Palliative care for an incurable, progressive disease places enormous demands on medical professionals, relatives and, above all, the person affected. Specialists have the task of providing comprehensive information about the disease and treatment options, and of observing ethical boundaries during therapy. Those affected, on the other hand, are overwhelmed by fear and helplessness – especially in the case of diseases that suddenly come into their lives, such as incurable tumor diseases. In addition, the sometimes severe side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy put a strain on both the body and the psyche.
It is therefore understandable that many patients – and often also their relatives – are looking for therapy methods outside the realm of “conventional medicine”, i.e. scientifically founded (evidence-based) medicine.
Alternative and complementary therapies
However, most patients do not turn away from conventional medicine at all, but rather want to try other forms of therapy in addition. These are known as complementary therapies. Their effectiveness is also often not sufficiently proven scientifically. However, many years of good experience with such methods speak in favor of their use.
A combination of classical (orthodox) and complementary therapy methods can therefore be quite useful. Interested patients should definitely talk to their attending physician. He can work out a suitable combined treatment concept – if necessary, together with a specialist who is familiar not only with conventional medicine but also with complementary medicine. Because although complementary methods are mostly gentle procedures, there can sometimes be a risk of serious side effects.
Alleviating complaints with complementary therapies
Complementary methods can be used to supplement conventional medical treatment in order to alleviate such complaints (in consultation with the attending physician). The following are examples of complementary methods that may be helpful in individual cases:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): acupuncture, a branch of TCM, helps relieve pain, sleep disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Qigong, Tai Chi, and acupressure also improve quality of life in some patients.
- Phytotherapy: Some medicinal plants stimulate appetite, others soothe inflamed oral mucous membranes, still others help against weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders or depressive mood. Caution: Some medicinal herbs can influence the effect of medicines (e.g. St. John’s wort) or have serious side effects!
- Complementary methods can be used to supplement conventional medical treatment in order to alleviate such complaints (in consultation with the attending physician). The following are examples of complementary methods that may be helpful in individual cases:
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): acupuncture, a branch of TCM, helps relieve pain, sleep disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Qigong, Tai Chi, and acupressure also improve quality of life in some patients.
- Phytotherapy: Some medicinal plants stimulate appetite, others soothe inflamed oral mucous membranes, still others help against weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleep disorders or depressive mood. Caution: Some medicinal herbs can influence the effect of medicines (e.g. St. John’s wort) or have serious side effects!
- Laughter therapy: Laughter as therapy can open up reserves of strength, promote emotional and mental abilities, and possibly reduce pain. Even without scientifically supported evidence, humor is very healthy in the palliative phase.
- Art and music therapy: creativity can help with distressing emotions such as anxiety. The same applies to music, especially one’s own favorite music. It is perceived for a very long time by dying patients, for example, and improves their emotional state.
- Occupational therapy and logotherapy: With the help of these therapies, mental and motor reserves can be promoted. The exercises also help against swallowing disorders, an altered sense of taste or malnutrition.
- Touch therapy: Stroking the skin, regularly changing the position of the body, massages or placing objects in the patient’s hands promote well-being, often also in the dying phase.
Beware of promises of healing
Taking away the fear of dying
The palliative care physician’s task also includes informing the patient when conventional medical treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy or long-term ventilation are no longer useful. Medications or gentle therapies then help to alleviate complaints such as pain or anxiety. Lastly, the senses of touch, sight, hearing and smell remain. Gentle caresses, beloved paintings or photographs within sight, pleasant music and natural room scents create a dignified setting for dying, which is as much a part of life as birth.
