Mind-Body Modalities & Cancer

About Mind-Body Therapies (MSKCC)

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/mind-body

Mind-Body Practices Reduce Cancer-Related Symptoms and Improve Patients’ Mental Health (ONS Voice, Oncology Nursing Society)

https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/mind-body-practices-reduce-cancer-related-symptoms-and-improve-patients-mental

Mind-Body Resources (CancerCare)

https://www.cancercare.org/tagged/mind-body

Mind-Body Support from Crossroads4Hope (relaxation, meditation, gentle exercise, yoga)

https://crossroads4hope.org/how-we-help/#mind_body

4 ways to recognize the mind-body connection during cancer treatment (MD Anderson)

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/4-ways-to-recognize-the-mind-body-connection-during-cancer-treatment.h00-159621801.html

Guided Imagery Podcasts (courtesy of Kaiser Permanente)

https://thrive.kaiserpermanente.org/care-near-you/northern-california/eastbay/departments/perioperative-medicine/guided-imagery-podcasts/

Mind Body Classes (Hope Connections) Take your mind off your disease and get the emotional and physical strength you need right now! Our certified instructors will help you or your caregiver learn how relieve stress and take an active role in your own health and well-being. Free programs in relaxation, tranquility, guided meditation, hypnosis for stress reduction, expressive art, Reiki and chakra balancing, mindfulness, Yin & restorative yoga, strength, balance, stretch, Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga, and more. 

https://hopeconnectionsforcancer.org/programs/mind-body/

The Center for Mind-Body Medicine We help communities create and implement evidence-based, inclusive, accessible, affordable, and sustainable public health interventions to relieve trauma and build resilience. Our mission is to help communities around the world develop the tools they need to heal population-wide trauma. We believe the full range of human perspectives and experiences should be considered in all we do. To this end, we value and commit to addressing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and its components on all levels of our organization and offerings. This includes who we hire and what we deem an essential commitment in bringing our work to communities. We honor these principles in how we elevate and create leadership opportunities for our staff, faculty, board, and volunteers, and in how we design and offer all our trainings and programs. Our organization and our work are grounded in the community of healers and the healing community that we began to create 31 years ago. We welcome all those who share our mission and our values to join with us. 

https://cmbm.org/

Progressive Muscle Relaxation How-To (NCIPH)

https://nciph.org/content/pmr.html

ASCO: Coping with Cancer- Managing Emotions

https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/managing-emotions

ASCO: Art Therapy in Cancer Care

https://www.cancer.net/blog/2017-04/spotlight-art-therapists-cancer-care

Dept Environmental Conservation: Forrest Therapy

https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/90720.html

ASCO: Power of Writing (Journal Therapy)

https://www.cancer.net/blog/2014-06/power-writing

MD Anderson: Journaling Your Way Through Cancer

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/practicing-self-care-through-journaling.h00-158828856.html

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Music Therapy

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/therapies/music-therapy

Twist Out Cancer provides psychosocial support to previvors, survivors & caregivers through creative arts programming which serves as a mechanism for healing. We are a global community that enables anyone touched by cancer to connect, create, support and inspire. Our program, Brushes with Cancer, strategically matches artists with those touched by cancer to create unique pieces of artwork reflective of their journey. Over a period of 4 months, pairs will connect virtually and their relationships are guided and supported by Twist Out Cancer mentors with the intention of creating a support system for both the artist and inspiration. The program finishes on a high note with our signature celebratory art exhibition, gala and auction.

Support for People Touched by Cancer - Twist Out Cancer 

Resources for Resilience (R4R) is a project of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology's Humanitarian Committee. Members from all over the world volunteer their time to meet R4R’s mission and provide free access to self-help techniques that can help you recover more quickly and easily from stressful events.

https://r4r.energypsych.org/

Reiki (Breastcancer.org) Reiki is a Japanese form of therapy that is delivered through the hands. Reiki means "universal life energy."

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/complementary-therapy/types/reiki

Reiki (PDF handout from Unite for Her) Reiki is a complement to traditional care; it is not massage, nor a substitute for medical care.

https://uniteforher.org/_wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Reiki-Handout.pdf

Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) is an international alliance of educators, massage therapy practitioners, advocates, and affiliate organizations who share the common vision and goal of supporting the cancer community. S4OM works to ensure the safe and effective integration of massage therapy as a standard of care for people living with cancer.

https://www.s4om.org/

Oncology on Canvas® (Eli Lilly) For two decades, Oncology on Canvas® has provided people in the cancer community an opportunity to share their stories through art and narrative. The program, a partnership between Lilly, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and the Cancer Support Community, serves as a creative outlet for patients, their loved ones and their care teams. Originally a competition, the program encourages submissions of all types, including poetry, watercolor; oil and acrylic painting; pastels; photography; and mixed media artwork. You don’t have to be a professional artist to experience the power of creative expression. Share your story today.

https://www.lilly.com/disease-areas/cancer

Submission form: https://www.myregistrationc.com/OncologyOnCanvas/ArtExhibition

Say It Now How will you express gratitude to the people who’ve impacted your life?Expressing gratitude solidifies relationships and eliminates the prospect of having regrets for things you might have said. It releases warmth. It can even change lives. We hope that you’re inspired to join us. Say It Now is a movement to change how and when we express gratitude for the people who’ve meant so much in our lives, from too late to right now. How? By empowering people with easy tools to jumpstart their gratitude journey. Whether expressed in writing, verbally or at a group event, letting someone know how much you appreciate them is a transformative experience – for their life and yours!  All the step-by-step resources you need to do your own expression of gratitude are available right here.

https://www.justsayitnow.org/

What is Mindfulness? 

https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

Mindfulness (Psychology Today)

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/mindfulness

Insight Timer: Free Mindfulness App

https://insighttimer.com/individuals

Evidence for the Role of Mindfulness in Cancer: Benefits and Techniques (Cureus vol. 11, 9 May. 2019)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6623989/

Resources on Gratitude

https://grateful.org/

Greater Good Magazine: Topics on Gratitude & Happiness Calendar

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude

National Cancer Institute: Aromatherapy for Cancer

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/aromatherapy-pdq?redirect=true

Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients (American Massage Therapy Association)

https://www.amtamassage.org/resources/massage-and-health/medical-treatments/massage-for-cancer-patients/

Yoga Improves Sleep Disorders, Fatigue in Patients With Cancer (Cancer Therapy Advisor, 2017)

https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/cancer-topics/supportive-care/side-effect-management/yoga-improves-sleep-disorders-fatigue-in-patients-with-cancer/

Influence of Yoga on Cancer-Related Fatigue and on Mediational Relationships Between Changes in Sleep and Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Nationwide, Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga in Cancer Survivors. (Integr Cancer Ther. 2019 Jan-Dec)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6552348/

Virtual Mind–Body Fitness Classes Show Unexpected Benefit in People with Cancer (NCI)

https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/mind-body-fitness-cancer-side-effects

Mind-Body Therapies in Cancer: What is the Latest Evidence? (Carlson LE, Zelinski E, Toivonen K, Flynn M, Qureshi M, Piedalue KA, Grant R. Curr Oncol Rep. 2017 Aug 18;19(10):67. doi: 10.1007/s11912-017-0626-1. PMID: 28822063.)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28822063/

Meditation Instructional Videos (MISSION)

https://yourmission.org/meditation/ 

Horses Can Heal: 5 Reasons to Try Equine Therapy (National Foundation for Cancer Research) Horses have a longstanding working relationship with humans, from being an early form of transportation to assisting with farm work. In recent years, these strong creatures have undertaken yet another impressive role as assisted therapy animals. Horses have become an important partner for many occupational therapists. Their impressive resume doesn’t stop there, as many health professionals also find horses to be great additions to cancer patient therapy. This practice, referred to as equine therapy, can be carried out in a variety of ways. From walking alongside a horse to riding atop one, equine therapy can have amazing impacts on both cancer patients and their loved ones.

https://www.nfcr.org/blog/horses-can-heal-5-reasons-to-try-equine-therapy/

5 Reasons to Try Equine Therapy for Recovering Cancer Patients (Side-Out Foundation)

https://side-out.org/the-cancer-world/5-reasons-to-try-equine-therapy-for-recovering-cancer-patients/

Reins of Hope is a Certified 501c3 Nonprofit located in Atlanta, GA aimed at providing equine assisted forms of therapy for those in need. The mission at Reins of Hope is to enhance lives, provide solace, rejuvenation, and healing for children and adults with physical, mental, emotional and social challenges through equine-assisted activities and therapies. Above and beyond our mission statement, Reins of Hope would like to offer adaptive/ therapeutic riding at low to no cost to the participants through donations. We understand the great expense these families are facing as they are on a life long journey of therapies and most are not covered by insurance. Breast Cancer Wellness: This program was developed specifically for women living through breast cancer. It has proven to be successful in helping participants regain confidence, improve posture, increase flexibility, strengthen the core and spine as well as lower heart rates and increase oxygen levels. 

https://reinsofhope.org/

Ironstone Farm Equine Therapy Cancer Retreats Our cancer programs provide healing respite to individuals and families impacted by cancer. Equine-assisted activities bring a sense of empowerment, mindfulness, and joy to participants, while the beauty of the outdoors can offer a much-needed change of scenery for many. By bringing people together who are going through similar experiences, we hope to provide a sense of community and support so that no one feels alone in their cancer journey. Working with horses can also help to rebuild physical strength and mobility, which can be particularly beneficial for those who have had long periods of hospital treatment with lower activity levels. For over ten years, Ironstone Farm has been offering free Equine Encounter retreats to cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their families. Run by professional facilitators, the equine-assisted therapeutic program focuses on discovering the powerful relationship between horses and humans. Exploring this bond helps participants build a renewed sense of self, overcome fears and insecurities, increase confidence, and serve as a reminder of one's own strength. Retreats are free to participants thanks to the generosity of the Boston North Cancer Association. No horse experience is necessary. 

https://ironstonefarm.org/cancer-retreats

Healing with Horses: Navigating Metastatic Breast Cancer Through Equine Therapy (Living Beyond Breast Cancer)

https://www.lbbc.org/blog/healing-with-horses

Hope Held By A Horse empowers you to take time for your SELF, not just at our weekend program, but each and every day. Our program creates a solid foundation for your emotional recovery journey and empowers you to live your life fully and unapologetically. Come spend a magical day with horses, in the community of others with cancer, and our highly skilled facilitators, to learn, grow, and heal in a safe and supportive environment. Hope Held by a Horse is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Parker, Colorado. Offering free programs in Colorado, Maryland, Texas, and Connecticut. 

https://hopeheldbyahorse.org/