Lessen Treatment Side Effects in Minutes

Wellness Coaching cabcer BostonAny sort of medication you can take nowadays, even those so called “over the counter medications” all have side effects. Just read the label. And this is unfortunately very true when it comes to cancer treatment side effects whether you are treated in Massachusetts or anywhere else in the US.

As a Cancer Recovery Specialist I help patients, survivors and care givers successfully lessen treatment side effects via phone at 617.564.0707, online cancer coaching and my 6 weeks online program titled Cancer Wellness Mastery.

Despite tremendous breakthroughs in cancer research and cancer treatments, cancer treatment regimen will likely have some adverse side effects. However, there are several easy-to-learn ways to lessen cancer treatment side effects and their effect on your body. Rule number one; be cognizant of everything you put into your body – including your thoughts.

Lessen Cancer Treatment Side Effects!

Let’s start with your mind. Your mind is your greatest ally in this task because it is influence your body. Author Marilyn Hunter says: “It is impossible for us to be sick or injured and not have an emotional response to that, it is also impossible to be emotionally distressed or overjoyed and the body not respond to it.” In a nutshell, when you change what you focus on you change your experience.

Common treatment side effects like fatigue; nausea, anxiety and physical discomfort affect us both physically and mentally. To lessen the impact or intensity of any one of them we must experience what Anthony Robbins calls “Radical Change”, meaning we must shift into an activity that can help contradict the nature our current undesired experience.

Disclaimer: Please consult your Dr. about any of the suggestions below.

Here are some practical ways to change what you focus on:

  1. Change of environment (force your mind to focus on more urgent needs)
  2. Deep breathing techniques (help change the perception of discomfort)
  3. Music (help regulate mental patterns and breathing)
  4. Movement or motion (exercise changes physical experience and mindset)
  5. Hypnotherapy

My favorite of course is hypnotherapy because that’s the one mind-body technology I use to help my clients but the others are very effective as well. If you have questions about hypnosis for cancer wellness, please let me know.

If you are bedridden, not all apply but you have all you need already between your ears. You have imagination. Take a journey of the imagination to exotic locations you always wanted to visit. Your mind will reward you with pleasure.

Be Aware of What You Eat

Stock up on organic, healthy foods. Food is a powerful way to force change because it changes your biology. You and your family can prepare and refrigerate or freeze healthy meals before you begin therapy. This way you’ll have a lot less work to do when you’re not feeling so great. Ensure the meals are nutrient-dense, and organic (whenever possible) to aid your body in its recovery.

Choose a variety of fresh and colorful foods such as:

  • Fruits, vegetables, and legumes
  • Whole grains (Quinoa is a good one. It’s high in protein, gluten-free, easy to prepare and to digest.)
  • Low fat lean proteins: Greek yogurt 2% or 0%, eggs, seafood, lean meat, edamame (soybeans in the pod) and unsalted nuts and seeds.

Some foods to avoid or eat less of are:

  • Sodium (salt)
  • Added sugar
  • Simple sugars (white bread, white rice, candy)
  • Solid fat
  • Alcohol

Eat More Frequently

Good news. You can eat smaller, more frequent meals when you’re experiencing side effects. Try five small meals per day rather than three and see if it helps with any digestive issues. Eating this way can also give you sustained energy throughout your day.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Drink water or other liquids frequently. If you don’t like water, you can get your liquids through soup broths (low sodium, of course), fruit and green smoothies, flavored teas, and more. It’s important to drink a lot of water so you stay hydrated and flush unwanted substances from the body.

Exercise

Exercise is beneficial for everyone, but even more so for a patient receiving treatment. Cancer related fatigue is often the most troubling side effect of treatment according to patients. That’s right, even more than nausea, vomiting, pain, or sleep problems, because it affects the ability to perform every day tasks. By getting regular exercise, a patient can sleep better and feel less pain, anxiety, and depression. 1

But what kind of exercise am I talking about? No 5k’s or triathlons, but walking, biking, yoga, tai chi, and water aerobics. Those activities are varied enough that you should not get bored. Each type of exercise can be performed by novices or experts, and each one goes fairly easy on the body yet provides incredible calming and healing benefits.

Additional Alternatives 2

Other important treatments that can provide relief and healing are:

Massage – yes, please.

Meditation – can help quiet the mind.

Relaxation techniques – uses breath and visualization to calm body and mind

Acupuncture – reduces nausea, vomiting, pain and improves digestion

Aromatherapy – fights anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure 3

Music therapy – benefits patients of all ages and musical abilities. You don’t have to be Mozart or Chopin to reap the benefits. Music therapy promotes wellness, manages stress, reduces pain, and promotes physical rehabilitation. 4

Add these exercises and treatments into your overall healing arsenal to assist you in regaining better health and well-being. If you have questions on these treatments, how they are performed, and what they can do for you, please feel free to contact me right now by email free@avinoamlerner.com or phone 617.564.0707

1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3647480/

2) http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246?pg=1

3) http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/comp_med/types/aromatherapy

4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863265/

5) https://mesothelioma.net/treatment-for-mesothelioma/

6)https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/

7) http://www.asbestos.com/treatment/alternative/