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Serious Medicine. Extraordinary Care.

Support for Mind and Body

  • Alternative Therapy - Art Therapy, Dance Therapy, Music Therapy, and Imagery
    Art, dance, music—all are examples of mind-body therapy. Although these therapies do not cure cancer, they provide an outlet for emotions and can improve mental and physical well-being.
  • Alternative Therapy - Hypnosis
    Hypnosis is not a medical treatment for cancer, but it may have an important role in managing cancer. Hypnosis has been effective in helping patients reduce pain, stress, and depression, and calm fears and anxiety.
  • Alternative Therapy - Physical Exercise
    Exercise is an effective activity for many people with cancer. Scientists are still learning about how physical activity helps cancer patients and what impact it has on the immune system.
  • Alternative Therapy - Yoga
    Yoga means "union"—a union of the mind, body, and spirit—and uses slow movement, precise posture, meditation, and breathing exercises to reach a state of relaxation.
  • Alternative Therapy--Distraction
    Distraction does not cure cancer, but it helps push patients’ minds away from unpleasant thoughts, procedures, and pain.
  • Anxiety: Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Guided Imagery
    These skills take practice, and the more you practice them, the more helpful they are. Some people find it useful to make a tape to listen to as they practice. A soothing tape of music may help.
  • Can Optimism Make a Difference in Your Life?
    A growing number of scientific studies indicate that optimistic people tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health than pessimistic people.
  • Maintaining Quality of Life When You Have Cancer
    To help you make the transition back to your pre-cancer lifestyle, ask your doctor and other specialists to design a rehabilitation program for you. Its goal should be to strengthen you both physically and mentally.
  • Take a Vacation From Cancer
    If you're currently undergoing treatment, it may seem impossible to take time to take a vacation. But you can find ways to get away, even if it's only in your mind.