Alternative therapies are nontraditional forms of medicine that may be used either alongside conventional treatments or instead of them, and are sometimes known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Many complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices have not undergone rigorous scientific scrutiny to prove their efficacy, and some can have adverse side effects or interfere with cancer treatments.
They boost the immune system
Many cancer patients rely on alternative therapies, including Ayurveda, to enhance their immunity. This practice, dating back centuries, is founded upon the belief that all living beings consist of space, air, fire, water and earth – the five elements forming our planet’s ecosystems. Each person combines certain combinations of these elements to form their individual energy or “dosha,” controlling both body and mind. Some therapies also help strengthen immunity by clearing away toxins, oxygenating cells, and increasing antioxidant production. You may find these techniques available at medical clinics; one such therapy – oxygen ozone therapy – may even strengthen it further by strengthening cell telomeres for improved cell health and optimising your immunity.
At one time, conventional medical practitioners were inclined to dismiss alternative therapies as unnecessary; but today some are recognized for helping improve immunity and combat cancer. When combined with conventional treatment options, however, alternative therapies can provide substantial health benefits – so always consult with your physician first about which ones might be appropriate for you.
Studies have indicated that those using alternative therapies alongside their conventional treatment tend to fare better, yet there is no scientific proof that such therapies can control or cure cancer; some may even cause detrimental side effects.
Some alternative therapies claim to enhance immunity, yet lack any solid evidence supporting their efficacy. They are frequently met with suspicion from medical experts and scientific studies are rarely performed on them; many practices based on ancient traditions while others may be newer and less regulated than mainstream approaches.
Although alternative therapies may sound attractive, it’s crucial that you first consult with your physician before undertaking them. As the risks associated with alternative therapies can increase significantly – the potential complications and worsening of conditions is greater when trying such approaches, so be sure to be informed of both risks and benefits before proceeding with any therapies or supplements. It is also essential to note that some of these therapies should only ever serve as supplements and not take their place alongside conventional treatment strategies.
They can help control cancer
Contrary to what may have been reported, there is no scientific proof that alternative therapies can treat or control cancer. Indeed, some treatments have the opposite effect and actually promote rapid tumor growth; others interfere with conventional medical therapies and cause them to no longer work effectively; such claims give people false hope while leading them away from treatments that would actually benefit them.
Alternative therapies come in many forms; some purport to prevent or cure cancer while others aim at simply improving health and wellness. Common examples include homeopathy, herbal medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathy and physical therapy methods such as massage or electromagnetic therapy – however these practices should not be seen as standard medical practice as no large scale clinical trials have been performed on them yet.
Complimentary and alternative medicine may help alleviate side effects from conventional medical treatments, but it’s always wise to discuss any use with your physician first. They will know if one therapy might interfere with another, have research backing its use, or be compatible with existing medications you take.
If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, it can be an alarming and frightening diagnosis. While accepting that traditional cancer treatments won’t work is hard to do, take comfort knowing there are alternative ways to help feel better and cope with the disease. Many hospitals and cancer centers provide integrative medicine departments which work with you to find complementary or alternative therapies which are safe.
There’s plenty of information online about complementary and alternative medicine, but not all of it can be trusted. Some is written by individuals seeking to make money and may contain false claims which have not been scientifically tested for effectiveness; other claims are based on outdated ideas rejected by scientists; some can even be dangerous, especially for pregnant or nursing mothers.
They can give people false hope
Alternative therapy refers to practices and treatments not supported by scientific evidence, and may prove beneficial for some while being dangerous for others. Before engaging in alternative therapies it is essential that you fully understand their risks as well as consult a healthcare professional who can provide more details regarding different kinds of alternative therapies available and their workings.
The false hope harms (FHH) argument asserts that providers have an ethical duty to avoid endorsing and promoting false hopes in medicine, because hope serves vital therapeutic and active agent functions while potentially leading to harmful results.
Hope can often lead to unrealistic expectations and requests for healthcare interventions, including rights of try or resuscitative measures in terminally ill patients. Such requests deviate from widely accepted standards of care and can contribute to FHH; especially as consumer medicine grows ever more prevalent in healthcare delivery systems.
This new model of patient-provider relationships may cause harms for some. For instance, some patients pursue multiple invasive therapies or become vulnerable to faith healers in the belief that these interventions will cure their disease; this may lead to poor judgement, goal oriented behaviour and an accumulation of emotional stress.
Life-threatening illness patients who have exhausted traditional treatment options often turn to investigational drugs as a form of false hope that can prolong unnecessary suffering and delay transition into palliative care, and divert attention away from more beneficial therapies.
Health professionals must recognize the distinction between true and false hope, as well as educate patients about potential dangers associated with unproven medical treatments, in order to help them make informed decisions regarding whether to pursue them or not. Unfortunately, many unproven medical treatments aren’t covered by insurance and can become quite costly, placing undue financial strain on patients and their families; this issue must be taken seriously by all stakeholders involved.
They are not safe
Alternative therapies encompass practices like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage and herbal remedies to address various health issues like depression, anxiety and high blood pressure. Although they can provide some relief, sometimes alternative therapies do not work as intended or may lead to side effects when combined with medication and potentially interact negatively – therefore prioritizing consulting your physician when embarking on such practices is strongly advised.
Researchers recruited a large, national panel of participants willing to take part in mail surveys. Each participant responded to a comprehensive questionnaire about their use of alternative therapies, health beliefs and attitudes, views toward conventional medicine as well as political beliefs and worldviews. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analyses were used to predict alternative therapy use.
Results of the study demonstrated that most individuals who engage in alternative therapies do so because these practices align with their personal values and beliefs about life, as well as because these practices resonate more strongly with them personally. They tend to be higher educated; more likely than average to belong to cultural groups marked by commitment to environmentalism; engagement in feminist politics, as well as an interest in spiritual practices like esoteric forms of spirituality or self-actualization psychology.
Chiropractic care was the most commonly utilized alternative therapy treatment for headaches; other popular alternatives are lifestyle diets, megavitamins and dietary supplements; exercise; relaxation techniques; acupuncture as well as chiropractic treatments. Other health problems commonly treated by alternative therapies include sprains and strains; arthritis; digestive issues as well as addiction issues.
Contrary to popular belief, dissatisfaction with traditional medical care was not found to be the primary predictor of using alternative medicines. Only 4.4% of those surveyed reported relying mainly on alternative medications and other predictors such as maintaining control in one’s own hands and preference for personalized care were considered predictors for use of alternative remedies. Furthermore, alternative practitioners tend to operate with less training and oversight than their conventional counterparts.
