Seven Healing Principles to Guide and Heal You Along Your Cancer Journey

You don’t need to lose your peace and joy because of cancer. If you so choose, cancer can be an opportunity for personal growth, deeper healing, and insight. Susan Apollon, a psychologist and cancer survivor, has written a new book called An Inside Job. It offers insights into healing’s true nature and how you can tap into your own power when facing a cancer challenge.

Cancer is one of the darkest valleys in life. Cancer patients must maintain peace and stability despite the doctor’s visits, new treatments, anxiety and fear.

“Cancer is a wake-up call, and the way you choose to answer it is very important,” says Susan Apollon, author of An Inside Job: A Psychologist Shares Healing Wisdom for Your Cancer Journey (Matters of the Soul, LLC; 2017; ISBN: 978-0-9754036-0-0; $24.95; www.aninsidejobforhealingcancer.com). When cancer enters your life, you must embrace the concept of healing from within. Cancer healing is more than a physical treatment. It’s a spiritual issue.

Apollon, a breast cancer survivor, says that fear is what holds people back from facing and overcoming cancer challenges. Stress, anxiety and depression are all symptoms of fear. They can also hinder your healing. You can face your cancer challenges head on by learning to show yourself unconditional love.

Apollon says, “Well-being encompasses so much more than just physical health.” Your healing potential is maximized when you take care of your mind, your body, , andsoul. To maintain a healthy immune system, you must utilize all available resources. You can heal yourself by learning to respond to fear with love, joy and hope.

An inside job contains practical tips for caring for your mind, body and spirit, advice from cancer experts, and real stories that will comfort and support you. Here are a few of Apollon’s healing principles.

Choose to view cancer as a blessing. You may not feel grateful when you are given a cancer diagnosis. However, Apollon reminds us that we have the choice to view our lives in a positive or negative way. You can either choose to spiral into despair and lock on to fear and negativity or let cancer serve as a catalyst to learn how to care for yourself.

Apollon says, “This is what happens most often.” Life moves you forward and you have to deal with obstacles and problems that arise. This may be years before you are diagnosed with cancer. You compromise and let stress control you. Hearing ‘you’ve got cancer’ changes your outlook on life. When you realize that life’s responsibilities are not worth it, then you can fix what is not working in your life. You can start taking care of yourself in ways you never could (or would) before. You can still live a healthier and more fulfilling life, even as you strive to overcome the challenges of cancer. It is both a gift, and an opportunity.

Let yourself grieve. Cancer diagnosis can cause a lot of grief for many people. Not only because you’ve been diagnosed, but also from past unprocessed grief. It is natural and healthy to fully experience this grief instead of holding it back. Apollon says that you should allow yourself to fully grieve and that it is different from being in a negative mindset.

Apollon says that everyone grieves differently and in different ways. You may feel numb, weepy or anxious. Or you might even be panicked. It’s okay if you have symptoms, whatever they may be. And it’s fine to seek professional help if you feel you need it. The greatest gift you can do for yourself is to take the time and steps necessary to deal with your grief.

Use essential tools to heal. You can also take steps to increase healing and balance your energy in addition to the medical treatment. After grieving the loss of life that you once knew, it is important to let go any feelings of fear, negativity and stress.

An inside job provides a variety of exercises that will help you to raise your vibrational energies and be fully present on your cancer journey. Apollon explores various modalities that help patients let go of the past, and tune in to their bodies and souls. She explains how integrative practices such as meditation, mindfulness and energy medicine can help you tune in to your needs and promote healing.

One easy exercise from An Inside Job is Apollon’s technique Face/Embrace/(Breathe)/Replace. How to do it. Place your dominant hand over your heart whenever you feel “not so good.” Then ask yourself, “What am I feeling? Good or bad?” If you get a “not good” answer, put your hand on your forehead, and ask, What is it that I’m thinking? For example, if you’re facing cancer you might think, I’m afraid to die or I don’t understand what will happen to me. After you’ve identified the emotion and thought that caused it, it is time to acknowledge and let it go. Do not ignore or minimize your feelings, no matter how strong they are. Use your breath next to release this emotion. Breathe in energy of peace and exhale the energy from the toxic thought. Imagine your body filled with warmth, peace, and love. For at least 30 seconds, use all of your senses to replace the “not-good” thought with an image or thought that makes you feel better. This is similar to creating a virtual reality film that makes you feel good. This tool can be used whenever you feel anxiety, worry or distress. After you have finished processing, do anything (such as running an errand or cleaning something), that will serve as a distraction. Repetition is key when you feel a distressing emotion. The more you do this, the more it becomes easier and more effective.

You can use the law of Attraction to improve your health. Apollon explains we live in a universe of energy and that our thoughts are also energy. She emphasizes the fact that energy of like nature attracts energy of like nature. The words you use to describe yourself are important and can affect your vibrational level. Your energetic vibrations must be high in order to promote healing.

Apollon says that if you dwell on anger, bitterness and grief you will not only feel bad, but your immune system will be weakened and healing will be slowed. It’s important to affirm gratitude and think positive thoughts. Positive affirmations are helpful in this process. Say a few affirmations every day, and especially when you start to feel depressed.

Apollon suggests the following affirmations: My chemo is helping me to get rid of cancer; I’m aligned with heart; I love myself and am loved by others; I’m grateful for all my blessings.

Use nutrition as medicine. If cancer is your problem, you should become familiar with food as medicine. Apollon insists. She says that when you are ill it is important to pay attention to what you eat, as many diseases, such as cancer, thrive off certain foods. Other foods can help you fight disease.

An inside job contains many guidelines on how to eat for cancer patients, but there are some basic principles that you should remember. Eat whole foods, not processed ones. Buy organic when possible. Consume antioxidant-rich veggies to boost your immune system. Avoid refined sugar, as it feeds cancerous cells.

Selflessness is a good thing. It helps you more than what you think! Cancer requires you to be selfish in your energy use, but it is important to realize that helping others will also speed up your healing. Apollon says that helping others increases your vibrational energy, which in turn supports healing.

Apollon says, “Having a positive effect on the world is something that will make you feel good on a deep level.” These feelings will then trigger a chain reaction that brings happiness and healing to your body. When you are actively involved in helping another person, you have no time to wallow around in worry, grief and self-pity. Find a cause you care about and help it, whether that’s by organizing a fundraising event, teaching others how to do something, or performing small acts of kindness.”

Think about integrative medicine when selecting your healing team. Apollon says that cancer patients today have many options when it comes to their medical treatment. However, Apollon recommends an integrative approach in selecting your healing team. It is important to use all the modern medicine available, but you should also find healers that will listen, who treat you individually, and guide you to a treatment plan that is right for your body, mind and spirit.

Apollon asserts, “We live in an era when Eastern medicine and Western medicine are being married together. We’re lucky.” “A holistic approach acknowledges you as a living energy and allows you restore your well-being through a variety ways. They also include acupuncture and Reiki in their treatment plans, as well as tai-chi, qigong and yoga, herbal supplements and nutrition programs. They can care for both their bodies and souls. Many have seen physical healing, as well as a better quality of life.

Apollon concludes, “Even though no one wants to be diagnosed with cancer, the way you view your future will have a significant impact on how much healing you can achieve.” “Answering the cancer with unconditional self-love and giving yourself all of the energy, nutrition, and peace that it needs will unburden you body and prepare you to greater healing.”

The article Seven Healing Principles To Guide And Heal You On Your Cancer Journey first appeared on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why would people with cancer choose to use other methods?

Cancer patients are often faced with many challenges when they try to find ways to cope with their illnesses. Some patients may believe they are doomed to failure or that there is no way out. Patients may experience pain, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, loss of strength, etc.

In addition, conventional treatments are often not effective against cancer cells. Therefore, cancer patients seek other therapies, such as complementary medicine. Research shows that nearly half of patients have used alternative medicine at least once in their treatment.

Complementary medicine is often chosen by cancer patients over chemotherapy. It’s easier to manage side effect. They may also prefer it because it is less expensive.

Other reasons include the following:

Some patients believe natural remedies can prevent a recurrence.

Many people believe that natural remedies could improve the quality and quantity of their lives.

Others believe that natural remedies may reduce the chance of getting cancer.

For those concerned about possible side effects of chemotherapy, natural remedies can be used as first-line therapy.

What is the difference between Naturopathic Medicine and Holistic Medicine,

The two main types of medicine are conventional medicine and complementary/alternative medicine. Conventional medicine relies heavily on drugs and surgery to treat its patients. Complementary/Alternative Medicine (CAM) uses natural therapies such as herbs, vitamins, acupuncture, and massage to treat illness and promote health. CAM is not meant to replace conventional treatment, but to help patients who are able to choose what is best for them.

On the other hand, naturopathy is used to complement conventional medical practices. It is a holistic approach to treating the whole body, mind, as well as the spirit. There are many different forms of naturopathy, including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Traditional Native American Medicine, and Functional Medicine.

It is important that you note that some CAM modalities may overlap with traditional medicine. Doctors and naturopaths can both prescribe herbal remedies. However, naturopaths tend to emphasize lifestyle changes over prescription medications.

Naturopathy is sometimes called “complementary” since it complements traditional medicine and does not replace it. Naturopaths might prescribe medication if necessary.

There are some differences between naturopathic and other CAM modalities.

Naturopaths usually do not diagnose or prescribe medication.
Naturopaths will work with the patient’s family medicine and may refer patients outpatients to specialists, if necessary.
Naturopathic physicians are regulated by provincial licensing boards, whereas CAM practitioners are self-regulated.
Naturopathy emphasizes prevention and well-being while also educating about diet and exercise.
Naturopaths place a strong emphasis on lifestyle factors. These include nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep, nutrition, and mental well being.
Naturopharmacists can use botanicals and mineral to treat specific conditions.
Naturopodists are trained to provide individualized care based on each patient’s unique needs.
Regulators such as the College of Naturopathic Physicians of Ontario license Naturopaths.
The provincial regulatory bodies issue licenses to naturopatrists.
Naturopaticians are registered with the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
Naturotherapists are licensed by the College of Naturopaths of British Columbia.
The United States National Board of Medical Examiners is authorized to license Naturobiotic therapists.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency licenses homeopaths.
Holistic refers to the belief in all aspects of one’s life, including spiritual, physical, and emotional. Holistic doctors will not focus on just one aspect of the equation but consider all elements.

What is Alternative Medicine and How Does It Work?

It is a healing approach that focuses on prevention instead of treating. It encourages people become educated consumers who are actively involved in improving their overall health and well-being.

Alternative medicine refers only to any type of treatment and diagnosis that does NOT use allopathic (conventional).

What is the distinction between holistic medicine and traditional medicines?

Traditional medicine is concerned with treating symptoms. Holistic medicine addresses the whole person. Holistic medicine is holistic and does not focus on any one aspect of the patient’s/her health.

Traditional medicine treats only a few organs or system (such as the mind), while holistic medicine addresses all aspects of the human body. It also looks at how lifestyle choices affect overall wellness.

Statistics

The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)

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How To

What are the main 4 categories of complementary and/or alternative medicine?

The main categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are mind-body, natural products as well as manipulative therapies. Mind-body medicine encompasses yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki and massage therapy. It also includes homeopathy, homeopathy, aromatherapy (reflexology), naturopathy biofeedback, Hypnosis, hypnosis, and chiropractic care. Natural products include herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative treatments include physical manipulations, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic treatment. Prayer and visualization are some of the techniques used for energy healing.

CAM is a general term that covers many health practices not covered by Western medical models. These practices vary widely regarding how much scientific evidence supports them, whether they involve drugs or surgery, and which conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners can also do diagnostic testing (e.g., blood test) and prescribe medication. Others may do neither.

These four categories are not the only ones. There are many subcategories within each one. Mind-body medicine includes relaxation techniques, mindfulness training and guided imagery. It also includes self-hypnosis, meditation, qigong and Tai chi. Natural products can include nutritional supplements and botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies as well as essential oils, botanical medicines, essential oils, nutraceuticals herbal preparations, medicinal herbs, and teas. Manual, movement, manipulation, electrotherapies and soft tissue mobilization are some of the manipulative therapies. Spiritual healing includes faith healing and prayer.

Many CAM treatments can be used to treat symptoms and not the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many good reasons to use CAM.

To improve their overall wellbeing.
To manage a condition.
To decrease pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a person’s belief system.

Some people use CAM to have more control over their own health than traditional medicine. They may believe it has fewer side effects. Some people choose CAM to not take prescription drugs. Still, others prefer not to take pharmaceuticals if possible. And still, others seek out CAM because they have had bad experiences with conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM say they want to be sure about what they are doing before trying something new. Many CAM users ask questions about the safety and effectiveness of CAM. Others rely on friends and family for word of mouth.

Although CAM is sometimes viewed negatively in society, many users have positive feelings about it. People who use CAM are healthier and happier than those that don’t. This holds true regardless your age, gender or race.

The majority of Americans use some form of complementary and alternative medicine. Nearly all adults–95%–use one type of CAM at least once during their lifetime. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health was able to estimate that around 40 million people visited CAM practitioners in 2010 alone.

According to the NCCIH estimate, 10% of the U.S. Population uses chiropractors.

The American Medical Association reiterated its support for integrative medical care in 2013. It recognized that doctors must “integrate scientifically valid alternative and complementary medicine into clinical practices…to meet patients’ needs.”

The Institute of Medicine published a landmark study in 2007 titled “Releasing Constraints – Improving Access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare” which concluded that “there is no credible evidence of any specific CAM intervention being effective in preventing, treating, and curing cancer.”

CAM continues its popularity despite the fact that it has been proven to be very popular. In 2008, the number of CAM practitioners increased by 8 percent compared to 2007.

A recent study showed that nearly half of respondents had used CAM to supplement their primary care.

CAM therapies can include natural products, mind/body practices, manipulative methods, energy healing techniques, exercise, dietary supplementation, and other approaches.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily as pain relief. But, many offer additional benefits such relaxation, improved moods, better sleep, decreased stress and enhanced immunity.

Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which originated in China 5,000 years back, has been practiced in China ever since.

TCM is an important component of modern health care.

TCM treatment is now used by over 70% of American citizens.

Yoga is another popular CAM therapy. Yoga originated in India around 5000 B.C. It is now widespread.

Yoga has become increasingly popular with the general public because it offers physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can ease stress, improve flexibility and increase strength.

Although there is limited scientific research, yoga seems to have positive effects on sleep33 and may be helpful for those suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine, including meditation, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.

One of the most common types of CAM used today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are made up of herbs, spices flowers, seeds fruits, nuts, bark, leaves and roots.

They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to American Cancer Society, 45% adults diagnosed with cancer reported that they used alternative medicine during treatment.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent study 51% of cancer survivors used at least one type CAM.

However, only 8% of these individuals discussed this use with their physicians.

This communication gap between conventional medical providers, CAM users and traditional doctors is a major problem in healthcare delivery.

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