Lowering Stress Cortisol

When a person is under severe emotional stress or is carrying around unresolved emotional pain, the body produces high levels of the stress hormone CORTISOL. Raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol have been clinically shown in trials to directly suppress immune system functioning and have been directly linked to premature death, depression, stress and many diseases including cancer.

Prolonged stress also depletes Adrenaline levels in the body, causing glucose levels to rise in normal cells. Viral-bacterial-yeast-like fungus feeds on and ferments this glucose, breaking the cell’s Kreb’s (oxygen) cycle, and causing cells to mutate into cancer cells. [See The Cancer Personality]

The practice of massage to lower stress hormone cortisol levels and restore adrenaline levels was further validated when it became the cornerstone of a new program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, generally considered to be one of the world's top-ranked cancer hospitals.

It is critical for the cancer patient to lower stress hormone cortisol levels within their body in order for their immune system to recover and to restore adrenaline levels to normal to prevent new cancer cell mutations.

Regular massage is an effective way of lowering cortisol levels and has countless benefits, including an improved state of mind and an overall sense of well-being.

Use gentle strokes to massage the entire body. During a massage, the mind sends signals to the nervous system to completely relax the entire body at a very deep level. This results in a significant lowering of stress hormone cortisol levels.

World Research Shows Massage Benefits Cancer Outcomes

Women with advanced breast cancer who have abnormal daytime levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, are significantly more likely to die sooner than patients with normal levels of the hormone, Stanford researchers report in a newly published study. The researchers also found that women with these abnormal cortisol levels had fewer immune system cells known as natural killer cells, and this reduced immunity was associated with higher mortality. [Stanford University School of Medicine, USA]

"One of the three ongoing studies with women who have Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancer has already shown massage producing a reduction of anxiety and an increase in natural killer cell numbers. Fifty-eight (58) breast cancer patients from the Miami area participated in the study. Participants, who were in the early stages of cancer, received 20-minute massage therapy twice a week for five weeks; others in a control group received no massage therapy.

At the end of the five week period, blood tests indicated an 11 percent increase in the number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells among the participants who received massage therapy. These participants also reported being less depressed, less anxious and less angry, as well as having more vigor than the control group. [The Touch Research Institute - University of Miami Medical Centre]

People living with cancer report that weekly massage improves their quality of life. They have more energy, are better able to perform daily activities, and have less psychological distress. [The Oncology Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, USA]

During this study (of HIV+ men) massage intervention showed that there was a significant decrease in state anxiety, a significant increase in relaxation, a significant increase in Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, a significant increase in cytotoxic T cells, and a significant decrease in urinary cortisol. [International Journal of Neuroscience]

"Cortisol (stress hormone level) concentrations decreased consistently after massage." [Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London]

According to leading cancer center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, "What is currently being demonstrated about massage through research studies is that the emotional, physical and spiritual well being it brings to patients is significant. These effects may eventually be shown to overwhelm any possible risks by enhancing a sense of well-being and stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer better. Enhancing circulation could also theoretically allow for greater circulation of immune cells"

Nurse researcher, Susie Wilkinson, of the Marie Curie Cancer Centre in Liverpool, England, studied the effects of a series of four weekly, full-body massages on the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. Aside from relaxation, 33 percent reported pain reduction, while 20 percent reported other physical benefits such as decreased edema, increased mobility, and improved skin condition.

About half indicated that the positive aspects of the massage had been mainly physical, while the other half reported the primary benefit to be emotional or spiritual. One of the important emotional themes that surfaced for patients was the benefit of being given time and attention specifically for them. For some, the massage sessions were a time out from the illness.

MASSAGE WITH LAVENDER OIL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES INSOMNIA, STRESS & DEPRESSION

Lavender Essential Oil works to calm a variety of nervous disorders including depression, nervous tension, panic, and hysteria. It emanates a mellow peacefulness and induces sleep.

Sleep is critical for the cancer patient for a number of reasons. Firstly, a peaceful night's sleep significantly reduces the stress hormone cortisol, enabling the body's immune system to recover. Secondly, deep sleep for extended periods between 12am-3am increases melatonin levels produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Melatonin is vital for preventing cancer cell growth.

Simply inhaling Lavender Essential Oil releases various neuro-chemicals in the brain. When Lavender is inhaled, serotonin is released from the raphe nucleus of the brain, producing a calming influence on the mind, the body and the spirit. The combination of smell and touch causes powerful responses, physically and emotionally. Having a massage with Lavender Oil can have an extremely calming effect on a person's
autonomic nervous system, helping to significantly reduce stress hormone cortisol levels.

To induce sleep and overcome insomnia: Place 7-8 drops pure grade Lavender Oil in an oil burner in your bedroom before going to sleep and leave to burn all night.

Re-Connecting to Life

People with cancer often feel disconnected from life and from themselves. Fear of dying, the drudgery of being prodded and probed by doctors and specialists, feeling sick, pain, and the sheer uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring, all contribute to a feeling of isolation, frustration, depression and a diminished quality of life.

Feeling isolated and restless were the most highly rated concerns for cancer patients in a study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas School of Public Health.

Re-connecting to life is an important part of the healing process and improves immune system functioning, quality of life and emotional well-being and stability. Re-connecting to life brings balance and meaning and takes the focus away from illness and the uncertainty of death.

Holistic Pulsing

Holistic Pulsing is a profound system of healing and self-discovery based on the most fundamental principles of life: rhythm and water. During a session the receiver is gently rocked with a rhythm close to the fetal heartbeat experienced in the womb. The rhythmic rocking sends ripples flowing through the whole body, enlivening the system on all levels, including the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical levels. The sense of peace, support and love experienced during a session is often a catalyst for powerful self-discovery and healing. Holistic Pulsing heals the rift between the Body and Mind. It is a powerful tool for true self-acceptance. Many people express surprise at the depth of impact of a Holistic Pulsing therapy session. Holistic Pulsing is an excellent aid for lifting shock and trauma responsible for a weakening of the immune system.

Spirituality

Spirituality and faith rated highly in a Quality of Life study for cancer patients conducted by Michael J. Fisch of the Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Several patients stressed that spirituality was one of the main keys to coping well with advanced cancer. The patients with higher spiritual well-being had a great sense of inner peace that buoyed them. Fisch described it as a reservoir attached to the tank of quality of life. Each person has a certain level of quality of life that fills his or her tank, he said. As they get sicker, the tank may begin to spring leaks and lose its content more quickly. Patients who don't have a reservoir will do everything they can to hide the leaks and to maneuver in order to not dip below a level of dignity. Those with a sense of spiritual well-being, when able to connect to their reservoir, are routinely able to keep the tank at a good level.

Social Support

Social support can extend the life of a cancer patient. In 1989, a landmark study on emotions and cancer was published in The Lancet, a prominent British journal. It found that women with cancer who attended support groups lived twice as long, on average, as those who did not. A 1993 study from the University of California of Los Angeles indicated that patients who had survived cancer for at least five years and attended group therapy lived three times as long as those who didn’t seek therapy. When people are grieving, their T-cells and natural killer cells - both important immune system defenders - function less effectively. Support from family, friends and fellow sufferers not only provides comfort but may improve a patient’s health by bolstering immune cells.

Moderate Exercise

In one small study, researchers found that moderate exercise (three or more times a week such as yoga) increased the immune cell counts of women undergoing breast cancer treatment back to normal levels, and also improved the women's mood and ability to handle their feelings comfortably. Positive emotional effects such as decreases in anxiety and depression, increased body image and self-esteem were also shown. Regular exercise also helps to relieve sleep problems often common during treatment and helps to significantly reduce fatigue. Tip: Skip exercise during fevers, infections, uncontrollable nausea, and severe pain.

Laughter

Published studies at the Loma Linda University in California have shown that laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormone CORTISOL levels, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon and B-cells, which produce disease-destroying antibodies. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being. Laughter releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that have pain-relieving properties similar to morphine and are probably connected to euphoric feelings, and appetite modulation. Tip: Rent a good comedy from your video store 3 or more times a week.

Sunlight Exposure

Taking a daily 10 to 15 minute walk in the sun not only clears your head, relieves stress and increases circulation - it could also cut your risk of breast cancer in half. One study found that sunlight exposure lowered the risk of breast cancer by 30 to 40 percent." [Northern California Cancer Center]

Transcendental Meditation (TM) Technique

Transcendental Meditation can literally save your life. Those who practice Transcendental Meditation have significantly lower stress hormone cortisol levels, significantly higher melatonin levels for inhibiting cancer cell growth, and most importantly, a 55.4% less incidence of tumours, both benign and malignant, according to leading studies.

The Transcendental Meditation technique of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is a standardized procedure practiced for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. Maharishi explains that "Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless procedure whereby the mind easily and naturally arrives at the source of thought, the settled state of mind - Transcendental Consciousness - pure consciousness, self-referral consciousness, which is the source of all creative processes."

Transcendental Meditation also produces distinctive physiological and psychological effects that are useful in preventing disease and promoting health. The physiological effects include:

(1) reduced carotid atherosclerosis, a cause of strokes and heart attacks,
(2) lower baseline cortisol levels, a stress hormone,
(3) reduced blood pressure, in both normal people and hypertensive patients,
(4) decreased heart rate,
(5) reduced respiratory rate,
(6) global reduction in somatic (body) arousal, which indicates a more relaxed and balanced style of functioning,
(7) reduction of neuroendocrine correlates of drug abuse, and
(8) reduction of chronic stress.

The psychological benefits of the TM program include greater happiness and fulfilment in life. The TM technique also strengthens health by decreasing health-damaging habits such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol usage, and drug abuse, which are behavioural correlates of chronic stress.

The Floatation Tank Experience to Reduce Stress & Pain

Relaxation in a floatation tank brings peace and quiet, increased well-being, and reduced pain and stress. Floating is a method of attaining the deepest rest that humankind has ever experienced. You’ll be lying quietly in the dark, suspended in a solution of Epsom Salts, about 10 inches deep and so dense you float effortlessly. Get ready to experience the ultimate in relaxation – floating creates harmony and homeostasis in the body, balance between left and right brain, balance in the body’s skeletal and muscular systems and balance between mind, body and spirit.

To lie on your back in a float tank filled with salt water (Epsom Salts), induces extremely deep and pleasurable relaxation. It is dark and quiet in the tank, which enables maximum relaxation and well-being. To sink into deep relaxation, 45 minutes is a suitable length of time in the tank.

Patients with chronic muscle flexing pains in their neck who have been regularly treated with floatation-tank relaxation for three weeks experience a reduction in pain. After this treatment they also feel much happier and have less anxiety, alongside finding it easier to get to sleep at night. Blood samples taken before and after this period of treatment indicate that the count of stress-related hormones has declined. These studies have been carried out at the Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Karlstad University.

People in pain are not the only ones who can benefit from floating in a tank. Anyone looking for an environment that can help reduce stress or to create a moment of pleasant relaxation will find this technique helpful. It is extremely beneficial for the cancer survivor to spend some time by oneself in peace and quiet, to disconnect from the stress of the world and everyday life, and to disconnect from their body and the disease. Many people experience a pleasant state between dreaming and waking or a state of daydreaming and fantasy during their time in a floatation tank.

Relaxation in a floatation tank can become an alternative form of treatment to reduce stress or alleviate chronic pain, and is safe and entirely without side-effects. If you are unable to visit a floatation tank clinic, soak in a hot bath for 30 minutes with 250-500 grams Epsom Salts every day - this will reduce pain (many people have stopped taking morphine using this method), to help detox the body, and to reduce stress. Click here to find your local floatation tank centre.

Stress Cancer