According to the NHS complementary therapies, also referred to as complementary and alternative medicine, CAM, are interventions against ailments that do not fall under mainstream medicine. However, NHS purports that there is a difference between ‘complementary’ and ‘alternative’ therapies, although the terms are always used together. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NCCIH, gives a distinction between the two terms. A therapy is referred to as complementary when it is used alongside conventional medicine. Alternative therapy replaces conventional treatment, becoming the main intervention for a patient.
This paper will focus on complementary therapies and how they impact the health and wellbeing of individuals. Some of the common complementary therapies include herbalism, acupuncture, homeopathy, and osteopathy, among others. Although there are many disparities about the effectiveness of complementary treatments, research continues to build evidence on the importance of such treatments in managing various health conditions. This paper will discuss complementary therapies for cancer in order to better understand the role of these therapies in maintaining health and wellbeing. This exercise will also facilitate a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of complementary therapies, in addition to the effectiveness of the same.
John is a 58 year old Caucasian male who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2012. He had been previously diagnosed with the h. pylori infection, which had caused an ulcer in his stomach. He was receiving treatment for the ulcer, which involved routine biopsy checkups. It is during one of these routine checkups that a cancerous area showed up on his results. His diet mostly contains seafood and pickled foods, which NHS posits heightens a person’s risk to cancer. Although the exact cause of his cancer couldn’t be pinpointed, some of the factors that may have facilitated it include the H. pylori infection, family history, and lifestyle.
At the time of the diagnosis, the oncologist realized that the cancer wasn’t at an advanced stage, and recommended surgery instead of chemotherapy. John underwent gastrectomy, which is a surgery to remove the stomach. After the surgery, the physician recommended routine checkups to ensure that the cancer was completely gone. The doctor also warned of the risk of return cancerous attacks in the lymph nodes, which necessitated routine checkups. The diagnosis and the subsequent treatment affected John’s life negatively, as he initially had trouble swallowing food. He therefore joined a cancer support group for emotional support.
John religiously attended the support group meetings twice a week three weeks after he was discharged from the hospital. During the support group meetings, the members share about their recovery journeys from cancer. It is during one of these meetings that John heard about complementary therapies. One of the members told the rest of the group about how she was introduced to complementary therapies by a friend, and how these therapies have helped her cope with her medications and the stress that comes with cancer diagnosis. John told his wife about complementary therapies, and even talked to the physician on his next visit to the hospital.
John was still under medication for the surgery, and the physician advised that he can engage complementary therapies to aid with the symptoms, as well as to improve the patient’s quality of life. The physician, however, warned John against replacing the medications with alternative therapies, as the replacement could bear profound negative impacts on his health. John was referred to a therapist who recommended acupuncture and dietary and food supplements to complement his cancer treatment. He started the complementary therapies in August 2013, and since then, he attests that he has experienced significant positive outcomes.
Complementary Medicine
In the recent past, the use of complementary therapies to improve health and wellbeing has gained popularity in the conventional healthcare industry. Recent surveys indicate that in Australia alone, approximately 65% of all patients use complementary therapies, in addition to conventional medicine (National Cancer Institute). Since these therapies are not part of the standard medical care, their increasing popularity has prompted research to substantiate the claims about their effectiveness in improving the wellbeing and maintaining the health of patients. The lack of evidence of effectiveness and safety of complementary medicine is largely due to the fact that the origin is quite traditional, and with little documentation to provide evidence.
The popularity in the use of complementary therapies can also be credited to the fact that complementary therapies focus on treating the whole person, rather than just the mind and body of a patient (Cancer Research UK). Moreover, the basis of complementary medicine has been proven not to be far from that of conventional medicine, as they are both based on the physiology and anatomy of modern medicine. Despite the growing regard in use of complementary therapies to maintain health and wellbeing, there are associated disadvantages, which every patient should consider before commencing use of the therapies.
Complementary therapies can also interact with drugs being used by the patients, which is why it is important to let the care providers and complementary therapists about all the types of medications being taken. John was referred to a complementary therapist who recommended acupuncture and dietary and food supplements after reviewing the medication that John was taking. John also engaged the physician before commencement and he gave a go ahead after reviewing the therapies.
Comparison of the Role of the two Complementary Therapies in Maintaining Health and Wellbeing
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of complementary intervention that has its origin from the Chinese culture. The practice involves insertion of fine needles into certain points of the body, which produces a therapeutic and preventive effect. NHS posits that it is considered a complementary therapy, although the practice is common in GP offices and pain management offices. The practice is founded on the belief that it can cause stimulation of nerves in the skin and muscle tissues. The stimulation consequently causes pain relief, as the body produces pain relieving substances such as endorphins.
The NHS also posits that acupuncture is based on the belief that energy- referred to as Qi – flows through body channels referred to as meridians. Complementary therapists believe that an obstruction to the free flow of this energy throughout the body causes illness. The practice of acupuncture is believed to restore the free flow of energy through the body, hence promoting the health and wellbeing of the affected patients. A general acupuncture procedure involves the assessment of the general health of the patient, and a review of the medical history.
The fine needles are then inserted into the right points of the body, and the procedure lasts for approximately 40 minutes. The acupuncturist decides how many sessions the patient should receive. In some cases, the inserted needles may be activated by electric current if the acupuncturist finds it necessary (NHS). Patients are advised to report any form of pain that they experience during the process, as if shouldn’t be a painful procedure. Acupuncture is commonly used in people suffering from conditions that produce pain as a symptom. Currently, there is no enough scientific evidence to support the use of acupuncture, although NICE provides limited recommendations on when the procedure should be considered in practice.
The NICE guidelines propose consideration for the procedure when patients are suffering from chronic lower back pain, chronic headaches emanating from tension, and migraines. NHS observes that acupuncture has been associated with positive outcomes in post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, and neck pain. NHS recommends that people who seek acupuncturist services should ensure that they do so from regulated healthcare professionals.
Diet and Food Supplements
American Cancer Society observes that nutritional therapies cannot cure cancer, but are effective strategies in improving overall health and in reducing the effects of conventional cancer treatments. Adopting a healthy diet also gives a cancer patient the opportunity to become active in own health (Macmillan Cancer Support). Nutritional therapists develop customized and patient-centered diets that work best for the patient. Diet works in various ways including detoxification and improvement of general health by providing important nutrients.
Dietary and nutritional supplements are particularly appropriate for people recovering from cancer, especially because the effects of cancer affect the appetite of the patients. Most patients report changed taste after cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. For this reason, the patients find it difficult to maintain healthy appetites. Dietary and nutritional supplements help the patients overcome the eating challenges, in addition to providing them with essential nutrients that improve their overall health (Macmillan Cancer Support). However, it is imperative that patients consult the physicians before engaging in some nutritional therapies because some food nutrients may react with the pharmacological action of the medications – also known as food-drug interaction (American Cancer Society).
Scientific evidence to support the essence of nutritional and dietary supplements in treating cancer is still lacking, which is why this strategy should not be considered as an alternative to cancer treatment. While some nutrients are recommended for prevention of development of cancerous tumors, they are not recommended when a patient is under treatment, as they may inhibit the action of the drugs. For example, antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E and A are known to prevent cell damage. Since cancer sometimes emanates from damaged cells that grow abnormally, antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer by preventing damage to cells. When the cancer has already developed, treatment aims at destroying the cancerous cells. Therefore, using antioxidants may deter the destruction of the cancerous cells (American Cancer Society).
Advantages of using Complementary Therapies in Maintaining Health and Wellbeing
Complementary therapies are advantageous to the patients in a variety of ways. Relief from symptoms is one of the advantages of complementary therapies. Cancer of the stomach is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pains in the stomach. These symptoms can be relieved through complementary therapies such as acupuncture and dietary and nutritional therapies. Relief from symptoms consequently promotes health and wellbeing of the patients, improving the quality of life.
Complementary therapies are also engaging for the patients, which makes the patients feel in control of their own health (American Cancer Society). Empowering the patients to engage in their own treatment is essential in improving the overall quality of life for the patients. Therefore, in addition to reducing the side effects, complementary therapies also improve the quality of life of patients by relieving stress and anxiety. Complementary therapies such as dietary and nutritional therapy boost the immunity of patients, especially those that have compromised immunities. The improved immunity helps fight other opportunistic ailments that may further complicate the wellbeing of the patient.
Disadvantages of Complementary Therapies
If followed carefully, most complementary therapies do not have side effects or disadvantages. NHS observes that acupuncture may sometimes have mild symptoms such as dizziness and drowsiness during the procedure. However, these are short-lived and very mild, hence tolerable to the patient. Dietary and nutritional therapists also have their own downside if not consumed carefully. There are daily recommended nutrients for patients, and even healthy persons.
Overconsumption of nutrients actually doesn’t fasten the healing process, but may become a problem on its own, causing outcomes such as allergies. It is important, therefore, that patients consume nutrients and diets as prescribed by nutritionists. John says he experienced dizziness during his first acupuncture procedure, but the issue resolved itself shortly after. Since then he hasn’t experienced any issue with the complementary therapies.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Complementary Therapies in Maintaining Health and Wellbeing
Acupuncture and nutritional and dietary therapies are well known complementary therapies in the promotion and maintenance of health and wellbeing among patients suffering from various health conditions. Cancer of the stomach, although not very common, affects a significant number of people. Its treatment, like that of other types of cancer, leaves the patient emotionally and physically drowned. Patients require holistic care to improve the quality of their lives. John reports that since he started the acupuncture procedures, he is less stress and he no longer has anxiety.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, he was stressed and anxious because he thought the diagnosis was a death sentence. It is imperative to consider that the improvement in quality of life due to reduced symptoms could be as a result of other interacting factors, including the drugs that John is taking. Acupuncture not only helps in relief of pain, as according to John, he gets a chance to interact with the acupuncturist, who is also an excellent listener. John also comments that the acupuncture helps him get his mind off the cancer, which has greatly improved his life.
The dietary and nutritional therapy has also had significant benefits in John’s life. Not only does he find it easier to enjoy most foods, but it has also boosted his immunity, which consequently protects him from opportunistic ailments. He reports fewer symptoms, in addition to having a positive outlook towards his own life. He now engages in long-term decisions as he no longer views the disease as a death sentence. John also reports that he is in control of his life and health, as he gets to make a decision about the foods to consume. Additionally, John has helped other people diagnosed with same illness, which makes him feel helpful, as he considers the help a way of giving back to the society.
Works Cited
Acupuncture. NHS, 2015. Web. 8 June 2016
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Cancer Institute, 2016. Web. 8 June 2015
Complementary and Alternative Methods and Cancer. American Cancer Society, 2016. Web.
8 June 2016.
Diet and Food Supplements. Macmillan Cancer Support, 2016. Web. 8 June 2015
Stomach Cancer. NHS, 2014. Web. 8 June 2016
Why People use Complementary or Alternative Therapies. Cancer Research UK, 2016. Web.
8 June 2016
