According to WebMD, “About 40% of adults in the United States say they use some form of alternative medicine.” Alternative therapies can provide hope and comfort to mesothelioma patients.

In this final part of the blog series, we are going to explore three more side effects that patients may experience from mesothelioma treatment. We’ve also paired these reactions to forms of alternative therapy that can help make them more tolerable.

Alternative Therapies: Helping 3 Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects

  • 1
    Pain
After a mesothelioma patient experiences radiation treatment, their body may ache. Getting a massage from a massage therapist specialized in oncology massage may help.

A skilled oncology massage therapist will adjust and personalize massage techniques for a patient’s session. In many circumstances, a patient will be advised to wait a couple weeks after their last treatment before they get massaged.

Based on research, massage has healing aspects that can help cancer patients both mentally and physically. Many hospitals offer this type of therapy to their patients.

“Massage is absolutely 100% safe for any part of the cancer journey,” states Mount Sinai’s Clinical Massage Therapist and Program Coordinator, Jennifer Ashton.
  • 2
    Vomiting
Some research has revealed that cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy may develop anticipatory vomiting. In fact, about 25% of patients can develop this by their fourth treatment cycle.

Research has revealed that patients “participating in hypnosis had less anticipatory nausea and vomiting and less overall vomiting compared with controls who did not undergo hypnosis,” states the Modern Medicine Network.

Hypnosis is a form of therapy that can help prevent anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Being surrounded by familiar smells, environments, and sounds can trigger this side effect. A hypnosis session helps a patient control their urge to get sick.

Another report by the Modern Medicine Network revealed that “patients using clinical hypnosis showed a reduced need for antiemetic medication.”

During a session with a certified therapist, patients will use their mind to enter a state of relaxation. Next, the therapist will introduce suggestions that may help them overcome side effects that they may find troubling.

  • 3
    Nausea
A patient experiencing chemotherapy may also experience nausea. Receiving this type of treatment for mesothelioma can cause both a physical and an emotional strain on a patient.

“Studies show acupuncture may be helpful in relieving nausea caused by chemotherapy,” claims Mayo Clinic.

In an acupuncture session, a skilled practitioner applies sterile needles to specific points of the body. During acupuncture, anti-inflammatory factors are released throughout the body that can help a patient overcome their treatment side effects.

A patient should always speak with their doctor before incorporating alternative therapies into their treatment plan. Their physician will determine what is appropriate for them.

Image of Nurse Jenna.For more information about alternative therapies for mesothelioma patients, please contact Jenna Campagna. You can reach her at 888-385-2024 extension 102 or by emailing jenna@mesotheliomaguide.com.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this two-part blog series. If you haven’t read part one, make sure you check out Alternative Therapies That Help Manage Mesothelioma Treatment Side Effects – Part 1.

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    Sources & Author

  1. What Exactly Is Alternative Medicine?. WebMD. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/what-is-alternative-medicine#1. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  2. Alternative cancer treatments: 10 options to consider. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  3. Which alternative cancer treatments are worth trying?. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246?pg=2. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  4. Specialty Massage Tips : Massage Techniques for Cancer Patients. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/Vr6LxZXkj58. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  5. 5-time cancer survivor uses massage therapy. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/uzdDWINgJZw. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  6. Acupuncture for Cancer?. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/-t798ohfBQo. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  7. Why Leading Cancer Hospitals Are Turning to Acupuncture. Yin Yang Podcast. Retrieved from: http://yinyangpodcast.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-leading-cancer-hospitals-are.html. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  8. Hypnosis for Pain Relief. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/ZqYpc8FAb64. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  9. Relieve cancer pain with hypnosis. YouTube. Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/y0YKciE_qwU. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  10. Understanding Nausea and Vomiting. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/nausea-and-vomiting/what-is-it.html. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  11. Anticipatory Nausea and Vomiting. ational Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136579/. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
  12. Clinical Hypnosis for the Palliative Care of Cancer Patients. Modern Medicine Network. Retrieved from: http://www.cancernetwork.com/oncology-nursing/clinical-hypnosis-palliative-care-cancer-patients. Accessed: 02/16/2018.
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About the Writer, Nicole Godfrey

Nicole Godfrey is the Senior Content Writer for Mesothelioma Guide. She writes and edits pages to make sure that mesothelioma patients and their families receive the most current and significant information about mesothelioma.