Self-Care
Home treatment may help to reduce cancer pain and improve your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any home treatment you may use.
Here are some things you can try at home to relieve cancer pain.
Heat and cold
Heat and cold treatments can help with mild to moderate pain from cancer. Heat may relieve sore muscles. Cold may ease pain by numbing pain sensations. Try alternating heat and cold. After a heat or cold treatment, try some gentle massage for relaxation and pain relief.
Talk to your doctor before you try either heat or cold during chemotherapy or radiation treatments.
Be careful when using heat or cold treatment.
- Don't apply heat or cold to skin that may be red or tender from radiation treatment.
- Don't apply heat to an area where the skin is broken or injured. Heat can increase bleeding.
- Don't apply heat or cold packs directly to bare skin. Put a thin towel or pillowcase between the pack and your skin.
- Don't use heat or cold in an area where the skin is numb or where you have poor blood flow.
Gentle massage
Simple touch or gentle massage may help reduce pain and ease tension. You could ask someone else to rub your shoulders or back. You can massage your own feet, hands, or neck. Self-massage works best if you are in comfortable clothes and are sitting or lying in a comfortable position. Use oil or lotion to massage bare skin.
Avoid massage in any areas where you have visible tumors, open wounds, skin that is tender from radiation, or a blood clot in a vein.
Distraction
Distraction can help you focus your attention on something other than pain. Paying attention to something other than pain may make the pain easier to handle. Distraction can be useful whenever you are waiting for pain medicines to start working.
Physical activity
Physical activity can help reduce pain and fatigue. It can also prevent muscle spasms and stiffness in your joints. Stretching and range-of-motion exercises can help you stay strong, flexible, and mobile.
Being physically active also can help with your emotional and mental health. It may be hard to be active when you don't feel well. But if you are able, going for a walk or a swim may help you feel better, especially during cancer treatment.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before you increase your level of physical activity.
Coping with your emotions
When you have cancer, you may have a lot of different feelings, like anger, sadness, and fear. And your feelings can change from day to day, and even moment to moment. Most people who have cancer deal with feelings like this.
Although it may be hard at first, look for things each day that help you find a new sense of purpose and meaning. You may find that you appreciate even more things in your life like family or good friends. Keep looking for small things that help you feel at peace. Here are some examples of things that may help you cope with your emotions. Maybe you'll see one or two ideas you'd like to try.
- Start a journal.
Writing about things that bother you may help you deal with your feelings.
- Let your feelings out.
Talk, laugh, cry, and express anger when you need to.
- Get support.
You can find support from the people around you. Your friends, family, a counselor, a support group, or a spiritual adviser can help you.
If you think you are depressed, talk to your doctor about getting treatment. Treatment can help you to feel better and focus on taking good care of yourself.
- Exercise.
Walking and other activities, such as yoga, tai chi, or qi gong, can help release pent-up emotions.
- Try guided imagery.
This means using your imagination to take you to a calm, peaceful place. Imagining yourself in a peaceful setting can help you relax and ease stress. You can do guided imagery on your own. Or you can do it with audio recordings, an instructor, or scripts to lead you through the process.
- Do something you enjoy.
Read or work on a hobby.
- Practice gratitude.
Being thankful is linked to well-being. It can boost the inner strength that helps you bounce back. It shifts your attention to the positive things in your life. It can help you appreciate what's important to you.
Learn more
- Using Cold and Heat Therapies