Alternative medicine

No complementary or alternative medicine treatments can cure mouth cancer. But complementary and alternative medicine treatments may help you cope with mouth cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment, such as fatigue.

Many people undergoing cancer treatment experience fatigue. Your doctor can treat underlying causes of fatigue, but the feeling of being utterly worn out may persist despite treatments. Complementary therapies can help you cope with fatigue.

Ask your doctor about trying:

• Exercise. Try gentle exercise for 30 minutes on most days of the week. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, during and after cancer treatment reduces fatigue. Talk to your doctor before you begin exercising, to make sure it's safe for you.
• Massage therapy. During a massage, a massage therapist uses his or her hands to apply pressure to your skin and muscles. Some massage therapists are specially trained to work with people who have cancer. Ask your doctor for names of massage therapists in your community.
• Relaxation. Activities that help you feel relaxed may help you cope. Try listening to music or writing in a journal.
• Acupuncture. During an acupuncture session, a trained practitioner inserts thin needles into precise points on your body. Some acupuncturists are specially trained to work with people with cancer. Ask your doctor to recommend someone in your community.