While there are many forms of traditional medical treatment options available for Breast Cancer, there are also alternative treatments to consider as well. They are not meant to replace traditional cancer treatment protocols, but to be used as an addition.

In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women. Currently, science has not discovered the cause for a majority of breast cancers, though many of the risk factors have been identified.

There are many theories surrounding what causes cancer such as: inherited tendencies, genetic mutations, as well as certain environmental factors. The subject of breast cancer is an area of ongoing research and every single woman is at risk.

While there are many forms of traditional medical treatment options available for breast cancer, there are also alternative treatments to consider as well. These alternative treatments are not meant to replace or substitute traditional cancer treatment protocols, but to be used as an addition.

The most common conventional treatment approaches to breast cancer include; surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal and biological therapies. However, there are a growing number of alternative treatment clinics in the United States and around the world that are having good results in the treatment of breast cancer.

Acupressure and Breast Cancer

Acupressure is another method practiced in traditional Chinese medicine, it involves using pressure applied to specific parts of the body where Qi can be trapped or blocked. Practicing acupressure can actually aid in the prevention of breast cancer and lessen the likelihood of recurrence.

When beginning to practice acupressure, it is not imperative to be right on target, massaging the general area can be just as useful as focusing on the precise spot. For a person suffering from breast cancer, it is recommended to massage the cancer spots for at least 5-minutes each per day. For general breast cancer prevention, practicing acupressure 3-5 times per week has shown to be moderately effective.

Acupressure is also highly effective at reducing the side- effects associated with radiation and chemotherapy, by assisting the body in eliminating the toxins produced by these treatments. To achieve the greatest benefits possible, experts recommend practicing acupressure as often as possible.

Mind-Body Medicine and Breast Cancer

The field of mind-body medicine, while still a relatively new practice, is called Psychoneuroimmuno;ogy or PNI. When broken down, the word “Psycho,” refers to thoughts, emotions and moods, while “Neuro,” refers to the neurological and neuroendocrine systems and “Immunology,” refers to cellular structures and the body’s immune system.

The concept of mind-body medicine focuses on the interactions that take place between the brain, body, mind and behavior. Also on the powerful ways in which emotions, mentality, social, spiritual and behavior can correlate directly upon the impact of ones health. It enhances a person’s ability for self-knowledge and self-care and teaches techniques cantered around this approach.

The premise of mind-body medicine is not to be used as a treatment alternative for breast cancer, but as an enhancement to traditional medical treatment protocols. Such things included in a mind-body approach to breast cancer treatment might include use of the following methods:

• Stress management techniques: a diagnoses of cancer can cause a wide array of emotional, physical, behavioral and emotional responses in the human body. With the assistance of mind-body specialists, patients will be taught effective ways of handling the wide array of symptoms a person experiences when going through breast cancer treatment.

• Guided Imagery: negative images in the mind can cause a person to feel muscle tension, increased breathing and tachycardia (increased heart rate). With positive imaging a person can control breathing, nausea, raise blood count levels and help alleviate the symptoms of constipation and effectively manage pain.

• Laughter Therapy: laughing is a wonderful way to reduce stress and stimulate the immune system of the human body. Through this inner stimulation the body is able to aid itself in the healing process and generate more energy.

• Pain Management Methods: when a human being feels pain, the body responds by producing arousal in emotions and thoughts. Pain causes anxiety and can lead to depression, which may intensify the pain. Through mind-body medicine a patient can be taught techniques to help reduce and effectively manage pain, anxiety and depression, which will in turn assist the body in natural healing.

Courtesy: http://www.steadyhealth.com