Prospective treatment approaches manage metastatic cancer pain, indicating the potential of integrative therapies in palliative settings.
Integrative therapies play a significant role in supporting the immune system and managing pain, which are critical components of palliative care for metastatic cancer patients. In this study, we present a perspective from an oncology setting in India, where an integrative medicine palliative care protocol is implemented. Recognizing the limitations and side effects associated with conventional pharmacological interventions, our protocol integrates complementary therapies such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, biologicals, hydrotherapy, heat therapies, and mind–body techniques alongside traditional treatments. These integrative approaches offer alternative options for managing metastatic cancer pain. Through sharing our protocol and an overview of the evidence behind this protocol, we aim to provide insights into alternative options for palliative care providers and advocate for further research in integrative medicine. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on holistic approaches to pain management, emphasizing the importance of exploring diverse therapeutic modalities to meet the complex needs of cancer patients.
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Nair et al. (2026) studied this question.
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