Patients often share the fine line they walk when undergoing the most physically and emotionally challenging period of their lives during the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Their worlds are weighted by caring family and friends, new techniques, and hope on one side while their symptoms of doubt, fear, and uncertainty of treatment tugs on the other. Balancing becomes a full-time job.

Our bodies are amazing in the way trillions of cells are made and distributed throughout a complex network of systems. Normal cells grow, reproduce, and die in response to internal and external signals from our body. When normal cells mutate or change into cancer cells, then the problem begins.

At FirstHealth of Andover, your complementary health practitioners have compiled several therapies to assist your body and mind during the challenging days ahead. We work in concert with your physicians, sharing information and insights. What we do is not really alternative since so many patients are choosing to use these therapies in conjunction with their conventional medical treatments. We complement the care that is already being given by adding treatments that are designed to reduce side-effects and aid your body and mind in staying strong.

Prior to surgery or chemotherapy we help you prepare with the most appropriate therapies, which may include special massage techniques that our therapists are trained in, acupuncture, meditation, or herbs to build your health and strengthen your immune system.

The massage treatment for pre-operative phase includes preparation of soft tissue for surgery utilizing, myofacial release, stretching, and range of motion exercises. Swedish massage serves to relieve pre-op stress and to help prepare mentally. Patients have reported less traumatic experiences with surgery and quicker recovery time.

Following surgery our team is activated to help you maximize your bodies ability to heal. We have been able to make significant changes in postoperative recovery times and regaining strength and flexibility. Massage, myofascial release, scar tissue management are used for incision sites and surrounding tissue. Active isolated stretch and range of motion exercises are effective in reorganizing flexibility and minimizing further scarring. Post-operative phase-office care includes instruction in strength training and home self-care techniques to assist in reintegration into active lifestyles with sound knowledge, support, and guidance.

During chemotherapy, acupuncture is used to help reduce chemo induced nausea or vomiting. This is one area that is recognized by the National Institutes of Health as being effective. We have used non-needle bio and electro acupuncture techniques to reduce pain and the swelling of lymphoedema. Good nutrition is also important. Patient consults can be made to assess you individual needs. Home treatments using special bio-magnets are also prescribed so that your progress continues. Homeopathy can be used during any phase of treatment to lessen side effects or help treat any underlying conditions such as anxiety or depression. Since it is highly diluted, there is no concern for interaction with other conventional medications.

Following treatments personal training is used to regain strength, endurance and flexibility. Chinese Herbal Medicine can be prescribed to help you regain your health and build up following the often-depleting effects of chemotherapy treatment.

The most important issue for us is to find the ways to help you retain as much dignity and normalcy during a process that can be challenging on many levels. We are encouraged by what patients have experienced so far and wish that this message of hope reaches the ones that need it the most. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions that you may have about our cancer care programs.