By Susie Flick, Office Manager at the Hult Center for Healthy Living
June 5, 2016 is National Cancer Survivors Day. The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute defines a cancer survivor as any individual who has been diagnosed with cancer and remains alive and well. Thanks to a number of options in both conventional and holistic cancer treatment, people are living longer lives after a cancer diagnosis.
It has been proven that in addition to conventional treatment for cancer, complementary medicine is helpful in a person’s cancer journey. Holistic ways of treating the whole person take into account mental and social factors rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease. Complementary methods that someone might embrace could be massage, reflexology, healing touch, yoga, taiji, meditation, and other physical activity. These methods could help with stress and anxiety as well as lift someone’s mood and give a feeling of well-being.
A massage therapist with oncology massage training is able to help ease chemotherapy-related nausea, lessen cancer fatigue, improve sleep, control pain, and ease lymphedema symptoms. Reflexology stimulates specific points on the feet, which can improve the functioning of corresponding organs, glands, and other parts of the body. Healing touch involves both touch and non-touch techniques, such as centering, unruffling, full body connection, and mind clearing. In all of the above, the individual would lay on a massage table for 30–60 minutes and listen to relaxing music during the massage, reflexology, or healing touch session. These three methods do not replace pain medications but have been found to provide relief for people during and after treatment. People with cancer may try one or all as a way to relax and cope with stress and anxiety.
Yoga, taiji, meditation, and other physical activity such as light aerobics and restorative exercise benefit people in many ways. The American Cancer Society guidelines for cancer prevention recommend that an adult get at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week, preferably spread throughout the week. Today, many cancer care teams are urging their patients to be as physically active as possible during treatment. Too much rest can lead to loss of body function, muscle weakness, and reduced range of motion.
Yoga, in a restorative class setting, is beneficial to one’s mind and body. Taiji can be described as a “moving meditation” and is centered around breathing exercises with the combination of motion and stillness. Meditation is a practice of finding a place to sit quietly and be present in the moment without intruding thoughts. Aerobics and other restorative exercise can improve how well you function physically and your quality of life.
All restorative and therapeutic activities help improve physical and mental abilities. Regular participation in any of these may help a person in the following ways:
- Relief with symptoms from cancer treatment
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Control of pain related to cancer
- Improved balance and stronger muscles
- Lessened cancer fatigue
- Improved sleep
- Improve your quality of life and self-esteem
Some of these complementary methods are meant to be done individually; others are beneficial when practiced with a group of people dealing with similar challenges in their cancer journey. Each person’s participation should be based on what’s safe and what works best for them. It should be something you like doing or choose to explore to see if it fits you.
All of these classes and therapeutic sessions are offered at the Hult Center for Healthy Living as a part of the center’s cancer programs for current cancer patients, survivors, and their families. The Hult Center is located at 5215 N. Knoxville Avenue in Peoria. Call us at 309-692-6650, or visit us online at www.hulthealthy.org.