| Complementary Therapies |
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Complementary Therapy is a collective term used to describe many different treatments that usually work with the person as a whole, not just the part of the body with the cancer. This is called a holistic approach. People with cancer often seek Complementary Therapies to gain control of their life. There are many types of Complementary Therapies. Some practitioners may indeed provide a range of treatment methods. This Directory is not an exclusive list, but provides the most common treatment types. It is important to tell your treating doctor or Specialist Cancer Nurse if you decide to have any form of Complementary Therapy, so that you can be sure that any treatment will not be harmful when combined with your traditional medical treatment. It is equally important to inform the Complementary Therapist that you have cancer and its associated treatment. When choosing a Complementary Therapy, it is important to select the one that feels right for you. It is also important to choose a registered practitioner. For each Complementary Therapy mentioned in this section, we give details of an organisation that can help you to find a qualified and registered therapist. The Cancer Council Victoria (contact 13 11 20) produces a factsheet which can also be downloaded from their website: Established treatments, treatments being trialled and alternative (unproven) treatments for cancer In our Directory, Complimentary Therapies is grouped into the following sub-categories:Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the body. The points are selected to correspond with the symptoms of the illness. Acupuncture techniques aim to promote self healing and symptom management, including pain relief. Herbal Medicine uses various remedies derived from plants and plant extracts to treat disorders and maintain health. Another term for this type of treatment is phytotherapy or botanical medicine. Herbal Medicine practitioners are often also Naturopaths who offer a range of complementary medicine options. Chinese Herbal Medicine is part of a large healing system known as Chinese Traditional Medicine, which embraces other treatment methods such as acupuncture and massage. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes to encourage the body to heal itself. Homeopathic treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies. According to Homeopaths, these remedies produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people as if they were given in larger doses. Naturopathy is a collective term used to describe a diverse range of complementary medicine practitioners. Naturopaths provide holistic or whole person healthcare (mind, body and soul) using several traditional systems of medicine. They promote the natural healing powers of the body, aiming to achieve optimal conditions that allow the body to cure itself. Many Naturopaths use a range of treatment methods including diet and nutrition, massage, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and vitamin and mineral therapy. Some Naturopaths may also have qualifications in other modalities such as acupuncture or ayurveda medicine. When selecting a Naturopath, consider the treatment modalities and treatment options that they offer, whilst also ensuring that they have registration with a reputable national association. There are a number of other complementary therapies which we have grouped in this sub-category eg aromatherapy, ayurvedic medicine, hypnotherapy, reiki and kinesiology. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 11 August 2008 09:41 ) |
