Non-medical pain relief for metastatic breast cancer

Complementary therapies are sometimes used to help relieve pain from metastatic breast cancer.

Often you can use them at the same time as standard medical treatments. They aim to improve your quality of life and help with some of the side effects of treatment.

Always talk to your doctor before you start any complementary therapies. Some therapies may interfere with your treatments or the management of side effects.

Massage

Massage involves working on the body's muscles and joints using hands to stretch and apply pressure. This can help with stiffness and muscle tension making you feel more relaxed and less stressed.

Massage with an aromatherapy blend can aid relaxation; however, ask your masseur to avoid any inflamed or swollen areas.

Your medical oncologist may prefer that you see an accredited oncology massage therapist.

Acupuncture

In acupuncture, very fine needles are inserted into the skin at specific points. They stimulate nerves under the skin and in the muscle. This causes the body to release endorphins – natural chemicals that give you a feeling of wellbeing.

The aim is to help relieve physical symptoms such as pain. Some studies show that acupuncture can help reduce chronic pain caused by the cancer itself or cancer surgery.  

Ask your doctor to refer you to a qualified acupuncture practitioner.

Some private health funds provide a reimbursement for acupuncture.

When to avoid acupuncture

If you have had surgery to the lymph nodes in your armpit (‘axilla’), acupuncture needles should not be placed in the arm or hand on that side.

Yoga and breathing

Yoga uses a combination of stretching, breathing and sometimes meditation, to improve physical and emotional strength and wellbeing.

Relaxation techniques such as abdominal breathing or gentle yoga can also help to relieve pain.

If you are not used to this form of exercise, start with easy, gentle techniques. There are many different types of yoga. Make sure you choose a style that is gentle and an instructor who can help you work within your limits.

One advantage of yoga is that you can do it at home. Once you find a style that suits you, look online for free yoga classes, for example on YouTube (such as Yoga with Adrienne).

Cold and heat packs

Cold packs decrease blood flow. They can be good at relieving for pain from inflammation, joint pain and muscle aches and spasms.

Warm packs increase blood flow. They are more effective for pain caused by stiffness or muscle tightness.

Whether cold or heat works best for pain relief can vary from person to person. You may want to try both to find out what works for you.

When to avoid cold packs and heat packs

You shouldn’t apply heat or cold to areas being treated by radiotherapy.

If you have areas of poor circulation, don’t use cold packs in these areas.

Supports, aids and appliances

If you are not comfortable sitting or lying down, various aids and appliances may make you more comfortable.

For example, if pain in your legs or feet is made worse by the weight of bedding, you can place a frame under the covers to protect you.

Mattress and back supports can also help.

You can usually hire the aids you need for a relatively small fee.
Ask your doctor or palliative care team for information. They may also be able to refer you to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist.