What to Ask Your Complementary Alternative Cancer Practitioner?

If you are considering consulting a complementary alternative practitioner to help support you through the process of healing from cancer, there are certain, important questions that you must ask.

Researching and questioning a practitioner is important because you need to be sure that you will be safe and that the practitioner’s work will serve as a complement to the medical treatment you are receiving as part of your conventional medical care. It is vital that you find a type of complementary alternative treatment that supplements and complements, rather than opposes, all the good work that is being done by your medical treatment.

If a complementary alternative practitioner advises you to discontinue your medical treatment and to use only alternative methods, this is a red flag. I would strongly advise that you to discard this advice and look elsewhere for support.

Very often, the best possible outcome for people with cancer, or any other chronic illness, is achieved by integrating both conventional medical treatments and alternative treatments. In doing so, you are supported on all levels – you have all your bases covered so to speak. Your medical team is working to heal you on the physical level and your complementary alternative practitioner is working to support you on an emotional and spiritual level.

Another important question you might want to ask is about the scientific evidence that validates the type of treatment they offer. Ask for research and scientific studies in their field so that you can be sure that you aren’t going to be wasting your time.

The type of healing I offer, Immersive Healing, is firmly grounded in the science of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI); you can find plenty information about PNI online. If you wish, I can provide more information and point you in the right direction.

Finally, I think another important question to ask any complementary alternative practitioner you may be considering consulting is what experience they have with cancer and cancer patients.
Cancer patients have very specific emotional and psychological needs that differ greatly from the needs of someone who wants to overcome an addiction or who wants to lose weight. Illness such as cancer bring with it a whole spectrum of emotions, concerns and fears so it is very important for you to find out if the practitioner you are considering consulting has knowledge of cancer and experience with cancer patients.