It’s Complementary Archives

Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Art Therapy

Winter 2006

Recent research from Northwestern Memorial Hospital found that art therapy can reduce a broad spectrum of symptoms related to pain and anxiety in cancer patients.

Communicating with Your Physician about Alternative Medicine

Summer 2008

In this “It’s Complementary”, we examine the importance of discussing alternative medicine methods with your doctor.

Learn More about Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Spring 2007

Information about how you can supplement your cancer treatment.

Medical Field Recognizes and Places Value in Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Winter 2008

Cancer patients utilize many types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help deal with their disease. That usage is now formally recognized by three federal agencies with the appointment of the first recipient of a new fellowship in medical oncology and CAM.

Naturopathic Medicine

Fall 2007

Naturopathic medicine, or Naturopathy, is a distinct healthcare profession that combines natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in health and medicine. It uses a wide range of approaches such as nutrition, herbs, manipulation of the body, exercise, stress reduction and acupuncture. A cancer patient might consider using naturopathic medicine as a complementary therapy in conjunction with his or her regular conventional treatments, primarily for symptom relief.

Quick Fix Frauds

Spring/Summer 2009

Although medicines and devices to treat people with cancer must have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are marketed, there are still many individuals and companies who hawk bogus cancer treatments. And the internet makes it easier for them than ever before. Because fraudulent information can travel around the web in an instant, the FDA is taking increased action to warn consumers about online cancer fraud.

Diet

Dietary Supplements against Bladder Cancer

Winter 2009

New reports are indicating that a high consumption of foods like yogurt and foods that contain Selenium, such as nuts, may have preventative properties.

Probiotics: Friendly Bacteria

Fall 2006

Since the mid-1990s Americans have tripled their spending on probiotic supplements. In fact, probiotics is being researched more aggressively today than ever before as a complementary technique relative to a variety of illnesses. According to The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), scientific understanding or probiotics and their potential for preventing and treating health conditions is at an early stage but moving ahead.

You Are What You Eat

Winter 2010

We are learning now that what you eat—and what you don’t eat—can have a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. Changes in your diet, along with other lifestyle modifications, might help you minimize your risk of disease or possibly slow or stop cancer from developing

Exercise

Tai Chi

Summer 2006

According to the American Cancer Society, tai chi is recognized as an exercise that provides the same cardiovascular benefits as moderate exercise, such as lowered heart rate and blood pressure.

Relaxation

Cancer and Massage

Fall 2008

In a recent article in Prevention magazine, Dr. Andrew Weil reported that there is a lack of credible evidence to suggest that massage may spread cancer cells around the body, saying that the notion was simply untrue. In fact, says Dr. Weil, there is proof that massage can be helpful in a variety of ways for people who have cancer.

Cancer, Stress and Music

Fall 2009

Anyone who has dealt with cancer, or any other major disease, knows how stressful the experience can be. In this “It’s Complementary”, we look at the relationship music has with stress reduction and healing.

Knowing Yourself and Getting Rid of Stress

Spring 2008

Want to know exactly how much stress you have in your life right now? The Health Encyclopedia at AOL offers an interactive tool to help you.

Meditation

Spring 2006

Meditation is a mind-body practice in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that uses concentration or reflection to relax the body and calm the mind. It has been defined as the intentional self-regulation of attention, a mental focus on a particular aspect of one’s inner or outer experience. Many people, including cancer survivors, use meditation for health purposes to increase physical relaxation, mental calmness and psychological balance; to cope with one or more diseases and conditions or for overall wellness.

Reiki

Summer 2007

There have been a number of modalities used over the years to promote or maintain the balance of energy fields in the body. One of these modalities, Reiki, is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that is also said to promote healing.

Yoga, Coping, Healing and Cancer

Winter 2007

While there has been no specific link to the benefits of yoga relative to bladder cancer, many complementary medicine enthusiasts are convinced that, due to the mental and physical aspects of yoga, it may be particularly useful for people battling many types of cancer, either early in the diagnosis and treatment process or in long-term survival.