Complementary therapies, while not given the attention that more traditional cancer therapies may receive, are perhaps equally important while undergoing treatment for certain types of cancer. Patients diagnosed with difficult to treat malignancies will often use these types of therapies in conjunction with traditional surgical, chemotherapeutic, or radiology techniques to form a more comprehensive and effective treatment regimen. Among the most important and effective alternative therapies utilized by those diagnosed with cancer is hypnotherapy.

Hypnotherapy has been used for many years in clinical settings. Hypnotherapy’s role in cancer management however, is relatively new and indications are that its utilization has not been fully maximized yet. Effective cancer treatment often depends on the patient’s ability to not only defeat the cancer through treatments but also to maintain their health and mental spirit throughout the painful side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Often, the symptoms and effects of the cancer itself on the body are negligible compared to the pain and other side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. This is where acupuncture has been said to be most effective. Cancers such as mesothelioma, which are often unable to be removed by surgical means, are often treated with some combination of chemotherapy and radiation. While these potent therapies can be effective in eliminating some of the tumor mass and growth, they also profoundly affect the health of the surrounding tissue. Symptoms of these effects including fever, nausea, and general pain have been dramatically reduced through the utilization of hypnosis. Patients, who are able to withstand these symptoms and recover quickly, will often be able to be more aggressively treated, increasing the efficacy of the treatment regimen as a whole. Some specific hypnotherapy techniques utilized in pain management include altering the neurophysical configuration of pain, control of anticipatory anxiety, and targeted imagery.

Hypnotherapy techniques may not be appropriate for all patient’s pain and individual symptoms but it’s certainly worth exploring as it can do very little harm in experimenting with integrative therapies. The goal with alternative therapies, as with traditional mesothelioma treatments, is always to increase the effectiveness of treatment as a whole. If hypnotherapy can assist in any way in helping patients recover or manage symptoms of chemotherapy or radiation, then it will have contributed to the treatment regimens overall efficacy and should certainly be utilized.

References

Erickson MH: Hypnosis in painful terminal illness, in Haley J (ed): Advanced Techniques of Hypnosis and Therapy: Selected Papers of Milton Erickson, MD. New York, Crune & Stratton, 1967.

Sunnen, Gerard M.D. , Hypnotic Approaches in the Cancer Patient Ozonics International, LLC

Oh, what a year it has been! 2009 began with an opportunity to develop and implement weekly group guided Imagery programs for elders residing within longterm & transitional care facilities. Activity departments were re-named Integrative Personal Services departments to offer integrative services for residents.

I was so motivated and excited to serve the community with such a valuable and sorely needed program! The biggest challenge, though, was how to encourage elders to participate and engage in the process? How many elders would even know what Imagery was? I am fortunate to have support from caring staff members. They have helped by learning about the use of Imagery and identifying residents who would be good candidates to experience the process. They encourage participation and bring residents into beautiful living room areas where the sessions are held. Some residents will come once and decide that it’s not for them. Others take an interest and come weekly – with some participating for 11 months now.

I’ve noticed that residents who attend regularly have increased their sensory abilities and are sharing their experiences with their loved ones. So many are concerned about their family and want to help them cope. Some are using Imagery techniques to sleep at night, others to manage discomfort within their bodies.

I use visual tools, such as posters, with natural settings. Weekly topics include the Healing properties of nature such as light, color, water and sound. The use of tools and nature topics really helps participants shift their focus and remember joyful, meaningful experiences in their lives. Some become very absorbed in this Healing, sensory process and share personal experiences that they then use during the Imagery process. Some residents are visually impaired; however, their inner abilities to activate their Imagination can be very strong.  CDs are available to residents for personal use, although regular use is a challenge. Sometimes it’s difficult to know how engaged a person is with the Imagery process. I have been surprised by comments that I didn’t expect. A woman who had attended every week, seemingly disconnected, showed up one day explaining to me that she would be undergoing surgery the following week and had told her doctor about attending the sessions. She asked me if I had any advice that would help her Heal from her surgery.  I gave her one of my pre/post surgery CDs.  The staff helped set it up for her, the surgery was successful, her wound began to Heal and she was back with the group within 2 weeks.

Another participant had difficulty breathing and was on oxygen. I showed her a technique, called hand breathing, which she indicated helped her. I didn’t see her again for about 2 months.

One day she was there despite being very ill. A caring staff member had encouraged her to come, hoping that it would help her. She said that she had been too ill to do her hand breathing. I asked her, instead, to stay focused on the picture that I brought that day a lighthouse on a beautiful coast. She listened as I talked and guided the group through the Imagery process, staring intently at the picture. At the session’s end, I noticed that she was still focused on the picture. As participants were leaving, she told me how much better she felt after the Imagery. She asked how that could happen in such a short time. She needed further medical treatment later, yet on that day, she received some relief and Healing. Since that time, she has attended the group regularly.

I recall many stories such as this as I reflect upon the effectiveness of the program and how it brings comfort and Healing to elders experiencing discomfort, anxiety and sadness. Several participants have passed on and I can only hope that they received some sense of peace and Healing, even if it was just for one day.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the challenges that take up your time on a day-to-day basis? Do you like the idea of implementing a few coping strategies to deal with daily stressors, but never really motivate yourself to actually do anything? People often comment that they just don’t have the time or are too busy taking care of others to focus on self-care. Maybe it is simply a matter of  “I resist” because of so many other responsibilities.

I’m asking you to consider incorporating a very quick, easy-touse coping strategy. It doesn’t matter where you are; you can begin by letting yourself breathe deeper a few times throughout your day. It really is easier than what you may think and doesn’t cost anything. You could decide to take 8 or 10 full, deep breaths while at your workplace, walking, taking a shower, or while reading this article.

Go ahead! Let yourself breathe. If you wish, place your hand on your belly to help you stay focused. Take a full, comfortable breath for 3 seconds….hold the breath for a moment…and then exhale about 6 seconds. Think of a word or phrase such as “calm” as you breathe. Your mind-body naturally benefits and when you allow yourself to stay with it for as little as 3 minutes. The relaxation response is triggered. Science tells us that the relaxation response, a term coined by Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard’s Mind/Body Medical Institute, reverses physical symptoms of the fight or flight stress response.

Build upon the habit of focused breathing. Your breath can naturally slow after a few cleansing breaths. Over time, the goal is to allow yourself to build a foundation of quiet time/meditation so that you can eventually do this for 10-20 minutes before starting your day. You can begin the process with eyes open or closed. If eyes are open, find an object or picture to use as a focal point. If possible, do this at the same time and place daily. Your subconscious mind picks up the pattern and you will find it easier to drift into a quiet, centered state.

Daily practice can build your confidence. You really do have the innate ability to cope with daily stressors. Let yourself take these simple baby steps that can eventually lead to positive self-care.

Stress. One doesn’t have to search too far to find volumes of information about what stress is, how stressed our society has become, how it affects our bodies, our lives, and our occupations. As healthcare administrators, a “new normal” of chronic pressure, high performance demands, fast pace, and organizational change is widely acknowledged. Statistics indicate that:

• 80% of American workers say that they have experienced stress-related problems.
• Those working in the education and health services industry experience higher than average levels of stress.
• 51% of employees say they frequently feel physically or emotionally drained at the end of the workday.(1)

What is far from normal are the documented costs of stress. One million workers are absent with stress-related illness every day, costing American employers about $300 billion per year. (1)Chronic levels of stress affect performance, cause burnout, reduce patient service, lower morale, and increase medical and disability costs. How does one remain healthy and productive while living in a stressful, pressurized environment? One’s attitude and habits while dealing with daily life can either restrict and narrow or broaden and expand the ability to cope.

Building Resilience

Resilience is the ability to adapt well to stress, adversity, trauma, or tragedy. It is the ability to bounce back from negative experiences and the flexibility to adapt to the changing demands of stressful experiences. (2)Resilient individuals are curious and open to new experiences and proactively cultivate positive emotions through the use of humor, relaxation techniques, and optimistic thinking. Resilience can give a person the ability to see beyond problems, find enjoyment in life, and handle future stressors more effectively. People who are more resilient have the ability to say to themselves, “Okay, this bad thing happened and I can either dwell on it or I can learn from it.” While some individuals are more resilient than others, it is a skill that can be learned and cultivated. Developing positive patterns for dealing with stress can create a higher level of well-being physically and emotionally. See “Tips to Build Resilience” at the end of this article.

Challenge Automatic,Negative Thinking

Because we are habitual beings, a person develops patterns that become the fabric of one’s life based upon life experience. If you recognize that you fall into negative thinking patterns that are no longer useful, your next step is to examine specific thoughts. Do your automatic thoughts have a pattern? Do they consistently exaggerate or distort a situation? Do you usually blame yourself? If your answer is “yes,” you are experiencing negative thoughts. The next time you are in a stressful situation, such as a traffic jam or a conflict at work and feel ready to explode, try the following. Stop. Breathe. Release physical tension. Reflect. Ask yourself: Does this thought contribute to my stress? Where did I learn this thought? Is it logical? What is a more helpful, realistic response? Over time you can learn to identify negative, stressful patterns of thinking and hardwire yourself for resilience.

Mind-Body Coping Strategies

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of science that studies the interaction between one’s perception of the world around them, behavior, brain function, and immune system. It addresses the complex bidirectional interactions of the central nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system in relation to various stressors. Researchers are discovering an interconnectedness of thought, belief, image, and biochemistry through neuropathways. (3) Thoughts can create a negative stress cycle that flows in 2 directions. For example, a headache can affect mood and then, in turn, influence your thoughts: ie, “I won’t be able to get through`the day if I don’t feel better soon.”Or, focusing on negative thoughts can affect your mood and then lead to a headache. Researchers are using strategies such as mind-body interventions to modulate immune function and impact physiologic resilience. (3) The ongoing evidence from these interventions is promising. As of 2001, mind-body interventions has been classified as one of the major categories in a 5 category system of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).Among the interventions constituting mind-body are focused relaxation, meditation, guided imagery, prayer, self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi. The use of mind-body interventions teaches a person to take control of his life and how to use personal, positive resources to reduce stress, negative behaviors, and thoughts. This helps to maintain or regain health and resilience.

Benson’s Relaxation Response

The relaxation response is a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress (by decreasing heart rate, blood pressure, rate of breathing, and muscle tension). Herbert Benson, MD, founder of the Mind/Body Institute at Harvard Medical School, coined the term “relaxation response.” Science tells us that the relaxation response reverses the symptoms of the stress response (increased heart rate, blood pressure, rate of breathing, and muscle tension) in as little as 3 minutes by changing thought patterns. (4) The relaxation response can be elicited by a variety of techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, repetition of a calming word or phrase, tai chi, meditation, and even knitting. When eliciting the relaxation response:

• Your metabolism decreases
• Your heart beats slower and your muscles relax
• Your breathing becomes slower
• Your blood pressure decreases
• Your levels of nitric oxide are increased

If practiced regularly, it can have lasting effects.

A Simple Step: Focused Breathing

Let yourself begin by incorporating a strategy that is easy. Breathe deeper a few times throughout the day. You can incorporate your 8–10 full, comfortable breaths while at your workplace, walking, or taking a shower. Try it now, while reading this article. Feel your breath. See if you can take in a full, comfortable breath for 3 seconds . . . hold the breath for 3 seconds . . . and then exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat 8–10 times. Pay attention to your body. Breathe into any tense, tight muscles. Think of a word such as “calm” as you breathe. Your mind-body naturally benefits and, when you allow yourself to stay with it for as little as 3 minutes, the relaxation response is triggered.

Conclusion

Resilience is a skill that can be learned and cultivated by developing positive patterns for dealing with a stressful lifestyle. Incorporating mind-body strategies can reverse symptoms of the stress response in as little as 3 minutes. Regular use of these strategies can have lasting effects. As a healthcare administrator, building resilience can positively affect your well-being, as well as those within your daily environment. Mind-body strategies are intended to compliment your healthcare regimen, not replace.

Tips to Build Resilience

• Ask yourself the following:What is meaningful in my life now? How can I be more compassionate toward myself? What actions can I take to expand what brings me joy?
• Get connected. Build strong, positive relationships with family and friends.
• Use humor and laughter. Humor is a helpful coping mechanism. If you can’t find humor in a particular situation,turn to other sources, such as a funny movie or book, for a laugh.
• Accept and anticipate change. Be flexible.Try not to be so rigid. Expecting changes to occur makes it easier to adapt,tolerate, and even welcome.
• Take care of yourself. Tend to your own needs emotionally and physically. Learn and move on from past mistakes. It’s not selfish.It positively affects everyone within your environment.
• Listen to self-talk.Change and heal those thoughts and emotions that create stress.

References

(1) American Psychological Association (APA).  Stress in America survey.  APA:Washington, DC; 2007.

(2) Tugade MM, Fredrickson BL.Resilient individuals use positive emotions to bounce back from negative emotional experiences. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2004;86(2):320–333.

(3) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site.  Available at: http://www.nccam.nih.gov.Accessed March 12, 2008.

(4) Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine Web site. Available at: http://www.mbmi.org.  Accessed March 12,2008.

Focused Relaxation:

The purpose of Focused Relaxation is to help one re-connect with his/her inner self in order to alleviate stress and anxiety. How one perceives life and circumstances greatly affects stress levels, which in time can affect well-being. The cumulative effects of focused relaxation can counter the effects of stressful living, creating a healthy equilibrium. Focused Relaxation places awareness in the now and involves inner skills such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing. People emerge from Focused Relaxation with clearer minds and sharper thoughts. Life Path is also explored.

Guided Imagery and Hypnotherapy can also be incorporated into Focused Relaxation.

Guided Imagery is a proven form of focused relaxation that helps create harmony within the body, mind and spirit. For example, if one focuses on a peaceful place, such as a beach, he/she can activate sensory memories so that the mind thinks it is really there. When one is relaxed and imagines hearing the sound of the ocean, seeing the colors, smelling the air, the same quality of experience within the body is elicited. Guided Imagery has been widely researched and proven to be very beneficial in helping bodies heal and to create goal-oriented outcomes. Guided Imagery is complementary to medical care and is a powerful way one can actively participate in healthcare. Daily use in the form of a tape or CD is recommended.

Hypnotherapy is a modern form of hypnosis that incorporates a variety of techniques such as Guided

Imagery, Focused Relaxation and Self-Hypnosis. Hypnosis was approved by the American Medical Association in 1958.  It is a very natural process and actually is a communication system between the conscious and sub-conscious mind. Consciously, one may want to change a pattern of behavior but if there is conflict or fear about the change, long-term success is less likely. Wanted suggestions (a form of affirmations) are given while in a relaxed state.  There is a lot of misinformation about hypnosis due to stage and TV shows. Most people experience success with a light to moderate state of relaxation. Current and past research has indicated that hypnotherapy can play a valuable role in a person’s well-being. Hypnosis is complimentary to medical treatments. Daily use of a personalized tape or CD is recommended.

• Manage Stress
• Improve sleep
• Increase Immune System
• Cope with Medical/Dental Procedures & Symptoms
• Manage Pain
• Release Fears/Phobias
• Peak Performance
• Manage Weight/Smoking
• Enhance Self-Esteem

What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process that gives people involved in a conflict the opportunity to resolve their dispute.  The process is confidential, creative, cooperative and constructive. In Mediation, an impartial, trained professional helps people negotiate directly with each other.

Mediation promotes communication. It provides the parties the opportunity to clear the air, move forward in a positive way, create better and stronger relationships and relieve the stress of unresolved conflict. It allows the parties involved to control the decisions that affect their lives and futures.

Mediation is an approach for people who do not want to get involved in the legal adversary system of spending all of their time, emotion and energy in a court battle. It is also an approach for people who intend to find a process to go their own way with the least amount of pain.

The Role of a Mediator

Mediators have important roles in the mediation process, but they do not have the final word on any issue. Their goal is to reduce obstacles to communication to identify issues that need to be resolved between parties. A mediator explores alternatives with fairness, integrity and impartiality which allow parties to reach voluntary agreements to resolve disputes. Ultimately, this leaves decision-making solely in the hand of the clients.

Advantages of Mediation

• Affordable. Mediation can cost considerably less that litigation
• Efficient. Most disputes are settled within a few sessions
• Effective. Mediation statistically settles over 80% of initiated disputes.
• Informal. The process of Mediation is flexible and informal. It is not necessary to have an attorney represent you during the mediation process. However, some individuals feel more comfortable with attorney representation.
• Empowering. Disputing parties are directly engaged in the negotiation of their agreement. Parties also enhance the likelihood of continuing their relationships by utilizing mediation.
• Confidential. Information disclosed during mediation may not be divulged as evidence in any trial or judicial proceeding, except in the case of domestic violence.

Who is Mediation For?

• Employees
• Employers
• Neighbors
• Siblings in Eldercare matters
• Parents and children
• Community disputes
• Divorce
• Partners who are separating

Today, Mediation is the most rapidly growing alternative to more traditional processes for dispute resolution. It is being actively utilized in almost every type of case. With an 80-85% success rate, it is wise and relatively inexpensive to try mediation.

Many of us are taught at an early age that we have to be nice in order to be loved and accepted. “Be nice” says the parent while disciplining a child. Nice is how we are conditioned towards others. We want to be polite and respect others during our daily interactions. The sort of nice that I wish to address here is a different type of nice, the type that comes at a cost to our own well-being and peace of mind.

At times, being nice means that our own needs and true feelings get repressed. We can become afraid to honestly express what is really going on inside of us as this could lead to disapproval and judgment from others. Our conditioned beliefs remind us that we may be rejected or that it is selfish to think of ourselves. The internal dialogue says that “I should put everyone’s needs before my own. I can’t get my needs met! “ The belief is that we do not have a choice. This can create unexpressed feelings of anxiety, anger, fear and resentment. We don’t always know how to convey what’s going on within us without coming across as mean-spirited or demanding. We may not even be consciously aware of our own habitual patterns of communication.

Often, we believe that it is much better to protect ourselves from being vulnerable by hiding behind a lifeless “mask” of niceness. Our true selves get lost or hidden away somewhere which can lead to feeling isolated and energetically drained. Others can often sense when we are not being honest and up front with them, which creates distance and mistrust.

The good news is that we have the ability change those patterns that no longer serve our well-being. It is our personal responsibility to become mindful and stay mindful of our own feelings and needs as well as the needs of our loved ones, associates and friends.

An internal shift can occur that brings more comfort, peace and connection with ourselves and our relationships. We can shift from being nice to being kind. Kind, authentic communication comes from the heart center. Being kind is far more internal in nature and speaks to our ability for empathy and a genuine desire to be merciful and helpful. We become consciously aware of our emotional and physical needs and connect with a sense of kindness toward ourselves and others. We can safely remove our masks and be more connected to who we truly are.

Our ability to listen becomes heightened as we tune into our authentic nature, in the moment. Kind people usually communicate with smiling eyes, warmth in the heart, true presence, and a genuine interest in the other person. We can recognize and acknowledge that we do not have to agree with everyone and everything. We can give ourselves a voice and find a common ground that provides a nurturing space for every person to grow.

“I think that what we’re really seeking is an experience of being alive…so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.” – Joseph Campbell

Sherry McHenry and Pamela Wilz are facilitating a one-day workshop titled Being Authentic on Saturday, May 2^nd from 10-4 at The Church By The Woods in Sharonville. Sherry is a guide and mediator, assisting groups and individuals in developing positive lifestyle patterns. Pamela is a counselor and coach dedicated to helping others uncover their authentic selves. For more information, contact Sherry at 513-708-9621; sherrymchenry@fuse.net; www.SherryMcHenry.com or Pamela at 513-827-8280; pamela.wilz@fuse.net