Complementary therapies are increasingly offered alongside conventional cancer care in hospitals, hospices, and specialist clinics. They are also widely available through charities and trained independent practitioners.
I believe supportive care extends beyond skincare. Many people find that complementary therapies can play an important role in helping them feel more grounded, supported, and connected to their wellbeing throughout treatment.
These therapies are not designed to replace medical treatment, but to offer support for physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life during and after treatment.
For many people, they provide a gentle way to help manage the side effects of cancer treatment and create moments of calm and restoration.
What are complementary therapies?
Complementary therapies include a range of supportive practices that work alongside medical care. They focus on the wellbeing of the whole person — body and mind — during a physically and emotionally demanding time.
Common therapies include massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and acupuncture.
Research suggests these therapies may help ease symptoms such as stress, anxiety, fatigue, pain, and sleep disruption for some people undergoing cancer treatment.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy uses gentle techniques to relax muscles, ease tension, and support a sense of calm.
For people affected by cancer, massage is adapted to suit sensitive needs. Lighter techniques are used, and therapists with oncology training can adjust pressure and positioning for comfort and safety.
Potential benefits may include:
- Supporting relaxation and reducing tension
- Helping ease stress and anxiety
- Supporting improved sleep and rest
Massage should always be carried out by a therapist trained in cancer or clinical massage care.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, often in the form of essential oils, to support relaxation and wellbeing.
When used carefully, particularly in massage or inhalation, certain aromas may help create a sense of calm and comfort.
Commonly used oils include lavender, chamomile, and other gentle botanical extracts.
Potential benefits may include:
- Supporting relaxation
- Helping ease feelings of stress or anxiety
- Supporting rest and sleep routines
Reflexology
Reflexology involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet or hands.
It is based on the principle that these points relate to different areas of the body, and that stimulation may support relaxation and wellbeing.
Potential benefits may include:
- Supporting relaxation and comfort
- Helping some people manage treatment-related symptoms
- Encouraging a sense of balance and wellbeing
Some studies have explored reflexology as a supportive therapy for people undergoing cancer treatment, particularly in relation to stress and symptom relief.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that uses very fine needles placed at specific points on the body.
It is used in some supportive care settings to help manage symptoms and support wellbeing during cancer treatment.
Potential benefits may include:
- Supporting fatigue management
- Helping reduce discomfort or pain in some individuals
- Supporting emotional wellbeing
Evidence suggests acupuncture may be helpful for certain treatment-related symptoms when delivered by trained practitioners.
The role of complementary therapies in cancer care
Complementary therapies are not a replacement for medical treatment, but they may offer valuable support alongside it.
For many people, they provide:
- moments of calm
- physical relaxation
- emotional support
- improved sense of wellbeing
When used as part of a wider care approach, they can help create space for rest and comfort during a challenging time.
I believe that how we support ourselves during treatment matters. Skincare is one part of that, but so is the way we engage with rest, comfort, and wider wellbeing practices such as complementary therapies.
These approaches can offer space to pause, reconnect, and feel supported through a physically and emotionally demanding time.
REFERENCES
[1] Toth, M., Marcantonio, E. R., Davis, R. B., Walton, T., Kahn, J. R., & Phillips, R. S. (2013). Massage therapy for patients with metastatic cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(7), 650-656.
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[2] Zorba, P., & Ozdemir, L. (2018). The preliminary effects of massage and inhalation aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting: a quasi-randomized controlled pilot trial. Cancer nursing, 41(5), 359-366.
[3] Kurt, S., & Can, G. (2018). Reflexology in the management of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy: a pilot randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 32, 12-19.
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[4] Milligan, M., Fanning, M., Hunter, S., Tadjali, M., & Stevens, E. (2002). Reflexology audit: patient satisfaction, impact on quality of life and availability in Scottish hospices. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 8(10), 489-496.
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[5] Zhang, Y., Lin, L., Li, H., Hu, Y., & Tian, L. (2018). Effects of acupuncture on cancer-related fatigue: a meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26, 415-425.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-017-3955-6
[6] Miller, K. R., Patel, J. N., Symanowski, J. T., Edelen, C. A., & Walsh, D. (2019). Acupuncture for cancer pain and symptom management in a palliative medicine clinic. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 36(4), 326-332.
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