IM combines standard medicine (such as surgery, chemotherapy, drug therapy and radiation therapy) with safe and effective complementary therapies. Complementary therapies dont replace your cancer treatment or care; they supplementyour care by boosting well-being without interfering with standard treatments. Examples of complementarytherapies are therapeutic massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, art therapy and music therapy.

By integrating complementary therapies into conventional treatment plans, healthcare providers are better able to address the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of their patients.

Cancer patients may suffer from physical and emotional distress due to their disease or its treatment. Many patients are turning to integrative medicine (IM) to

Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of IM. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) and the National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) support research that holds complementary therapies to the same rigorous scientific standards used to evaluate medical treatments. Researchers work to determine which treatments are effective and safe.

Never begin a complementarytreatment without speaking with your oncologist first and getting his or her approval. Some unproven therapies might not be safe or effective and put your health and recovery at risk.

A growing number of people are turning to complementary therapies as a way to help manage symptoms, reduce side effects, and restore and promote a sense of control and vitality. Roughly two out of three cancer patients have tried at least one complementary therapy as part of their cancer care.

Existing scientific evidence has found that certain complementary therapies may alleviate cancer-related symptoms and treatment side effects such as nausea and fatigue. For example, acupuncture has been evaluated in a number of studies and is now recognized as a safe method for managing chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting, and it is effective for some patients. Many complementary therapies are gentle, relaxing and minimally invasive and provide ways for patients to develop an appreciation of themselves and an awareness of their inner strength. Some techniques are passive, requiring limited participation such as massage and aromatherapy, while others are active such as yoga and tai chi.

Clinical trialsto study various complementary therapies are underway in many locations across the country to assess their safety, benefits, dosing and relative effectiveness. Patients enrolled in complementary studies receive the best standard cancer treatment either with or without the complementary therapies in question.

If you'd like to know more about complementaryclinical trials, speak with your doctor or contact one of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society'sInformation Specialistsat(800) 955-4572.

Some health insurance companies have started covering certain types of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture or chiropractic care. Check with your insurance provider to find out about your coverage.

If you are looking for a complementary health practitioner for treatment, it is important to conduct a careful and thorough search. Here are some suggestions to help in your search for a practitioner:

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