Skin stimulation includes massage, heating pads, ice packs or other similar methods to alleviate pain. It is usually done either on or near the area of pain. For pain relief, massage is most effective when using slow, steady, circular motions. You can massage over or near the area of pain with just your bare hand or with any substance that feels good, such as talcum powder, warm oil, or hand lotion. However, if you are having radiation therapy, avoid massage in the treatment area.
Exercise can help relieve tension, depression and fatigue.
Exercise such as swimming or walking can be comforting, can increase your energy level, and can provide a welcome, healthy distraction from your pain. An exercise program should only be started after your doctor gives you the go-ahead. Kerry Courneya of the University of Alberta and Christine Friedenreich of the Alberta Cancer Board in Canada, writing in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine , noted that physical exercise can improve cancer patients quality of life by reducing pain, fatigue, nausea and other side effects. They analyzed 24 studies of exercise in cancer patients published between 1980 and 1997 and found that the studies have consistently demonstrated that physical exercise following cancer diagnosis has a positive effect on quality of life, including physical, functional, psychological, and emotional well being. Biofeedback involves learning to voluntarily control certain body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension.