Guest Blog
Holistic Health And Energy Therapy: Complementary Cancer Care
Holistic health is a form of self-care. Defined as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), holistic health focuses on how the various body elements — physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional — work together to promote and maintain wellness.
Holistic Cancer Care
Some health care professionals believe the holistic approach can help cancer patients manage their pain, as well as the side effects of cancer treatment. They believe holistic health is good complementary practice when combined with traditional medicine.
Anyone battling cancer, from common basal cell carcinoma to rare mesothelioma, can benefit from holistic cancer care. Holistic care promotes a healthy lifestyle, nutritious diet, exercise, and stress management. The holistic approach considers the individual physical, spiritual, and psychological factors involved with each cancer patient.
No scientific evidence exists to support the claim that holistic health can cure cancer, or even treat the disease on its own. But according to the National Cancer Institute, research is underway to determine the effectiveness of cancer-related CAM therapies.
For the best possible outcome, holistic medicine also integrates complementary practices with traditional medicine. Two complementary therapies that are increasingly being used in cancer care are Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Healing Touch.
Emotional Freedom Technique
Emotional Freedom Technique is a therapeutic tool that is similar to the ancient practice of acupuncture, without the needles. Health care professionals may recommend EFT to optimize a cancer patient’s emotional health. Emotional health is often overlooked during cancer treatment, but it is essential for physical healing.
EFT therapy is based on the same energy meridians used in acupuncture. Simple fingertip tapping is used to help encourage energy flow on certain meridians, while the patient thinks about a specific problem (such as pain) and repeats affirmations.
EFT therapy has many benefits for cancer patients. It helps them cope with the fears and worries of cancer, while managing nausea, fatigue, and other side effects of aggressive cancer treatment. Whether patients are facing curable skin cancer or mesothelioma life expectancy, EFT can help them cope with their illness, accept death, and reach inner calm and peace.
Healing Touch
Healing Touch International, defines Healing Touch as a “relaxing, nurturing energy therapy.” Practitioners employ gentle touch to help restore balance to a patient’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Healing Touch benefits cancer patients by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression; relieving pain; strengthening the body’s immune system; deepening the spiritual connection; and providing a sense of wellbeing. Healing Touch works wonderfully as a complementary therapy, supporting traditional medical treatment and other holistic practices.
Melanie Bowen is an advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. After graduating with a bachelors degree in English with a specialty in Psychology and Medical Research, you will often find her highlighting the great benefits of different nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those with illnesses in her efforts to spread awareness.
Thanks to Melanie for a interesting article. If you would like to contribute a guest blog, please get in touch. Louise