---
title: "Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer"
url: https://alsuprun.com/blog/alternative-therapy/complementary-and-alternative-therapies-for-cancer-2/
author: "Editorial"
date: 2026-09-24T22:32:07+00:00
categories: ["alternative therapy"]
tags: []
---

# Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer

Complementary and [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) are practices that can be used alongside medical treatments prescribed by your doctor. However, they aren’t recommended in place of traditional Western medicines.

 Some complementary and alternative health approaches haven’t been studied with rigorous scientific methods. These may cause harm, or interfere with your medicine.

 Before trying anything new, talk to your healthcare professional and find out what’s known about its safety. Also check with your insurance company to see if it’s covered.

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## What is complementary medicine?

 The term complementary medicine is used to describe therapies that are used in addition to standard medical treatment. They may include dietary supplements, herbal medicines and other natural remedies. It also includes certain types of physical therapy and meditation. It’s important to talk to your doctor before trying complementary or [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/). They can help you find out if they are safe and will not interfere with your cancer treatments.

 Acupuncture is a Chinese technique that involves placing tiny needles in the skin at specific points on the body. It’s based on an ancient belief that energy flows through pathways in the body called meridians. Acupuncture practitioners believe that by stimulating these meridians, a person can balance their chi and improve health.

 Some people use acupuncture as part of their cancer treatment, especially when it helps ease the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation. Others might use it to feel more calm and relaxed or to cope with stress. Acupuncture is considered an alternative medicine because it has not been tested scientifically to see if it works.

 [![](https://alsuprun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ForeverYoungYouWannaBe.png)](https://alsuprun.com/services.html#Contact) All standard medical treatments go through rigorous testing to make sure they are safe and will work. Most complementary therapies have not been through this type of testing, so it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before using them.

 NCCIH is working to determine, through rigorous scientific investigation, the fundamental science, usefulness, and safety of complementary and integrative health approaches. This information will be used to inform decisions by the public, healthcare professionals, and policy makers regarding their uses in a whole person health framework.

 Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian practice that focuses on the balance of mind, body, and spirit. It believes that each person’s unique combination of the five universal elements — space, air, fire, water and earth — makes up their personality. Ayurvedic therapies are based on these beliefs and promote wellness through diet, exercise, herbal medicine, meditation and other techniques.

 Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that involves very diluted doses of herbs or other substances. It’s based on the belief that these tiny amounts can stimulate your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

 

## What is alternative medicine?

 The term alternative medicine is often used to describe practices that have not been scientifically tested and are unlikely to work. These therapies can include everything from ancient Eastern practices like acupuncture and Tai chi to Reiki, chiropractic manipulation, and herbal medicines. Alternative medicine practitioners are generally not trained in the Western medical system. They may not be licensed or insured and their methods are often based on beliefs rather than science. Alternative treatments are not likely to improve your health or treat your cancer, but they might make you feel better.

 Some people use complementary or [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) to cope with the side effects of conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Many health professionals are reluctant to recommend complementary or [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) for their patients because they have not been tested as rigorously as conventional cancer treatments. Some of these therapies can be harmful or interfere with cancer treatments.

 [![](https://alsuprun.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/RadionicMerch.png)](https://alsuprun.com/merch.html) There are five main categories of CAM, which are: whole medical systems, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body-based methods, mind-body interventions, and energy therapies. Acupuncture and herbal remedies are examples of traditional Chinese medicine and other medical systems formulated outside of Western culture, such as naturopathy and homeopathy. Manipulative and body-based therapies include massage, tai chi, and chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation. Mind-body interventions include meditation, biofeedback, and psychotherapy. Energy therapies are based on the belief that healing comes from supernatural sources.

 Some [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) have been shown to be effective, and others have not. However, many of the claimed benefits of these therapies are due to the placebo effect or to a patient’s belief that the treatment is working. Patients who choose to use [alternative therapy](https://alsuprun.com/) are more likely to do so when their conventional treatment fails and they feel there is no hope for recovery, which can lead to worse outcomes in the long run. The goal is to find the best balance of treatments that work for each person, with the most well-researched conventional medicine being combined with the most promising complementary or [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/). This approach is called integrative medicine.

 

## How can complementary therapies help me?

 Many people believe that complementary therapies can help them feel better and be more hopeful about their health. Some people use these therapies in addition to their traditional cancer treatment. There is no scientific evidence that complementary therapies can cure or control cancer, but some of them may provide some health benefits, such as stress relief and increased energy. Some [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/) may interact with certain medications, so it is important to talk to your doctor before trying one.

 Most healthcare providers recommend that people use complementary treatments together with standard therapy. Some examples of complementary therapies are acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine, biofeedback, tai chi, yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques, music therapy, guided imagery, nutritional supplements and traditional healing.

 The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) focuses on the scientific investigation of the safety, effectiveness and clinical value of complementary and integrative health approaches. This includes identifying mechanisms of action and potential adverse effects of these approaches. It also aims to promote well-coordinated care by integrating conventional and complementary therapies within a whole person health framework.

 Some complementary therapies, such as tai chi and meditation, can be useful in managing stress. There is also evidence that some [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/), such as acupressure and reflexology, can be helpful in reducing pain and discomfort from cancer and its treatment.

 Acupuncture, yoga and massage therapy can help relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy drugs. These techniques can also help reduce headaches, fatigue and other side effects of head and neck cancer treatment.

 There are a number of ways to find a qualified practitioner of complementary and [alternative therapies](https://alsuprun.com/). Most traditional health practitioners who offer these approaches have training in at least one of them. You can also ask your doctor or nurses about the practitioner you are considering and whether they have worked with people who have the same health condition as you. It is important to keep all your healthcare providers up to date about any complementary or integrative practices you are using, so they can have a complete picture of what you do to manage your health.

 

## How can I find a complementary therapist?

 The therapist you choose should be a qualified practitioner of the specific form of therapy you want to use. Some therapists are registered with professional bodies and will have their qualifications listed on their website or in the directory of the organisation they belong to. It is important to check these details and to find out how much training and experience they have had in treating people with cancer. You should also ask if they have had any complaints made against them and whether they have insurance to cover you in the event of harm resulting from treatment.

 You might wish to consider taking someone with you to an appointment so they can support you and take notes. This may be particularly helpful if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Your GP or your cancer care team can often recommend complementary therapists in your area. They can also help you find out more about these therapies and which ones might be suitable for you. You might also like to ask for recommendations from friends or relatives.

 You should always tell your traditional health care providers about any complementary therapies you are considering using. They can give you insight into the safety and scientific evidence supporting these approaches, and they can also make sure they work well with any other treatments you are receiving. You should also keep them updated on all complementary medicines, supplements and therapies you are using so they have a complete picture of how your health is being managed.

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