Oral Cancer Naturopathic Medicine
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Naturopathic Medicine for Oral Cancer
Every oral cancer patient who comes to Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) has the opportunity to see a naturopathic clinician to support their cancer treatment. Naturopathic clinicians act as consultants to the oncologists in your care team and are committed to advancing your overall health, so you can maintain the strength you need to fight oral cancer.
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic clinicians are specialists in natural health care who use natural, non-toxic therapies to support the whole person and encourage the self-healing process, with an emphasis on building health. Their goal is to minimize the risk of harmful effects from oral cancer or oral cancer treatments, and apply the gentlest intervention needed to restore your health.
Naturopathic medicine is used to:
- Support normal metabolism and digestion for optimal nutrition during oral cancer treatment.
- Manage certain side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea or fatigue.
- Boost immune function.
- Support long-term health and wellness.
The Healing Power of Nature
Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to maintain health and to heal when faced with an illness like cancer. The naturopathic medicine team at CTCA aims to support this process, by creating a healthy environment both inside and outside the body.
Our naturopaths make recommendations from a wide variety of natural therapies, including:
- Herbal and botanical preparations, including supplements, teas and tinctures.
- Natural therapies, such as garlic, ginger and salt water.
- Homeopathic remedies, mainly plant extracts and minerals that gently strengthen the body's healing and immune response.
- Physical therapy and exercise therapy, including massage and other gentle techniques used on deep muscles and joints for therapeutic purposes.
- Hydrotherapy, which prescribes water-based approaches like steaming, hot and cold wraps, and other therapies.
- Lifestyle counseling. Many medical conditions can be treated with foods and nutritional supplements, with fewer complications and side effects. Naturopathic clinicians use diet, natural hygiene and other practices to support your health during and after oral cancer treatment.
- Acupuncture. Some of our naturopaths also provide acupuncture therapies.
Treating the Whole Person
As part of the intake process, your naturopathic clinician will review any supplements you may be taking and educate you about options, based on your symptoms and your oral cancer treatment regimen. When building your naturopathic plan, your naturopathic clinician will consider your particular type and stage of oral cancer, as well as your previous and current treatments.
In addition, throughout your oral cancer treatment, your naturopathic clinician will suggest naturopathic remedies to help to minimize any foreseen side effects of upcoming therapies. Your naturopath will monitor your supplement and vitamin intake to ensure safety from potential drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions.
Naturopathic treatment is always designed to support conventional cancer treatment. Since all of your care is handled under one roof at each CTCA hospital, your oral cancer naturopathic clinician is able to consult regularly with your oncologist and the rest of your care team to monitor the progress of your treatment.
All of our naturopathic clinicians have extensive knowledge of radiation, chemotherapy and other oral cancer treatments. They help guide your treatment plan and are in regular communication with the oncology team at CTCA.
Next Topic: Mind-Body Medicine for Oral Cancer
