Introduction
Today we discuss Integrative Medicine for Cancer Patients. It is an illness that involves a group of diseases which has affected many people in the world. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are considered the main cancer therapies but most patients are using integrative medicine to boost the chances of their healing as well as have a good quality of life while undergoing treatment.
This integrative approach uses both conventional and complementary and alternative medicine to ensure cares of patients with cancer from physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. In this article, the author seeks to provide an overview of Integrative Medicine for cancer patients; emphasizing on informational benefits, practical techniques and success stories.
Understanding Integrative Medicine
Integrative medicine is an interdisciplinary method of treating the patient that involves the attention to mind and body instead of only the disease or the set of symptoms. It acknowledges the holistic method of treating because emotions and mental health plays an essential role in the overall wellbeing of the patient.
It encompasses standard and/or protocol-oriented medical therapies in harmony with other treatment approaches that involve focusing not only on a patient’s physical health but also the individual’s psychological and emotional stability.
Benefits of Integrative Medicine for Cancer Patients
Increase in Quality of Life: Integrative medicine can help in improving the quality of life and manage symptoms and side effects that come with cancer treatments. Besides, the needs of the patients are met with reviews of threatening complications such as pain, fatigue, and nausea being minimized or eradicated, thus enhancing the quality of their lives.
Comfort: It mentally affects one, especially when one has to bear with the pains all through pulling through the_Ph in typical manner and scenarios. There is the provision of mental and psychological support by prescribing counselling, engaging the patient in mindfulness, and offering support groups in handling depression.
Enhanced Immune Response: Another form of integrated therapy is nutrition consultation and acupuncture that may enhance the overall animal’s immunity to diseases including cancer and enhanced ability to counter the damaging effects of treatment.
Patient-centered Approach: by using personal characteristics of patients Integrate medicine focuses more on patients and therefore being able to deliver clients’ centered care.
Interactivism: Another benefit of integrative medicine is when patients participate in treatment it gives them vital aspect of having the ability to govern themselves thus empowering them.
Methods of Integrative Medicine
Comprehensive management of cancer can be achieved by the use of integrative medicine that basically involves;
Nutritional Therapy
Proper nutrition is very crucial in assisting the body during the time the person is undergoing cancer treatment. Nutritional therapy major on dietary modification that ensures that customer takes appropriate portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grain, lean proteins and healthy fats.
An RD can spend time with the patient to find new ways of preparing meals so as to improve their health status and energy levels.
Mind-Body Practices
These practices include meditation, yoga, and tai chi among others that assist in minimizing stress levels in one’s body. These can be helpful in the enhancement of mental health, emotional health as well as in the reduction of symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Acupuncture
This type of treatment involves piercing the patients skin with thin needles at particular sites to energize the body’s natural magnetic fields for curing purposes. This therapy prescribed to cancer patients helps in relief of pain, reduction of nausea and other discomfort resulting from treatment.
Massage Therapy
This type of techniques can help in the management of pain and muscle tension as opposed to easing stress. The best thing is that it can reduce the distress related to it and its therapies, enhancing the quality of life.
Herbal Medicine
Supplements and remedies derived from natural sources could assist in improving he recovery of the various bodily systems of the human body. However, it is wise that patients should seek advice from a practitioner before engaging in the use of herbs since some have side effects when used together with the conventional cancer therapies.
Support Groups and Counseling
Living with others through such difficulties can be daunting, but the opportunity to share the information or meet similar people encourages one. Psychotherapy and individual counseling can also assist the patients to manage their emotions and insecurities in the journey of this disease.
Success Stories of Integrative Medicine for Cancer Patients
It has been effective to several patients who greatly received improvements in quality of life during the treatments. Below are Just to mention but a few inspirational stories:
Story 1: Sarah’s Journey
Sarah is a 45 year woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer and during her chemotherapy, she complained of fatigue and anxiety. Looking for an answer she decided to turn to integrative medicine. Thus, with the assistance of a nutritionist, she changed to whole-foods diet which has enough antioxidants.
Also, she attended a session of yoga exercises every week with the help of which she was able to support her emotional state and be in a good mood. Hence, she attributes the integrative approaches to have assisted her gain strength and confidence throughout the treatment.
Story 2: Tom’s Experience
Tom was 60years of age suffering from prostate cancer and the side effect of the treatment was severe pain and discomfort. He considered acupuncture as one of the methods of treatment for improvement.
Some weeks later, Tom attends several sessions and he is happy to report that his pain level lowers and his health is stepping up.
He also found a new kind of support group because he needed someone to share with, someone with whom he could offer and take support about the situation he was given.
Story 3: Lisa’s Transformation
The simulated case involves a woman named Lisa who is 38 years old, and she has two children, and she has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This was really shocking and overwhelming for her and she had no choice but to find integrative medicine to support her.
She thus underwent her conventional chemotherapy and she also took to meditation and a cooking class on foods that can fight cancer. These practices also made her healthy and also make her feel that she is part of the community hence her quality of life was improving.
Integrative Medicine: A Collaborative Approach
Concerning the use of IM, it is rather essential to emphasize that integrative medicine cannot work as a substitute for conventional cancer treatments. Patients’ oncology management makes it necessary for the patient to consult with the oncologist as well as the other health care workers to personally devise the most convenient care plan.
Conclusion
Complementary medicine for cancer patientstarget at giving an aggressive centered, specialized and superior supportive care in associated with the all around symptoms of the people with cancer and their well-being during the period of the treatment.
By actively integrating conventional western medical therapies with nutrition, mind body techniques, and psychological support, patients are able to take charge of the healing process.In these few cases where people testify to the efficacy of the technique, more programs are yet to be implemented under integrative medicine.
For those who are going through or know somebody that is diagnosed with cancer, look into integrative medicine for support in overcoming the disease. It’s always advisable to seek advice of your health care practitioners to get the best approach that will be suited for your case.