Personal, portable biofeedback equipment is available for home use . Hypnosis can change how you perceive pain and reduce your anxiety. Under hypnosis, a patient enters a state of deep relaxation and then is given simple suggestions to experience the pain in a different way. Audiotapes for self-hypnosis are widely available for home use. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used by many cancer patients as an adjunct to conventional medical treatment.
Anecdotal information supports the use of nutrition and herbs to control pain indirectly.
Herbs are mainly used to support immune functioning, promote the health of the liver, and detoxify the lymph system, with pain reduction being a secondary effect. Yerba mate tea has been found to decrease neuropathic pain associated with chemotherapy, and valeriana officinalis is known to reduce pain and promote rest and sleep. Herbs have medicinal properties that can interact with other medications a patient may be taking. If you are considering using nutrition or herbs to manage your pain, you should always consult a competent, well-trained practitioner before taking any nutritional or herbal supplements. You should always communicate with your oncologists about alternative methods you are considering.