Integrative Medicine and Serious Illness: What You Need to Know
If you or a loved one is living with a serious illness like cancer or Parkinson’s disease, you may have thought about trying a vitamin, herbal remedy, acupuncture, or other complementary therapy to support your care. This is called integrative medicine, which is when a complementary therapy is used alongside conventional medical treatments to help manage symptoms, improve quality of life, or feel more in control.
But with so many options available, how do you know what’s helpful, or safe, especially if you’re also taking medications or undergoing treatment? Here are six steps you can take to make informed, safe choices—along with how your palliative care team can help.
1. Talk to Your Care Team First
Before trying anything new, talk with your palliative care team or another health care provider (like your oncologist). They can help determine whether a product is safe for you, how it might interact with your treatments, and whether it’s likely to help with your symptoms.
Palliative care specialists focus on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life—and that includes helping you consider both medical and integrative options.
2. Start with a Goal
First, ask yourself: What symptom am I trying to treat?
Whether it’s pain, nausea, anxiety, or fatigue, having a goal helps you and your care team decide if integrative therapy is appropriate. While some products or therapies are supported by research, others may not be effective or could even be harmful.
3. “Natural” Doesn’t Always Mean “Safe”
Complementary therapies can include vitamins, herbs, acupuncture, massage, reiki, music therapy, and more. But just because something is labeled “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe for you.
Some therapies can interact with prescription medications, change how your body processes chemotherapy or other treatments, or cause side effects. Also, some supplements are not strictly regulated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness before they’re sold. Labels may be misleading, and some products could contain harmful ingredients.
4. Use Trusted Resources
There’s a lot of health advice online, some credible, some not. Make sure to follow evidence-based, science-backed websites when researching integrative products. We recommend the following websites, but make sure you check with your care team.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), a U.S. government website with research-based info on herbs, supplements, and therapies.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center “About Herbs” Database, a resource that’s especially helpful for patients living with cancer.
5. Keep a List of Everything You Take
Write down all your medications, vitamins, supplements, and anything else you’re taking, including anything bought online or at a health store. Share this list with all of your providers so they can catch potential interactions and keep your treatment plan safe.
6. Check What’s Covered (and What’s Not)
Many complementary therapies are not covered by insurance. For example, most supplements (including CBD and herbal remedies) are usually not covered. And therapies like acupuncture or massage may be covered depending on your insurance plan and the reason for use. Just make sure to check with your insurance provider to avoid any surprise costs!
The Bottom Line
Use trusted websites to do your research and always talk to your care team about what might be right for you.
Your palliative care team is here to help you make informed decisions that support your health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.
About GetPalliativeCare.org
GetPalliativeCare.org is an online resource for patients and families that focuses on providing information on palliative care from the point of diagnosis. At GetPalliativeCare.org, you can take a short quiz to see whether you could benefit from palliative care and find a nearby provider. The site is provided by the Center to Advance Palliative Care.
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Please note: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your health care provider before considering new treatments.
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