Treatments
HOLISTIC CARE
What is holistic care?
Holistic care is a multidisciplinary approach that is individualised for every patient based on their condition and symptoms. It helps treat the whole person, including the mind, body and spirit. Holistic care involves a combination of traditional and complementary medicine, such as chemotherapy and acupuncture, to help treat cancer. Medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been proven to help fight cancer, but some of their side effects may be difficult to live with. A holistic treatment helps ease some of these problems and also helps improve your well-being too.
Some diseases and medical conditions may be helped with holistic care approaches. For example, a breast cancer patient may require surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in order to remove the tumour. However, changes to diet, emotional support, and massage may also help in recovery.
WHAT DOES HOLISTIC CARE ENTAIL?
There are several different types of complementary treatments available for cancer patients. Due to everyone’s journey being different, you may benefit from one or a combination of holistic care approaches. These approaches may include the following:
- Acupuncture is an approach that involves the insertion of tiny needles into your skin at certain points. Acupuncture helps relieve pain, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety and sleeping problems.
- Meditation involves paying attention to your breathing while also letting your thoughts pass through your mind without any judgment. Meditation helps relieve stress and improve the general quality of life.
- Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils from flowers, trees, and herbs. This may help improve emotional and spiritual well-being. Some aromas help reduce anxiety and stress
- Massage therapy helps improve your quality of life by helping you relax more, sleep better and have less anxiety, pain, nausea, and fatigue.
- Nutrition counselling Eating healthy plays a huge role in feeling better and staying strong during your cancer good nutrition helps you keep up your strength, tolerate any side effects of the treatment better, reduce the risk of getting an infection, heal faster, and respond better to cancer treatment.
FAQ
ARE THERE ANY POSSIBLE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HOLISTIC CARE?
Some people confuse holistic care with alternative care, using unproven remedies instead of standard treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Skipping standard treatments is risky. Avoiding, delaying or interrupting mainstream medical treatments may give cancer time to grow, which may make it harder to treat. Certain supplements, such as antioxidants, may stop the cancer treatment from working as it should.
WILL I BE REFERRED TO OTHER SPECIALISTS?
Yes, the oncologist may refer to other specialists for treatment.