and music therapy. Some of these therapies can be a good complement to psychotherapy, particularly for individuals with mental health disorders.

 While the US government’s lead agency for scientific research on CAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), has little evidence that most of these practices are effective, there is enough proof to show that some of them can be beneficial. NCCAM categorizes CAM practices into four domains — mind-body, bio-based, manipulation, and energy — while recognizing that some overlap exists. It also studies CAM whole medical systems, which cut across the domains.

 For instance, homeopathy uses very small doses of highly diluted substances that in larger doses would produce illness or symptoms, an approach known as the principle of “like cures like.” Although the FDA regulates dietary supplements and herbal remedies, some may not be safe and could interact with certain medications.

 [![](https://alsuprun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ForeverYoungYouWannaBe.png)](https://alsuprun.com/services.html#Contact) Regardless of whether you think CAM is beneficial, it’s important to discuss it with your healthcare provider. Some of these therapies can be harmful if they are combined with conventional medicines, such as sedatives and blood thinners. It’s also important to understand the risks and benefits of CAM before you try it.

 

## Complementary and alternative medicine

 Complementary and alternative medicine is a growing sector of healthcare, providing support to traditional medical treatments. It incorporates mind and body approaches that are not usually taught in a medical school, such as meditation, massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga and tai chi. These techniques offer benefits like reduced stress and pain, improved sleep and enhanced energy. They also help patients manage the side effects of medication or cancer treatments. They promote the philosophy that health is holistic and focuses on treating the whole person.

 Some complementary therapies have significant scientific evidence supporting their use. Some examples include acupuncture for managing pain, mindfulness meditation to reduce anxiety, and therapeutic touch to enhance energy and comfort. Other practices, such as herbal medicine, are not widely used but may be helpful to some people. Examples of herbal medicines include ginkgo biloba for cognitive function and echinacea for fighting the cold and flu.

 However, most complementary therapies haven’t been thoroughly tested to prove their effectiveness. Consequently, they should be used with caution. It’s also important to talk with your traditional healthcare provider about complementary medicine before pursuing it. They can help you find reliable sources of information, such as scientific journals and trustworthy books.

 Most complementary practitioners work with your traditional healthcare providers to ensure that all aspects of your treatment plan are consistent. They’ll ask about any medications you’re taking or have taken in the past, as well as any natural products and supplements you’re using. By ensuring that all the players in your treatment plan are on the same page, you’ll have a better chance of success.

 While complementary therapies don’t replace conventional medicine, they can be an excellent tool to help treat the underlying causes of your condition. Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain and nausea, while mindfulness meditation can help you relax and improve sleep.

 [![](https://alsuprun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/RadionicMerch.png)](https://alsuprun.com/merch.html) Many people who seek complementary and [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) are seeking a more congruent healthcare approach that respects their personal health philosophy. While they don’t reject conventional medicine, they choose to integrate CAM into their care plans to optimize their chances of becoming healthy and staying that way.

 

## Alternative therapies

 Unlike conventional medicine, which tends to focus solely on the symptoms of illness, [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) often address wellness holistically. They take a whole-person approach to healing, which incorporates diet and nutrition, exercise, psychological well-being, spiritual stability, and stress management. These treatments offer a wide range of benefits, including reducing chronic pain and enhancing the patient-physician relationship. They also allow patients to take a more active role in their own health journey. They can be used in conjunction with conventional resources.

 

## Complementary therapies for cancer

 Cancer patients have a variety of options for complementary therapies. Many of these have been proven to be effective in reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatment, such as pain, nausea and fatigue. Some of these include yoga, meditation, music therapy and acupuncture. Other therapies are used to help with stress, anxiety and depression. They can also improve overall quality of life. Despite their popularity, complementary therapies are not without risks. Some are invasive, and others can interfere with certain cancer treatments. For this reason, it is important to consult a doctor before trying any CAM practice.

 To determine whether complementary therapies are effective in helping cancer patients cope with the side effects of cancer treatment, a systematic peer review was conducted. The research included randomised clinical trials (RCTs) published between 2013 and 2018 in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and WOS. Thirty-two RCTs met the inclusion criteria. These studies covered a broad range of complementary therapies including acupuncture and related techniques, dance-movement therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, massage, slow breathing, dietary supplements and prayer. Overall, the results indicated that CTs were associated with improvements in pain, fatigue, sleep quality and social well-being, though the effect sizes were small. The benefits were often therapy-specific and varied, highlighting the need for further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups.

 In addition to the above, exercise can help ease nausea, headaches and fatigue. It can also boost the immune system, which can be compromised by chemotherapy. It’s important to distinguish between integrative oncology and alternative medicine, which focuses on treatments that have no scientific support.

 The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on complementary and integrative health approaches and on scientifically based evidence that supports their use. The site is designed to help consumers make informed health care decisions. Its search features provide access to Federal databases of scientific and medical literature, which are systematically reviewed to identify the highest-quality content. The Clearinghouse is a service of the National Institutes of Health and is free of charge. The website also includes Know the Science, a tool to help you understand the basics of scientific research so that you can better evaluate health-related information.

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