Cancer Treatment Side Effects & Supportive and Palliative Care
Pain
Pain during cancer may be a result of the growth of a tumor or in some cases, the result of chemotherapy, radiation or surgery treatment side effects. Cancer pain is usually treated with opiates, pain drugs that have powerful pain-killing properties.
Acupuncture for cancer pain
For some people, acupuncture is an effective substitute for prescription pain medication. For some people opiates provide sufficient pain management without too many side effects. However, in some cases, opiates may not be well tolerated at high doses that some people need to achieve appropriate pain management. In these cases, acupuncture may help control pain when used along with opiates.
Massage for cancer pain
Massage provided by licensed massage therapists has been shown to help manage pain in people with cancer. Massage helps relax muscle tension and alleviates anxiety, and is a wonderful modality to try along with your conventional cancer treatment. Always choose a massage therapist who is experienced in providing massage to people with cancer and consult with your physician about necessary precautions he/she may recommend regarding your particular situation.
Meditation for cancer pain
Meditation, particularly mindfulness-based meditation, has been shown in numerous studies to help people with cancer to manage pain when used in addition to conventional pain treatment.
Guided Imagery, Visualization and Hypnosis for cancer pain
Guided imagery, visualization and hypnosis have been shown in numerous studies to help people with cancer manage pain when used along with conventional pain management.