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Energy Therapies
Energy healing, also referred to as energy therapy, is a “form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of energy healing is to balance the energy flow in the patient. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety and promote well-being. Energy healing is being studied in patients receiving cancer therapy, to find out if it can improve quality of life, boost the immune system, or reduce side effects.”
Popular types of energy therapy include Reiki, acupressure and acupressure mats.
“Reiki practitioners believe that improving the flow of energy around the body can: enable relaxation, relieve pain, speed healing and reduce other symptoms of illness.”
“A Reiki session involves the healer placing their cupped hands lightly on or near the recipient’s body. Usually, the practitioner keeps their hands in one area for a minimum of three minutes, depending on the person’s needs.”
“Acupressure therapy is similar to acupuncture, but acupressure mats do not contain needles or puncture the skin. As with acupuncture, acupressure involves stimulating pressure points near the body’s meridian or energy lines to allow chi (Qi), or energy, to flow freely.”
“Acupressure is another form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) similar to acupuncture. Instead of needles, the technique uses manual pressure to stimulate acupoints, so that “qi,” or the body’s energy,” can move freely. A person can do this on their own or with a practitioner.”
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/energy-healing
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308772#definition
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LifeSpark Cancer Resources
355 South Teller Street #200
Lakewood, CO 80226
303-425-5670
Email: https://lifesparknow.org/who-we-are/contact-us-2/
“LifeSpark Cancer Resources is a non-profit volunteer service organization that uses Reiki and Healing Touch therapies to bring peace and healing to cancer patients and their caregivers. LifeSpark serves individuals with cancer and the oncology medical community through education, training, advocacy, and delivery of hands-on and remote sessions.  Our core values include compassion, integrity, service, professionalism, and respect.”
LifeSpark’s Vision is:
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To serve those with cancer and their caregivers by offering healing, comfort, and support.
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To serve the medical community in supporting a holistic model of care.
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To raise the standards of professionalism among energy-based therapists, and foster cooperation and respect between modalities.
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To create a climate of mutual respect between medical and energy-based professionals.
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International Association of Reiki Practitioners - IARP
“Research on Reiki for oncology patients has received increased interest lately and the topic has been on researchers’ minds for at least the past 25 years. There have been an increasing number of studies published in recent years.”
https://iarp.org/reiki-and-cancer-research/
“IARP Members are part of the global organization comprised of the most prominent and skilled Reiki Practitioners and Teachers on the planet. IARP is the gold standard of Reiki.”
https://iarp.org/find-reiki-practitioner-teacher/
hthttps://cam.cancer.gov/health_information/highlights/acupressure_fatigue.htm
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ACUPRESSURE
“A small pilot study assessed the potential effects of self-administered acupressure for the reduction of persistent cancer-related fatigue (PCRF) symptoms. Acupressure is a technique derived from acupuncture, which is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves using physical force applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices, with the intent of treating a disease or reducing symptoms.”
https://cam.cancer.gov/health_information/highlights/acupressure_fatigue.htm
Although the evidence is still preliminary, the following studies support the idea that non-invasive acupressure may be of value in treating the side effects of traditional gynecologic cancer treatments.
“Auricular acupressure can reduce adverse side effects of chemotherapy in women with ovarian cancer. Future studies with a larger sample and using some laboratory-based tests (such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-6) are warranted to confirm the results.”
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-019-04682-8
“Women with gynecologic cancer treated with acupressure during a first course of chemotherapy maintained hemoglobin concentrations in a small study.”
“Preliminary evidence of better hemoglobin concentrations during chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer among women treated with acupressure.” Specifically, in a small study, women with gynecologic cancer treated with acupressure three times per day for six weeks during a first course of chemotherapy maintained hemoglobin concentrations while patients in a small randomly control group saw decreased levels.
How can acupressure help you? What the research says - CancerChoices