10 Complementary Therapies for Treating Prostate Cancer

A diagnosis of Prostate Cancer, if not detected early enough, is life altering for a man. There are many treatments that are available including chemotherapy, radiation and various types of surgeries. Treatment to rid the body of Prostate Cancer is based on science “medicines that have been researched and proven to work and surgeries that have been tried and tested. However, there are side effects to many of these treatments that can affect a man’s quality of life. Today, new research is being done on using complementary therapies for Prostate Cancer patients. Some of these therapies have been around for a long time, but their use is showing signs of improved quality of life for patients when utilized in tandem with traditional, medical treatment. Some of the more effective complementary therapies include:

Yoga: Yoga has been around for thousands of years and is based on the mind-body-spirit connection. During yoga, a person goes through several controlled poses with a focus on breathing. This focus on breathing promotes relaxation and is said to relieve stress, calm the mind and boost a person’s spirit. For men who experience stress and anxiety while undergoing Prostate Cancer treatment, yoga is an excellent form of therapy.

Acupuncture: This therapy uses tiny needles that are placed into specific spots of the skin on a person’s body. It is used to control pain and relieve a person of many other symptoms. For Prostate Cancer patients, it can be used to control nausea and vomiting.

Herbs: Herbs have become very popular in treating many illnesses. For Prostate Cancer, saw palmetto has been extensively tested and shows promise in treating urinary problems associated with Prostate Cancer and other prostate ailments. It usually takes one to three months of taking saw palmetto before a difference is seen. Other herbal products like African plum tree, pumpkin, stinging nettle and rye grass are said to relieve prostate problems. Although there is no harm in taking these supplements, a man should still consult his doctor before taking them and understand that most of these herbs have not been widely tested enough to draw any real conclusions of their effectiveness.

Vitamins: Vitamin E has the same effect as antioxidants and can be used to lower the body’s risk of developing Prostate Cancer. Unfortunately, the positive effect of Vitamin E has so far only been found in men who smoke.

Biofeedback: This form of relaxation uses monitoring devices to help people better control certain bodily functions that are usually automatically controlled like blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and temperature. It has been proven to be a good way of controlling chronic pain which may affect men with more aggressive Prostate Cancer. It may also help with sleep problems.

Meditation: The practice of meditation is not new. During meditation, the mind sort of separates itself from everyday life. Meditation is best done in a quiet place where there are no outside influences. Repeating a phrase or deep breathing are forms of meditation that help relieve stress and give the body a sense of calm.

Physical Therapy: For men who are suffering from more advanced forms of Prostate Cancer and undergoing more aggressive forms of treatment, physical therapy may help in combating certain side effects of the disease or treatment like fatigue which can cause muscles to go into hypertrophy if they are not moving their bodies enough. Physical therapy includes exercise which can also improve a man’s state of mind and get him to feeling better about himself.

Massage Therapy: Prostate Cancer patients can benefit greatly from massage therapy. It relaxes the body and eases anxiety and pain as well as lowering blood pressure. A man who is experiencing serious side effects from aggressive treatments for his cancer may find that massage therapy can aid in loosening up muscles and joints for easier movement.

Nutrition Therapy: Eating the right foods is important, but even more so for a man fighting Prostate Cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, one-third of all cancer deaths are from malnutrition. Certain treatments like chemotherapy, can wreak havoc on a man’s appetite and he will not get the proper vitamins and nutrients that he needs that are commonly found in foods. Nutrition therapy can help in guiding Prostate Cancer patients on what foods and beverages are appropriate and which should be avoided.

Hypnotherapy: Like other relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy uses hypnosis as a tool for helping people control stress, and ease pain and anxiety. This therapy should be performed by someone who is certified in hypnosis.

A recent study published in The Journal of Urology asked Prostate Cancer patients who were using complementary therapies what they thought. Ninety percent of them believed that it would help them live longer and improve their overall quality of life and sixty percent believed it would help in relieving disease symptoms. Interestingly, forty-seven percent believed these therapies could actually cure their disease.

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