Complementary therapies

Some people with breast cancer use complementary therapies to help with some of the side effects of their cancer treatment and to increase their overall sense of wellbeing. For example, some people find massage can help them relax, or that acupuncture helps with nausea.

Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional medical treatments and for this reason they differ from alternative therapies, which are used instead of conventional medical treatment.

Types of complementary therapies include:

• acupuncture
• aromatherapy
• healing and reiki
• herbal medicine
• homeopathy
• hypnotherapy
• massage and shiatsu
• reflexology
• yoga, tai chi and chi gung
• relaxation, visualisation and meditation.

When choosing a complementary therapy you should consider which will give you the greatest overall benefit as well as what you are most comfortable with. Once you have chosen a therapy you will need to talk to your complementary practitioner about your breast cancer experience and where you are in terms of current and past treatments.

Complementary therapies are sometimes offered free or are subsidised by hospitals, hospices, cancer support centres and charities. If there are no suitable free or low-cost therapies available in your area, you may consider paying privately. The cost can vary greatly depending on the therapist and type of therapy you choose.

It can be difficult to judge how effective complementary therapies are because there is much less reliable research about them compared to conventional treatments. Your doctors may advise you to avoid some therapies especially if they could interact with your treatment.

Our Complementary therapies booklet gives advice on finding a registered therapist, the types of complementary therapies and their use and safety. You can also call our freephone Helpline to talk through your options and concerns.

Acupuncture

Traditional acupuncturists work with an energy called chi, which they believe flows around the body in channels known as meridians, promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. Acupuncturists work with thin needles which they insert into the skin at specific points on these meridians to help the energy flow become more balanced. Some people find it relieves pain or inflammation and improves their mood.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is based on the principle of stimulating the sense of smell to aid healing. Essential oils are used in several ways, for example in a massage, adding them to a bath, evaporating them using an oil burner or blending them with lotions to be used on the skin. Some people find aromatherapy helps with emotions such as fear and anxiety.

Healing and Reiki

Reiki is a form of healing. The belief is that energy is channelled from a therapist to the client, helping to restore balance and aid recovery. Some people find healing helps them to relax and encourages positive thoughts to improve wellbeing.

Herbal medicine

Plant remedies are used in herbal medicine to help with a range of health conditions. Practitioners of herbal medicine view a person as a whole, looking at their medical history, lifestyle and symptoms before deciding what remedies to use. Herbal medicines are often given in tea, tincture or capsule form.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy aims to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Tiny amounts of a substance are given to try to produce similar symptoms to the ailment. Some people find homeopathy helps with anxiety and depression.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis brings you into a deep and natural state of relaxation to help the body achieve healing. Some people find hypnotherapy helps with stress, anxiety or depression.

Massage and shiatsu

There are many types of massage from around the world including Indian Ayurvedic massage, Japanese shiatsu massage, Hawaiian hot stone massage and Chinese Tui Na massage. The purpose of massage is to release toxins and tension from the body. Some people find it helps to treat fatigue, back and bowel problems.

Reflexology

Reflexology is thought to stimulate the nerve endings in the feet and sometimes the hands and it is based on the principle that each area corresponds to a different part of the body. Pressure is applied to stimulate energy flow and encourage the body to heal itself. Some people find reflexology is relaxing, comforting and calming.

Relaxation, visualisation and meditation

Used separately or together, these techniques aim to reduce stress and tension to relax the body and mind. Some people find regular use can promote wellbeing and ease stressful situations.

Yoga, tai chi and chi gung

All these therapies involve gentle exercises, deep breathing and elements of meditation to help create a calm and balanced outlook on life. Some people find they are effective in lowering stress.