When carried out under the direction of Cooper physicians, complementary therapies can often reduce the pain and anxiety associated with cancer.
For cancer patients, mind-body practices can be a blessing. Here’s how they help:
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Reduce stress: A Harvard study showed that meditation lowered heart rate and blood pressure and reduced stress hormones.
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Improve mood: In Canada, cancer patients reported less anxiety and depression.
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Enhance overall health: Cancer patients in Ohio who learned conscious relaxation ate better, stopped smoking, and showed marked improvement in immune function.
The Cooper Complementary Medicine Program is a core component of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) at Cooper.
Because Cooper is the only South Jersey hospital included in the prestigious CINJ network of institutions, it is widely recognized as the regional leader in cancer treatment. As such, Cooper is committed to offering the broadest range of therapies. These include treatments carefully designed to enhance traditional care.
The Complementary Medicine Program at Cooper is open to anyone touched by cancer. This includes the families and caregivers of cancer patients - whether or not they were treated by CINJ at Cooper.
Important Advances in cancer treatment mean that more people are living longer. However, their quality of life is not necessarily better.
Cancer diagnoses and treatment can be stressful. Doctors often recommend that patients consider complementary therapies that focus on mind, body, and spirit. In many cases, patients themselves inquire about such therapies and those qualified to provide them.
Although experience has shown that such complementary therapies can be very beneficial, it is important that they be administered only under the supervision of qualified physicians. In this way, the best interests of patients are protected and no therapies are prescribed that will interfere with the effectiveness of conventional cancer care.
The Cooper Complementary Medicine Program offers a variety of mind-body therapies performed by well-trained, certified therapists. It is important to recognize that these therapies cannot cure cancer. However, many patients have found them to be of significant help. For example, complementary treatments can sometimes assist in reducing pain, lessen anxiety, alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy or other traditional treatments, and promote a sense of well-being.
These programs include:
- Acupuncture
- Reflexology
- Massage
- Reiki
- Meditation / Expressive Therapies
- Yoga
- Nutrition
- Support Groups
- Qi-Gong
Cancer patients, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to contact The Complementary Medicine Program at Cooper to learn more about these therapies and the important benefits they offer.
The Complementary Medicine Program utilizes practitioners with demonstrated excellence in their field, including the services of M. Kyu Chung, MD, Chief of the Department of Family Medicine and Associate Professor at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Cooper. Dr. Chung is the Founder and Director of the Center for Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine at Cooper University Hospital. Dr. Chung is nationally known for his work in acupuncture including treatment for post-chemotherapy nausea, fatigue and the side effects of medication.
For more information about the Complementary Medicine Program or to schedule an appointment with a Cooper physician, call our Physician Referral & Information Line at 1-800-8-COOPER. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm to answer questions regarding available medical services, physicians and community health programs.