c9b9c38026c32c3bcc63be782c97bffa.gif

Complementary Medicine Helps Patients with Cancer Reduce Stress

About a week before she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2004, Martha Watson attended her first yoga class.

“I actually went to it by mistake at the same place I took Pilates,” Watson says.
That mistake must have been fate because the Hillsborough resident is now a certified yoga instructor and leads the gentle yoga classes held at The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center.
The yoga classes are just one part of the cancer center’s Complementary Medicine Program for patients with cancer, their families and caregivers. Other offerings include Reiki, massage, relaxation and meditation, mind-body wellness, women’s cancer support group and new patient orientation. All classes are led by certified professionals and aim to improve quality of life for those with cancer or those whose lives are affected by the disease.
“Treatment isn’t just about healing the body,” says Tracey Musarra, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker at The Steeplechase Cancer Center who leads the mind-body wellness and the relaxation and meditation classes. “What we think and how we feel truly do affect our health.”
Studies show that stress, anger and depression can contribute to the development or severity of a disease or infection. While traditional health care treats the illness, complementary medicine helps heal the whole person. Research also indicates that the use of complementary medicine leads to reduced reliance on medication, reduced instances of surgery and reduced hospital stays. Practicing complementary medicine techniques can bolster the immune system and help the body resist future infections. Additionally, complementary medicine empowers participants.
“People feel like they’re taking control of their health because they’re taking a more active role in their care,” says Katrina Losa, RN, director of cancer services at The Steeplechase Cancer Center.
Complementary medicine may help combat some of the side effects of cancer treatment.
“Yoga really helped me get through my treatment – biopsies, recovering from surgery,” Watson recalls. “Yoga enhances overall stretching and flexibility. If you’re physically uncomfortable from treatment or emotionally uncomfortable from a hard day, yoga will help you let that go.”
Reiki, a gentle Japanese technique of laying one’s hands on or near a patient, also promotes relaxation, a sense of well-being and brings energy into the body.
“Doing Reiki is very relaxing,” adds Carolyn Simms, a Reiki practitioner who leads the program at the cancer center. “It helps reduce nausea from chemotherapy.” Furthermore, a current study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute will evaluate the effect of massage in treating cancer-related fatigue.
The Mind-Body Wellness classes introduce participants to the holistic healing approach and teach participants quick tips for relaxation they can use throughout their day. New Patient Orientation, which is held the third Thursday of every month, introduces patients to the facility, explains what will happen throughout their treatment and informs them about services they can access both at The Steeplechase Cancer Center and at Somerset Medical Center.
“This can be a harrowing time in a person’s life,” Losa says. “We want to be as clear, open, understanding and caring as possible. Although we can’t completely erase the fear that comes with a diagnosis of cancer, we can work to reduce the anxiety and trauma that is often associated with its treatment.”
For more information about complementary medicine classes at The Steeplechase Cancer Center or to register for a class, call 908-927-8721 or visit our online Calendar of Events.
–Amy S. Bobrowski