Meditation
Meditation is another therapy used by many people, including those who are not facing a cancer diagnosis. However, it is believed meditation can be an extraordinarily helpful tool in terms of relaxation and general well being for cancer patients. Meditation is considered a palliative treatment, in that it doesn't treat the underlying disease but may be helpful in making a patient facing a cancer diagnosis feel more comfortable. Patients facing a particularly challenging diagnosis, such as mesothelioma, may benefit greatly from the comfort and peace of mind that meditation can offer.
Alternative therapies are typically based on belief structures that are generally foreign to the United States. Many of these models originate in the Far East and meditation is one of such ideas. Meditation can be found in even the very ancient histories of China, India, Tibet, and Japan. Like many Eastern ideas, the practice was first embraced in the United States in the 1960s by the counter culture movement of the generation. In terms of collaboration with traditional treatments for cancer began in the 1980's.
Meditation is defined roughly as "an intentional self-regulation of focus", which can mean a number of different techniques. Some find solace in the repetition of phrases or the envisioning of utopia scenarios. For cancer patients however, the more popular is a simple detachment from distraction and sounds which may disturb the person from reaching their desired state, which is usually some sense of self reflection. Some forms of meditation, such as tai chi or yoga will integrate some stretching and activity into a meditative state for a more holistic bodily experience.
Meditation is not right for everyone, but can be extremely useful for patients of terminal and non terminal cancers. In one respect, the meditative state requires a suspension of anxiety and some effort to buy into the access to a higher reflective state, which is not possible for everyone. On the other hand, for those who are suffering from certain cancers, meditation can provide them with a deep self reflection that may get lost in a complicated life that is now full of treatment cycles, doctors, and hospitals. Like any treatment, it's not right for everybody but provides a certain palliative benefit for those who enjoy it. If patients wish to engage in active meditation such as tai chi or yoga, it is important they discuss this with their physician to ensure that their body is healthy enough to engage in this type of activity.
