The Role of Complementary Therapies in Neuroblastoma Treatment

The Role of Complementary Therapies in Neuroblastoma Treatment
Orson Bradshaw 28 June 2023 20 Comments

Understanding Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that primarily affects children, often before they reach the age of five. It starts in the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys, but it can spread to other areas such as the chest, abdomen, spine, and bones. Despite the advancements in medical science, the treatment for neuroblastoma can still be quite challenging. It typically involves a combination of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and sometimes stem cell transplantation.

The Need for Complementary Therapies

While conventional treatments are necessary to fight neuroblastoma, they often come with side effects that can significantly impact a child's quality of life. This is where complementary therapies come in. They don't aim to cure the disease on their own, but they play a crucial role in managing symptoms, alleviating side effects, and improving overall well-being. They can make a significant difference in the child's journey towards recovery.

Mind-Body Therapies

These therapies focus on the connection between the mind and the body, using techniques that promote relaxation and stress reduction. Examples include meditation, yoga, hypnosis, and guided imagery. They can provide a sense of control and calmness in what can be a very tumultuous time for the child and their family.

Nutritional Therapies

Good nutrition is critical for children undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma. Nutritional therapy aims to ensure the child receives all the essential nutrients they need, helps manage symptoms such as loss of appetite and nausea, and supports the body's healing processes. It often includes dietary changes, special meal plans, and sometimes nutritional supplements.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be very beneficial for children with neuroblastoma. It can help manage pain, reduce muscle tension, promote relaxation, and improve sleep. It should, however, be performed by a trained professional who is familiar with the needs and considerations of pediatric cancer patients.

Acupuncture and Acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure are traditional Chinese medicine practices that have been used for thousands of years. They are now gaining recognition in the West for their potential to manage symptoms and side effects in cancer patients, including those with neuroblastoma. They can help manage pain, nausea, and fatigue, among other things.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine involves the use of plants or plant extracts for their therapeutic properties. Some herbs have been found to have anti-cancer properties, while others can help manage side effects of conventional treatments. It's crucial, however, to talk to the healthcare team before starting any herbal medicine, as some can interact with conventional treatments.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses essential oils for their therapeutic properties. They can be inhaled, used in massage, or added to a bath. They can help manage symptoms such as anxiety, stress, nausea, and pain. As with all complementary therapies, it's crucial to use them under the guidance of a trained professional.

Music and Art Therapy

Music and art therapy provide a creative outlet for children undergoing treatment for neuroblastoma. They offer a way to express feelings and emotions that may be difficult to put into words. They can also promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mood. These therapies are usually provided by trained therapists who know how to adapt the activities to the child's age and condition.

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20 Comments

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    Jeff Hakojarvi

    June 28, 2023 AT 20:17
    I've seen this firsthand with my niece going through chemo. The yoga and guided imagery made her feel like she had some control when everything else felt chaotic. Not a cure, but it gave her peace. Small wins matter.
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    Timothy Uchechukwu

    June 29, 2023 AT 18:51
    Western medicine is all hype anyway why do we need these fancy massage and aromatherapy nonsense when real doctors know what to do
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    Ancel Fortuin

    July 1, 2023 AT 03:53
    Of course they're pushing this stuff. Big Pharma doesn't want you healing naturally. Acupuncture? Herbal remedies? They can't patent a root. They want you hooked on chemo forever. Ask yourself who profits.
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    Hannah Blower

    July 1, 2023 AT 21:38
    Honestly, this reads like a wellness blog masquerading as medical advice. Aromatherapy for pediatric cancer? That's not holistic-it's performative. If you're going to use essential oils, at least cite peer-reviewed trials, not Tandfonline abstracts from 2008. This is pseudoscience dressed in pastel colors.
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    Gregory Gonzalez

    July 2, 2023 AT 02:37
    I appreciate the effort, but calling this 'therapy' is a stretch. If your kid's nausea is so bad they need lavender oil, maybe the chemo protocol needs rethinking-not a diffuser.
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    Ronald Stenger

    July 2, 2023 AT 07:01
    Let's be real. The only 'complementary' thing here is the way the medical-industrial complex sells you $80 essential oils to make you feel better while they bill your insurance for another round of radiation. This is capitalism with a zen vibe.
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    Samkelo Bodwana

    July 2, 2023 AT 08:59
    I think there's value in all of this, but we have to be careful not to pit one against the other. Conventional treatment saves lives. Complementary practices help the soul. My cousin's daughter had neuroblastoma-she did chemo, yes, but also drew pictures every day with an art therapist. Those drawings became her way of saying 'I'm still here.' It didn't shrink the tumor, but it kept her human. And that matters more than we admit.
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    Emily Entwistle

    July 3, 2023 AT 01:52
    This is so important!! 💖 My cousin's kid did acupuncture and it cut her vomiting by half! 🙌 Don't knock it till you've tried it! 🌿✨
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    Duncan Prowel

    July 4, 2023 AT 08:30
    While anecdotal evidence suggests benefit, the empirical data supporting the efficacy of complementary modalities in neuroblastoma remains limited. I would urge clinicians to consider integrating these approaches only within the framework of rigorous, monitored clinical protocols-not as adjuncts to replace evidence-based interventions.
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    Bruce Bain

    July 5, 2023 AT 04:03
    I'm from the hood. We don't got time for all this fancy stuff. But if a massage helps a kid sleep? Do it. If a song helps them smile? Play it. Simple. No jargon. Just love.
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    Jonathan Gabriel

    July 6, 2023 AT 13:00
    I've been reading up on this for my nephew's treatment. The herbal stuff is tricky-some of it might interfere with chemo. I found one study where milk thistle helped liver detox but another said it blocked drug absorption. So yeah, talk to your oncologist before you start brewing tea from your backyard. And yes, I typoed 'oncologist' three times while typing this. My thumbs are tired.
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    Don Angel

    July 7, 2023 AT 01:46
    I think this is really thoughtful. But I just want to say-please, please, please-don't let anyone pressure you into anything. If it feels right, try it. If it feels weird, skip it. No guilt. No pressure. Just gentle choices.
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    benedict nwokedi

    July 7, 2023 AT 03:24
    Aromatherapy? Seriously? This is what happens when you let influencers run hospitals. The FDA doesn't regulate essential oils because they're 'natural'-but they're not safe. One drop of eucalyptus oil near a child's airway can cause seizures. This isn't holistic-it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.
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    deepak kumar

    July 8, 2023 AT 06:32
    In India, we've used turmeric and ginger for centuries for inflammation and nausea. My aunt's son had neuroblastoma-he took turmeric with black pepper and honey daily. It didn't cure him, but it helped him keep his weight. Always talk to your doctor, but don't dismiss what's been used for generations.
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    Dave Pritchard

    July 9, 2023 AT 01:15
    If you're reading this and your kid is going through this, you're already doing better than you think. You're here, you're learning, you're trying. That's enough. Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not doing enough. You're doing great.
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    kim pu

    July 9, 2023 AT 04:41
    So we're just gonna let grandma's herbal tea be the new chemo? Lmao. Next they'll say yoga fixes metastasis. I mean, sure, if you're into vibes over virology. 🤡
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    malik recoba

    July 10, 2023 AT 17:47
    My little brother had neuroblastoma. We did all the meds, the surgery, the transplant. But every night, we'd sit with him and play his favorite cartoon while I rubbed his feet. He'd fall asleep smiling. That wasn't medicine. But it was healing. And I'll never regret it.
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    Sarbjit Singh

    July 11, 2023 AT 05:42
    This is beautiful! 🙏 In our village, we use chanting and warm oil massages for kids with pain. Not magic, but love. And love is powerful. Keep sharing this! 💪
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    Angela J

    July 11, 2023 AT 16:35
    I know what they're not telling you. The FDA banned most of these therapies because they work too well. They're scared. They're hiding the truth. I read a secret document once-there's a whole list of herbs that kill cancer cells. They don't want you to know. Don't trust the system.
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    Sameer Tawde

    July 11, 2023 AT 22:38
    You got this. Every small step counts. Even just holding their hand. You're not alone.

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