For many people fighting mesothelioma, the path of conventional treatment can be difficult – full of physical and emotional stress.
For some, traditional cancer treatments may no longer be an option due to advanced age, metastatic disease, side effects or treatment failures.
When things seem hopeless, patients and families may search for a new approach. Naturopathic care may be an option for mesothelioma patients – combining natural therapies with conventional medical treatments to treat the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Focusing on symptom management, promoting comfort and maintaining quality of life.
What Is Naturopathic Care?
Naturopathic care is the practice of using natural therapies in combination with traditional medical treatments to find and treat the root cause of a problem.
Naturopathic doctors look at how the body is responding to an illness, addressing the stress and immune responses by using nutrition and herbal supplements to decrease inflammation. This creates a foundation of healing and improving overall wellness.
Naturopathic Practitioners
Naturopathic doctors are licensed health care providers who offer patient-centered, evidence-based care. When dealing with cancer care, the holistic therapies they implement can be used independently or as a complement to traditional cancer treatments. While naturopathic care cannot promise a cure, it can help to:
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Ease fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath
- Improve appetite and digestion
- Help to cope with anxiety, grief and depression
- Preserve dignity and empower patients with care choices
Naturopathic practitioners:
- Respect and understand the limitations of what they can offer
- Collaborate with medical and palliative care teams
- Provide individualized treatment plans that are based on evidence and experience
- Focus on enhancing overall well-being and quality of life
What Is Provided During Naturopathic Care?
- Herbal and nutritional supplements tailored to the patient’s specific needs
- Therapies that focus on body and mind; such as meditation, guided imagery and breathing techniques
- Dietary guidance to improve nutrition, reduce inflammation and promote comfort
- Gentle body and energy therapies; like acupuncture, warm stone therapy and massage
Why to Turn to Naturopathic Care
Facing mesothelioma, especially when conventional treatments are limited or no longer an option, can be extremely overwhelming. However, patients still have care choices.
Naturopathic care does not replace the important work of hospice or palliative care, but it can provide supportive options that compliment their care. It focuses on more than just treating a disease — it supports the whole person by enhancing comfort, quality of life, and emotional and spiritual well-being.
Sources & Author
Sources & Author
