hypnotherapy
qigong
yoga
guided imagery
yoga
hypnotherapy
qigong
Complementary Care Toolkit
Metastatic Breast Cancer
During guided imagery, a therapist helps you picture a
calming scene, like the beach. You take in the scene with all five senses: see the ocean lapping at the shore, feel the warm sun on your cheeks, taste the salty air, smell the briny ocean, and hear the seagulls cawing.
Guided imagery may improve anxiety, depression, and mood
in people with breast cancer. A study from 2020 also showed
it may be helpful for relieving pain in those who were having surgery.
guided imagery
In this practice, a guide puts you into a state of deep focus using hypnosis. In this state, you become more willing to
accept suggestions that encourage a positive mindset.
A 2021 review of complementary therapies for cancer found hypnotherapy helpful for improving pain and sleep and reducing fatigue. In one small study, this practice reduced anxiety and distress and improved self-esteem and optimism
in people with breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy.
Qigong is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that
combines slow, gentle movements with deep breathing
to improve physical and mental health. Tai chi is just one
of many qigong types.
A 2021 meta-analysis of 17 studies found that doing qigong
five times per week for 3 months improved quality of life and reduced depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer.
Ask your doctor before trying qigong if you’ve recently had chemotherapy and feel weak.
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines strengthening, deep breathing, and meditation.
A 2017 review found yoga helped with fatigue, sleep, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in people with
breast cancer.
Check with your doctor before trying yoga. You may need
to modify or avoid certain poses, like twists, backbends,
and forward bends, or take extra steps to prevent injury or discomfort if the cancer has spread to the bones, lungs, or liver.
