Manage Physical Pain
What causes physical pain in cancer patients?
Pain is one of the most common symptoms in cancer patients. Pain can be caused by cancer, cancer treatment, or a combination of factors. Tumors, surgery, intravenous chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, supportive care therapies such as bisphosphonates, and diagnostic procedures may cause you pain – National Cancer Institute
What therapies can help control cancer-related pain?
Cannabis
According to the National Cancer Institute, when cancer pain is severe and persistent, it is often resistant to treatment with opioids. Two studies examined the effects of oral delta-9-THC on cancer pain. The first, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving ten patients, measured both pain intensity and pain relief. It was reported that 15 mg and 20 mg doses of the cannabinoid delta-9-THC were associated with substantial analgesic effects, with antiemetic effects and appetite stimulation.
This 2023 Study Cannabis in Cancer Survivors Who Report High Impact Chronic Pain: Findings from a 1500+ Patient Survey concluded: Cancer survivors with HICP [High Impact Chronic Pain] have a higher prevalence of cannabis use compared to those patients without pain.
This 2022 study The Effectiveness and Safety of Medical Cannabis for Treating Cancer Related Symptoms in Oncology Patients concluded: this prospective, comprehensive and large-scale cohort demonstrated an overall mild to modest long-term statistical improvement of all investigated measures including pain, associated symptoms and, importantly, reduction in opioid (and other analgesics) use. It seems that MC treatment is safe for oncology patients, but its efficacy and clinical relevance may be limited.
This 2023 study Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life concluded: In this study of legal market edible cannabis products in cancer patients, two weeks of ad libitum cannabis use was associated with improvements in pain intensity and interference, sleep quality and subjective cognitive functioning. It is particularly of note that high CBD, not THC, use during this two-week period was associated with steeper improvements in pain intensity and sleep quality. Acute cannabis use decreased pain intensity, decreased some measures of objective cognitive function, and increased feelings of subjective high.
Study: Nausea, appetite loss, pain, and anxiety are all afflictions of wasting, and all can be mitigated by marijuana.
This study, published in Current Oncology in 2016 states:
For the cancer patient, cannabis has a number of potential benefits, especially in the management of symptoms. Cannabis is useful in combatting anorexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, pain, insomnia, and depression. Cannabis might be less potent than other available antiemetics, but for some patients, it is the only agent that works, and it is the only antiemetic that also increases appetite.
Low dose Naltrexone
Evidence suggests that naltrexone, when used in low dose (1.75-4.5mg), shows inhibitory properties at the opioid receptors enabling the body to increase the production of endogenous opioids (endorphins) along with upregulating the immune system, according to this Study.
Methadone
This 2017 study says:
Methadone has beneficial characteristics as an analgesic against cancer pain, including high bioavailability, multiple receptor affinities, and lack of active metabolites that might induce adverse side effects.
Acupuncture
The technique of inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a technique you can use to learn to control your body’s functions, such as your heart rate. With biofeedback, you’re connected to electrical sensors that help you receive information (feedback) about your body (bio). This feedback helps you focus on making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain.
Biomagnetic Pair Therapy
Biomagnetic Pair Therapy can help manage reduce pain. This reduction in pain can lead to an improved quality of life
Cesium Chloride
Cesium chloride not only kills cancer cells, but it immediately stops the metastasis of the cancer, can shrink tumor masses within weeks, and almost always stops the pain of cancer within 12 to 36 hours.
Chiropractic Care
Cancer and its treatments often cause stress on the musculoskeletal system. Some cancer patients experience peripheral neuropathy, aches and pains in the neck and/or back, muscle tension, headaches or difficulty walking. Chiropractic care may help to reduce stress and increase mobility, flexibility, strength and function.
Hands-on Healing / Healing Touch
This study The Clinical Effectiveness of Healing Touch,
included twenty-two (22) clients who had never experienced Healing Touch.
It concluded: The data support the clinical effectiveness of Healing Touch in health enhancement, specifically for raising sIgA concentrations, lowering stress perceptions and relieving pain. The evidence indicates that positive responses were not exclusively as a result of placebo, that is, client beliefs, expectations, and behaviors regarding Healing Touch.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis has been suggested to be a useful adjunct for pain reduction in cancer patients and can significantly reduce cancer-related pain, antiemetic use, nausea and emesis (vomiting) during medical procedures, as well as anxiety related to all of the mentioned symptoms occurring in cancer patients.
Massage
Massage treatment is the manipulation of muscles and soft tissue through kneading, rubbing, pressing, etc. Studies have shown that a massage will decrease stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue. Therefore, it is very beneficial in any cancer protocol. The connection among physical well-being, touch, and relaxation is very strong and can enhance the body’s own abilities to heal.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) therapy involves sequential tensing and relaxation of major skeletal muscle groups and aims to reduce feelings of tension, to lower perceived stress, and to induce relaxation.
Reports of patients who participated in PMR training following cancer treatment indicate that they experienced reduced state anxiety, pain, and symptoms of depression, as well as improvements in sleep parameters and overall quality of life.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a safe, and non-invasive way to reduce pain and inflammation. It can be used to supplement and enhance currently existing healthcare modalities. The PEMF apparatus includes various devices including full body mats, localized pad applicators, and pinpointed probe or “spot” applicators.
Reiki
Reiki is a natural non-invasive therapy that promotes healing through stress reduction, relaxation and balancing of your energy systems. Reiki helps the muscles and tissues relax resulting in an increase in the blood flow to the treated area. This helps to reduce stress and pain and quickens the healing process.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a therapy involving the physical application of pressure to the feet with the premise that massaging certain zones positively affects other areas of the body. A small study funded by the National Cancer Institute found that the ancient therapy may be an effective way to deal with cancer-related pain.
Tai Chi
People practice tai chi for various health-related purposes, such as:
- To improve physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility
- To ease pain and stiffness—for example, from osteoarthritis
- To improve sleep
- For overall wellness.
Herbs
Turmeric
White Willow Bark
California Poppy
Corydalis
Red Pepper
Noni Root
Kava / Kava Lactones
Updated 2024