The term "holistic" means "whole body." As such, holistic medicine is a type of medicine that really focuses on treating the body and person as a whole, rather than just treating the symptoms. If you've recently been diagnosed with cancer, it is wise to adhere to whatever medical treatments your cancer treatment team recommends. However, as these treatments tend to focus on the cancer and its symptoms, you may also want to integrate some holistic medical practices into your treatment plan. For best results, work with a holistic medical practitioner to ensure you get the treatments most suited to your needs.
Here are two core types of treatments they may recommend for you as a cancer patient.
Nutritional Therapy
Even with conventional cancer therapy, your body will be fighting the cancer on its own. It will also need strength to manage the side effects and intended effects of the medications you are being given. Without the right nutrition, this will be a lot harder on your body. A holistic doctor can develop a diet for you that supplies all of the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients you need to stay more energetic and vibrant during the cancer treatment. And while there are no guarantees, having the right nutrition may help you fight the cancer off faster or more effectively. Often, a nutrition plan will include a specialized diet, plus supplements to supply additional nutrients that you may struggle to get through food alone.
Yoga or Meditation
Stress plays a huge role in the development of many different diseases. While it probably did not cause your cancer directly, stress can make it harder to heal from cancer. Reducing your stress levels is a good way to help your body heal. Yoga and meditation can be great ways to lower your stress levels so your body can focus on enduring and healing.
Your holistic medical provider may point you toward certain yoga classes or certain types of meditation. They may also give you guidelines, such as "meditate for 30 minutes a day." However, most are not yoga practitioners or meditation guides themselves, so you will have to seek out some other resources to help you with the intricacies of this practice.
Being diagnosed with cancer is scary. The good news is that there are more treatments available now than ever before, both in the form of western medicine and in more holistic approaches.
To learn more about holistic cancer treatment options, reach out to a practitioner in your area.
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