Holistic Treatments for Liver Cancer

Holistic treatment for liver cancer indicates a science of healing that uses the person's whole spirit, mind and body. This treatment practice integrates the alternative and conventional therapies used to prevent and treat liver cancer, as well as promote the patient's wellbeing. The principle behind holistic treatment is the use of unimpeded and unlimited free flow of energy though one’s body, spirit, and mind. Holistic treatment includes analysis of emotional, physical, spiritual, nutritional, environmental and lifestyle elements. One important thing about holistic treatment for liver cancer is that it focuses upon the patient’s participation during the process of healing. Discussed below are available holistic treatment measures for liver cancer.

Healing

Healing is a practice which is thousands of years old. Those who heal or practice healing believe that healing energy exists around them and we can use that energy to heal those with any disease, including liver cancer. Also, there some spiritual healers who believe that healing power comes from a divine or supernatural source. Other healers see that energy as a universal energy.

There are different types of healing as discussed below:

• Contact Healing: In this type of healing, the healer touches the patient, regarded as a "laying of hands" that has properties of rejuvenation.
• Absent Healing: This type of healing means you don’t have to be in contact with the healer for it to work. The healer just sends healing power or energy your way.
• Faith Healing: This type of healing uses a player to heal patients.
• Therapeutic Touch: The healers enter a meditative state with the gods and lay their hands above your body and correct any type of imbalance in your body's energy.

Scientific evidence does not advocate healing as a treatment option for liver cancer. But many people around the globe say that healing can increase peace of mind, relieve anxiety, reduce stress and also reduce the pain that comes with liver cancer. Some studies have supported this, and say that this practice help patients feel better and helps them cope with the symptoms of liver cancer.

Yoga

Yoga is a procedure which is very common in India, China and many Western countries. Yoga involves the whole body in physical activity involving both working and breathing (pranayama). Yoga also involves stretching exercises, together with posture and meditation. Yoga has been proved to create harmony between your spirit, mind and body, which helps to clear and calm your mind.

The main reason why people with liver cancer use yoga is because it makes them feel good. Yoga teachers use this meditation exercise to help promote relaxation while avoiding depression, stress and anxiety. In general, yoga will help you boast your mood and enhance a healthy life. Many liver cancer patients who practice yoga says that it help them have a calm mind which enhance a better life and also help them cope with the treatments. Other patients say that yoga helps to reduce side effects and symptoms of liver cancer such as depression, pain, insomnia and tiredness.

Acupuncture

This is a type of treatment which involves placing small needles into your body at particular points. The needles are left in the body for a short time and then removed. Acupuncture is proven to help reduce some physical problems such as pain, anxiety and a general feeling of being unwell.

Different studies have shown that acupuncture can help treat of liver cancer. It can help reduce some of the symptoms and side effects associated with chemotherapy drugs. These side effects include nausea and loss of appetite. Rather than nausea caused by chemotherapy drugs, liver cancer itself can cause nausea.

According to scientific research, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate certain nerves to produce some chemicals which reduce the symptoms of liver cancer. These chemicals have been seen to change some of the body's functioning, such as muscle tension. Some of these chemicals include:

• Endorphins: Chemicals released by the spinal cord or the brain to help reduce pain.
• Serotonin: A chemical released by the brain through acupuncture. Serotonin helps relieve pain and creates a feeling of wellbeing.

Hypnotherapy

This is also another holistic liver cancer therapy which uses hypnosis. Hypnosis is trance-like state where the body is in deep relaxation, but the mind is very active. We undergo hypnosis naturally in our daily lives; for example, when concentrating on something or daydreaming. Hypnotherapy is a procedure led by a specialist known as a hypnotherapist. The specialists use different methods to put one in a trance. The specialist speaks to you smoothly and slowly, asking you to look at some objects at fixed places. Hypnotherapy is aimed at changing your behavior and mood in a positive way to help you reduce any physical symptoms of your liver cancer. However, you cannot be hypnotized if you don’t want to be.

Just like other types of therapy, hypnotherapy is used as an alternative therapy to help a liver cancer patient relax and cope with cancer drugs. Research has shown that hypnotherapy can help liver cancer patients reduce pain, anxiety, stress and blood pressure.

Chiropractic Care

This is a treatment and therapy of liver cancer and other cancers which involves:

• Some prescribed exercises
• Self-care advice
• Manual therapy, which is accomplished by use one's hands to manipulate the patient’s muscles, bones and joints.

This type of therapy does not involve surgery or drugs. It emphasizes manipulation of the joints and spine.

The main reason to use chiropractic therapy for liver cancer patients is to help control tension, general pain and headaches. This therapy can relieve abdominal pains and headaches.

Shark Cartilage

This is a cartilage extracted from spiny dogfish and hammerhead sharks. The cartilage is then made into powder and can be bought as a dietary supplement for liver cancer. You can get brands such as:

• Benefin
• CCarticin
• artilade

Some liver cancer patients use shark cartilage as a holistic treatment instead of the conventional liver cancer treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Aromatherapy

This is another holistic treatment for liver cancer, where some essential oils concentrated with essences are used for their scents. The essences are taken from fruits, flowers, roots, seeds or certain plants. These essential oils are used to make perfumes or aromas. These oils have essential properties but a few of them are used for liver cancer treatment. Some of the more popular oils include:

• geranium
• chamomile
• lemon
• jasmine
• rosemary
• ylang
• eucalyptus
• lavender
• marjoram
• peppermint

Aromatherapies believe that aromatherapy is beneficial as it can boost the patient’s wellbeing, refresh the body, and relieve stress.

Each essential oil in aromatherapy has its own properties and health benefits. For example, lavender can be used to get rid of insomnia (sleeping problems) and also relieve the patient’s muscle tension.

The Bottom Line

As discussed above, holistic treatment for liver cancer involves the use of body, mind, and spirit during the healing process. Although much scientific evidence does not support holistic treatments, some of them have successfully cured liver cancer. Holistic treatments for liver cancer have been widely used around the globe and are beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety and relieving cancer symptoms.