Complementary medicine is used along with other therapies. It often serves to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. Alternative medicine is used alone, without standard treatment.
Biofeedback is a method used to improve health by controlling certain body processes that normally happen involuntarily. It does not appear to affect cancer cells, but it has helped patients reduce severity and occurrence of headaches and chronic pain.
No dietary changes have been found to cure cancer, but good nutrition is an essential part of your treatment plan. Talk with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before trying any dietary supplements.
Art, dance, music—all are examples of mind-body therapy. Although these therapies do not cure cancer, they provide an outlet for emotions and can improve mental and physical well-being.
Distraction does not cure cancer, but it can help push a person’s mind away from unpleasant thoughts, procedures, and pain.
Yoga means "union"—a union of the mind, body, and spirit—and uses slow movement, precise posture, meditation, and breathing exercises to reach a state of relaxation.
Exercise offers benefits for many people with cancer. Read on to learn how physical activity may help you, what safety steps to take, exercise tips for cancer survivors, and more.