Harmony in healing
A breast cancer diagnosis is daunting and can reshape nearly every aspect of daily life. Navigating a diagnosis or supporting a loved one is no easy feat, too. And while medical treatment is at the core of recovery, alternative healing can be an outlet for support through treatment.
Called integrative oncology, these intentional practices can complement medical care that nourishes the whole person—potentially alleviating pain in the mind and body. Without losing sight of the medical treatment at the core of recovery, this Breast Cancer Awareness Day, these practices propose alternative ways to care and healing, from acupuncture and gentle movement to other restorative routines.
The case for acupuncture
Recognized by major oncology guidelines, acupuncture applies needles and occasional heat to the skin. It’s a traditional part of Chinese medicine rooted in the belief that qi (or vital energy) flows along the body’s meridians, affecting all aspects of a person’s being—from the spiritual to the emotional, and of course, the physical.
In the context of cancer, acupuncture can help manage treatment-related symptoms such as nausea from chemotherapy or joint pain associated with hormone therapy, although it’s always best to have it administered by a qualified practitioner.
In the local community, husband-and-wife team Drs. Fatima and Jerome Tan are sought-out acupuncturists, with clinics at both the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center and in Binondo.
Supporting the body’s lymphatic flow
Surgery and radiation can sometimes disrupt lymphatic circulation, leading to lymphedema, or persistent swelling in the arm, breast, or chest area. Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized, gentle massage technique performed by trained practitioners to help move excess fluid and manage swelling. As part of a broader lymphedema management plan, it may also help ease discomfort and improve mobility.
Of course, patients should consult their oncology team before any massage, particularly during surgery recovery.
Mindful movement
Treatment can change a person’s relationship with their body in a challenging way. Adapted yoga or somatic yoga are amazing mindful methods to support emotional well-being through gentle stretches. In fact, studies have shown that it alleviates fatigue for many women going through breast cancer.
“The body remembers,” they say, and somatic yoga in particular targets the emotions that can build up unknowingly in the body. Developed in the 1970s by Thomas Hanna, the practice blends super slow movements with deep internal body awareness called interoception. The supposed effects include releasing muscle tension and lowering stress hormones like cortisol, ultimately resetting the nervous system—something that may help with cancer-related fatigue or anxiety.
If recovering from surgery or reconstruction, gentle shoulder and upper body stretches with a cancer rehabilitation specialist can help healing as well.
Learning to sit with uncertainty
This may be the toughest of all complementary therapies. A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming with uncertainty, continuing past appointments and treatment sessions.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an evidence-based, eight-week program that helps patients manage stress through meditation and mindful movement. These include sitting meditations, body scan awareness, walking meditation, and very gentle Hatha yoga.
And while MBSR has its costs, finding stillness and sitting with a quiet mind is free. So for those interested in meditation, guided breathing or meditations online can be an accessible starting point.
All the ways to love
There are a multitude of alternative therapies that can be done, even without a diagnosis. There’s ecotherapy—a fancy word for grounding in nature, breathing fresh air, and communing with the trees. And then there are dietary changes, like eating vibrant, colorful fruits and vegetables, hydrating regularly, and eating antioxidant-rich foods.
If yoga isn’t your thing, try mindful walks, tai chi, or qigong. For sensory exercises, you can try your hand at art or music therapy, or journaling. It could be as simple as rearranging your space, too, to create a low-stress, healing sanctuary, filled with indoor plants.
Even setting boundaries can be a way to care for oneself, like saying “no” to obligations or accepting help with chores and errands when loved ones offer.
Complementary therapies are not cures for breast cancer, nor should they ever replace evidence-based medical treatments. What they can do is bolster patients with additional support to manage the difficult symptoms, while making sense of the emotional demands of recovery.
No two experiences of cancer are ever the same, and neither is the support that each person needs. Whether you’re going through treatment or supporting someone who is, lean on the people who love you, and make room for difficult days.
And whatever the journey looks like, there is room to ask for help along the way.
Always consult your primary oncology care team before introducing new supplements or physical routines to ensure that every practice harmonizes safely with your individual care plan.
