Firstly, let me point out that the results that were released by the Health Spa Commission in the UK do not claim that spa treatments should in any way replace traditional cancer treatments. That said, the research results are an eye opener and suggest that people should be looking into as many forms as treatment as possible, rather than relying on just one.
Over 2500 participants were studied over a 4 year period, with varying types and severities of cancer. The results showed that those who partook in specialized spa days treatments over the course of 6 months were more likely to see an improvement in their condition than those who did not. In fact over 65% of those who had the treatments showed signs of improvement over the six months, compared to only 55% of who did not have treatments.
We had to be very careful about the types of treatments we prescribed stats Tony Lancer, Director of Studies. He pointed out that often cancer can be spread through the lymphatic system and so manipulation of areas around lymph glands can be dangerous to cancer sufferers. On top of this, a large number of skin care and massage products react with those used in chemotherapy. For these reasons massage was limited to localized areas and doctors were consulted on the ingredients in all skin care and beauty products used.
It is thought that the positive results for the patients were an effect of the relaxation that resulted from having the treatments such as a facial or pedicure etc. Lancer suggests that stress can often make cancer worse as the body natural processes begin to break down over a sustained period of anxiety. Taking part in spa treatments brings anxiety levels back down to manageable amounts and the body can go back to looking after itself, rather than constantly being in a ‘fight or flight’ state.
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