When Maureen Peltier, 76, received chemotherapy for her highly developed-phase ovarian cancer various several years back, she uncovered that guided imagery served her offer with the treatment’s uncomfortable side results. “Whenever I felt nauseous or fatigued, I would close my eyes and visualize the medication as very little wise bombs that traveled about my overall body to find and eliminate my most cancers cells,” says Peltier, a retired lawyer in Houston.

It is a tactic she’s returned to, anytime she’s felt nervous or unsure that her most cancers will appear back. Often she photos an army of women soldiers roaming as a result of her system, attacking stray most cancers cells. Other moments she imagines h2o swirling via her veins and flushing toxins out. Right now, she credits these exercise routines with aiding her greater deal with her disorder.

“Even if it has not, it’s helped me keep a constructive angle due to the fact it is produced me really feel like I have some control above the process,” she states. “It’s provided me confidence that I can handle everything, even the not known.”

Acupuncture. With this strategy, an acupuncturist inserts skinny needles into selected strain factors in your body. It may perhaps assistance with chemotherapy side results this kind of as nausea, tiredness, and numbness in the hands and feet, states Meyer. There has not been considerably exploration on this topic, but a person compact study discovered this to be genuine. “I’m a huge believer in it, even however we still never totally have an understanding of how it is effective,” she says.

Nutritional nutritional supplements. It isn’t proposed that you consider any sort of health supplement throughout chemotherapy without having examining with your health care provider, as it may possibly interfere with the remedy, stresses Meyer. Even soon after you have completed chemo, she endorses that you constantly chat to your oncologist to be confident a nutritional supplement is harmless. If your cancer heart has an integrative medicine clinic, discuss to someone there as well. Some of the dietary supplements you may hear about include:

• Quercetin. This compound is observed the natural way in fruits and greens such as apples, onions, red grapes, cherries, raspberries, and citrus fruits. It is also in black and inexperienced teas. There is some info to display it may perhaps slow tumor growth.
• Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Lab experiments have demonstrated that this Chinese herb might limit the progress of most cancers cells, like ovarian most cancers types.
• Wheat germ extract. This health supplement was produced by a Hungarian chemist in the 1990s. It shouldn’t be confused with wheat germ oil. It may possibly help selected chemotherapy prescription drugs handle ovarian most cancers improved.
• Vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin has been touted to stop particular cancers, together with ovarian most cancers. But a assessment of 17 reports published in 2020 found there’s no proof that it lowers your likelihood of finding ovarian cancer or that it will give you far better odds of survival.
• Turmeric. This spice incorporates curcumin, a impressive antioxidant. Laboratory scientific studies show it might have anti-most cancers homes, but other reports have demonstrated that it can interfere with some chemotherapy medicines.

Yoga and tai chi. These relaxation-primarily based movement therapies may possibly support you better tolerate remedy. A single research identified that women who did just a single 15-moment yoga session in advance of a chemotherapy remedy documented a lot less panic and felt far more peaceful. Another examine of ladies with ovarian or breast most cancers identified that 10 weekly yoga lessons reduced degrees of exhaustion, despair, and nervousness in patients.

Peace physical exercises. Leisure procedures these types of as deep respiratory or guided imagery could assistance ease worry caused by your ovarian cancer. They could also help you deal with treatment method superior, suggests Grisham. “I frequently counsel patients to use these kinds of exercise to support them rest as they wait around for chemotherapy remedies, or for the benefits of an imaging test or scan,” she states. A several to attempt consist of:

• Tummy breathing. Get a breath deep sufficient to sense your tummy expand, then keep for a several seconds. Exhale slowly but surely. Repeat many occasions.
• Mantra meditation. This sort of meditation has you concentrate on a word or seem, also referred to as a mantra, these as “peace” or “really like.” Really do not fear if your mind wanders. Carefully provide it again to the existing instant. The goal is to just rest your mind, so it stays in the current rather than soar from fret to get worried.
• Guided imagery. As you do your belly respiratory, picture a peaceful scene or environment that delivers you pleasure, like your favourite beach.

If you’re interested in a complementary therapy, chat to your medical service provider. Even something that would seem completely protected could interfere with your most cancers cure. They can also notify you if the treatment has investigation to aid it. Lots of hospitals and cancer facilities also have an integrative medication section. It will operate with you to locate safe and successful therapies. Really don’t be frightened to bring this topic up, possibly. Your medical doctor will be pleased to reply your thoughts and worries so you can get the finest attainable care.