Complementary Therapies

Acupuncture, which is part of traditional Chinese medicine, focuses on balancing the body's own life force to restore wellbeing.

Practitioners of Chinese medicine believe that the body's life force (Chi) becomes unbalanced when someone is ill.  Thin acupuncture needles are applied to areas of the body where the life force has been blocked, in order to restore health and balance.

Acupuncture can be used to alleviate pain and sickness, and to relax muscles. 

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (concentrated oils from plants) and massage to reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety. A variety of oils with specific scents and properties are used to produce different results.

It may be best for you to avoid using oils on your skin while you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, both of which can make your skin very sensitive.

That said, lightly scented candles can be used to help relieve nausea and promote relaxation. 

Massage, which can be both therapeutic and relaxing, is used to relieve muscle pain and tension.

Be sure to tell the massage therapist that you are a myeloma patient and that forceful massage could damage your bones.

Meditation is a gentle mental exercise that can help reduce anxiety, stress and pain. Breathing techniques and concentration are used to relax each part of the body in turn.

Meditation can help promote sleep and relieve tension.

Reflexology is a specialized form of therapeutic foot massage that is based on the theory that different areas of the foot are connected to the body's internal organs.

Pressure is applied to different points on the sole of the foot to help relieve pain and sickness.

This type of massage can be very relaxing.

Reiki is an ancient form of healing that uses the body's own energy or life force to restore a sense of balance or calmness, release tension and reduce pain.

The reiki healer channels energy through his or her hands to various parts of your body. Although he or she does not actually touch you, you may feel sensations of heat, cold, vibration and tingling on the skin.

You can remain fully clothed while receiving reiki healing.  

Visualization involves the use of mental imagery while you are in a state of meditation or relaxation. It can be used as a relaxation tool, or to reduce stress and anxiety.

Picturing yourself in a peaceful scene can promote relaxation.

Some patients imagine their immune system destroying myeloma cells or visualize their blood counts coming up.