Get your free Information Pack
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and you don’t know which way to turn, start with our free Information Pack.
Complementary therapies can be used alongside conventional (approved) anti-tumour treatments. People affected by brain tumours may use them to help manage the side-effects caused by their medical treatments or to improve their mental and/or physical well-being.
Complementary therapies are different from alternative therapies. Alternative therapies claim to treat tumours when used instead of conventional therapies such chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Claims made about the effectiveness of alternative therapies are not supported by scientific evidence and would not be recommended by your doctor.
The complementary therapy you choose will depend on your own personal preference and circumstances. What works for one might not work for someone else. You might have to try different therapies before finding the one that suits you and helps you the most.
You can ask your health team to give you more information about these and other complementary therapies and to help you get in touch with a certified therapist.
It is important that your health team is made aware of any complementary therapies you might be having as they can sometimes interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs and brain tumour treatments.
Here are some therapies people affected by a brain tumour often find helpful:
Some people find that acupuncture helps them with:
During therapy the acupuncturist will insert very fine sterile stainless steel needles into the skin at various points on the body. Acupuncture is thought to work by releasing natural morphine-like substances in the body, such as endorphins, which can ease symptoms.
Aromatherapy involves the use of herbal oils such as lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus and camomile. The essential oils can be:
The oils are absorbed through the skin (when rubbed) and/or through the nose (when you inhale them as vapour).
People have reported that aromatherapy helps them cope with:
A certified aromatherapist can guide you through the variety of essential oils used and suggest which might be more appropriate for you.
People usually have massage therapy or reflexology to help manage physical symptoms such as pain, muscle stiffness, breathlessness and/or emotions such as stress and anxiety. In massage therapy, a trained therapist will use their hands to rub your muscles. Reflexology involves gentle pressures on the feet or sometimes the hands.
A brain tumour diagnosis can be devastating and may cause unmanageable feelings of stress, fear, anxiety and even depression. Talking therapies, such as counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), involve a therapist who you will talk to you and help you deal with the emotional side of living with brain tumour and going through treatment. Make sure you use a qualified therapist.
If you need someone to talk to or advice on where to get help, our Support and Information team is available by phone, email or live-chat.
By taking part in our Improving Brain Tumour Care surveys and sharing your experiences, you can help us improve treatment and care for everyone affected by a brain tumour.
If you have further questions, need to clarify any of the information on this page, or want to find out more about research and clinical trials, please contact our team:
0808 800 0004 (free from landlines and mobiles)
support@thebraintumourcharity.org
Phone lines open Mon-Fri, 09:00-17:00
clinicaltrials@thebraintumourcharity.org
You can also join our active online community - Join our online support groups.