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Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

Alternative treatments for mesothelioma are treatment options outside the realm of traditional therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Mesothelioma patients turn to alternative treatments for a number of reasons. Some individuals prefer not to deal with the unpleasant side effects of chemo or radiation so they seek other options that will produce less severe results. Others use alternative treatments in tandem with traditional treatments in order to help ease those same side effects.

Malignant mesothelioma patients report varying results with alternative treatments. While none will offer a cure for the disease, most cancer patients in general note that these treatments do indeed help deal with the disease and help improve quality of life. Most of these treatments address the overall body, offering things such as relaxation techniques, pain relief, and more.

Some alternative treatments for mesothelioma include:

Massage

Many patients proclaim that massage helps them relieve stress and temporarily forget about the seriousness of their disease. Massage therapy comes in all shapes and sizes and a licensed massage therapist should be able to suggest the right one for the mesothelioma patient, taking great care not to cause any additional pain. Some therapists also claim that massage relieves nausea, which is often a side effect of chemotherapy. There is no limit to how many massages one may receive but this therapy can be cost-prohibitive and is generally not covered by insurance.

Meditation

Similar to massage, meditation prompts a feeling of peace and tranquility. Proponents of this therapy also claim that it helps to increase the body’s immune function and can aid in fighting disease. However, most patients don’t use it for that reason, but for pain relief and to learn how to bring about a healthy state of relaxation. Once a person learns to meditate, they can call upon that skill at any time.

Acupuncture

This ancient Chinese treatment has been used for thousands of years. Designed to relieve pain, specialists in this art place long, thin needles into certain points on the body. Skilled acupuncture practitioners know where to place the needles in order to control pain in a particular part of the body. Treatments can occur every few days and are generally not covered by insurance.

TENS Therapy

Short for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, TENS therapy involves the placement of electrodes on the nerve pathway. The electrical current that is produced as a result of this therapy is said to release a morphine-like substance, which serves to ease pain. Mesothelioma patients have had some success with this alternative therapy.

Vitamins, Herbal Supplements

Many cancer patients subscribe to a strict regimen of herbal supplements and vitamins. Though these treatments aren’t FDA approved, some have shown to help improve immune system efficiency. Others provide the essential nutrients that cancer patients might miss if they’re not eating right. However, your doctor should always be informed as to what supplements you’re taking, especially if you’re undergoing conventional treatments, so that the two do not interfere with each other.