Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine for balancing the flow of energy or life force believed to flow through meridians (pathways) through the body. Its most common usage is to control pain, increase blood flow and promote health. Extremely thin needles are inserted through the skin at pre-determined, strategic points on the body, believed to stimulate the body’s natural anecdote to pain and re-balance energy flow.

Aromatherapy is a process by which aroma producing oils are extracted from plants and other organic materials, bark, roots etc. and used to stimulate nerves in the nose resulting in the reduction of stress and aiding the body to produce pain-fighting substances. The oil can be applied through scent, spray and massage to release its toxic fighting agents. There is limited evidence that this therapy prevents or cures illness, but does aids in treating the patient, afflicted with cancer and mesothelioma.

Hypnotherapy or hypnosis is a therapy that allows a patient to enter a deep state of relaxation, enabling them to perceive some events differently such as blocking out pain that is associated with mesothelioma. The hypnotic state allows a person to be more open to discussion and suggestion. It can improve the success of other treatments for many conditions, including: anxiety, sleep disorder, depression, stress and post-trauma anxieties that might result from dealing with life threatening disease and especially cancer and mesothelioma.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a treatment that in some cases reduces pain by stimulating the nerves to block pain signals to the brain. This stimulation produces endorphins by passing through the body painless low-levels of electric current producing a slight tingling sensation. TENS treatments have been shown to reduce chronic pain associated with mesothelioma. According to the AMA, clinical studies have also shown its effectiveness in treating postoperative pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Massage therapy is the hands-on manipulation of soft body tissues including muscles, tendons and ligaments to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are dozens of types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities). Patients with mesothelioma and lung cancer seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons but primarily to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate surgical areas, reduce pain, and promote overall health and wellness. There are over 80 types of massage therapy available, most fall into 2 different categories relaxation and rehabilitation massage.

Sleeping soundly is a major concern for mesothelioma patients. The AMA reports 80% of cancer patients experience insomnia and sleep disorders increased stress and worsen pain. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have perceived therapeutic outcomes and getting a good night, restful sleep enhances the likelihood of achieving optimum results from these treatments.

The treatment of mesothelioma usually requires a fully integrated approach which includes a nutrition plan to provide for the health and wellbeing of the patient. Eating right and having a well-balanced diet is essential in maintaining optimum strength for handling the physical challenges associated with the treatment of the disease.

The clinical definition of meditation therapy is a method of achieving a relax state of consciousness by focusing on a mantra or word meanwhile eliminating outside stimuli from one’s own awareness. This type of therapy helps to relax the mesothelioma patient, creating a peaceful environment and reduces stress and anxiety.

Yoga is a therapy that combines a meditative state with physical movement that manipulate the body. Not all mesothelioma patients are physically equipped to handle the physicality of the therapy but yoga does provide a peaceful state reducing stress and promotion contentment.