Alternative Bone Cancer Treatment

Some people use alternative bone cancer treatment methods to ease stress or to reduce the side effects and symptoms of bone cancer. In most cases, people combine alternative treatments with the more standard treatment for bone cancer. Alternative bone cancer treatment options include but are not limited to: acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products, and vitamins.

 

Alternative Bone Cancer Treatment: An Overview

Some people use alternative bone cancer treatment to ease stress or to reduce side effects and symptoms of bone cancer. In most cases, people combine alternative treatments with the more standard treatments for bone cancer (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy).
 

Types of Alternative Bone Cancer Treatment

Alternative bone cancer treatment methods can include:
 
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage therapy
  • Herbal products
  • Vitamins or special diets
  • Visualization
  • Meditation
  • Spiritual healing.
     
Many people say that these approaches help them feel better. However, some types of alternative bone cancer treatment may interfere with standard treatment, and combining alternative bone cancer treatment with standard treatment may even be harmful. It is important to note that some types of alternative treatments are expensive, and health insurance may not cover the cost of alternative treatments.
 

Alternative Bone Cancer Treatment for Pain

Pain is a potential problem for people with bone cancer. It can be caused by a tumor that is pressing against nerves and other organs, or pain can be caused by the treatment for bone cancer itself.
 
(Click Bone Cancer Pain for more information about pain relief for bone cancer.)
 
The patient's doctor or a specialist in pain control can relieve or reduce pain in several ways, including:
 
  • Pain medicine
  • Radiation
  • Nerve block.
     
The healthcare team may also suggest alternative bone cancer treatment for pain, such as:
 
  • Massage
  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure.
 
Patients may also learn to relieve pain through relaxation techniques, such as listening to slow music or breathing slowly and comfortably.
 
(Alternative Bone Cancer Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD