Prostate Cancer Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine for Prostate Cancer

Every prostate cancer patient who comes to 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 prostate 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 prostate cancer or prostate cancer treatments, and apply the gentlest intervention needed to restore your health.

Naturopathic medicine uses the least invasive, most supportive methods possible to:

• Support normal metabolism and digestion for optimal nutrition during prostate cancer treatment.
  
• Manage any 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 prostate cancer 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 hot and cold wraps, steaming and other therapies.
• Lifestyle counseling. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, with fewer complications and side effects. Naturopathic clinicians use diet, natural hygiene and other practices to support your health during and after cancer treatment.
• Acupuncture. Some of our naturopaths also provide acupuncture therapies.
  

Treating the Whole Person with Naturapathic Medicine

As part of the intake process, your naturopathic clinician will review any supplements you may be taking and educate you about the best options, based on your symptoms and your prostate cancer treatment regimen. When building your naturopathic plan, your naturopathic clinician will consider your particular type and stage of prostate cancer, as well as your previous and current treatments.

In addition, throughout your prostate 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 medicine is always designed to support cancer treatment. Since all of your care is handled under one roof at each CTCA hospital, your 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 prostate 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 Prostate Cancer