Individual therapies

After a consultation, which may include tongue and pulse analysis, the practitioner gently positions sterile needles into acupuncture points on your body.

The needles are left in place for 30 seconds to 30 minutes and may be stimulated manually by twirling or by using a machine (called electro-acupuncture). You may feel a tingling or dull ache, but it shouldn’t be painful.

Some acupuncturists use: 

• press needles – small labels that stay in place for several days
• laser acupuncture – using laser light to stimulate acupuncture points.

Some people may bruise or bleed around the insertion point.

Check with your doctor whether acupuncture is suitable for you, as penetration of the skin barrier by needles may increase the risk of infection or bleeding for some people having cancer treatment.

For more about what to expect during an acupuncture session, visit Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.

International clinical guidelines recommend acupuncture for:

• joint pain related to using aromatase inhibitors
• an option for managing cancer pain and musculoskeletal pain
• tingling in the hands and feet from chemotherapy (peripheral neuropathy)
• cancer-related fatigue, and
• hot flushes.

Evidence also suggests that acupuncture may help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, with trouble sleeping and with anxiety. It is not clear whether it helps relieve dry mouth, but several studies are underway.

In Australia, use of the term acupuncturist is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia (CMBA).

To check whether your acupuncturist is registered, visit Ahpra. Some registered acupuncturists have special training in treating cancer-related conditions. Ask your doctor whether acupuncture is offered at your treatment centre.

With the support of an art therapist, you can create any type of art: drawing, painting, collage, sculpture or digital work. Some cancer centres run art therapy programs.

Art therapy may be done individually or in a group. You don’t need to be “good” at art. The focus is on the process of making artwork, not the result.

There is some evidence art therapy can help with symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression and improve quality of life.

Anecdotal reports suggest it improves coping skills and emotional wellbeing.

According to Chinese medicine, everyone has a vital energy or force in the body known as qi (pronounced “chee”).

When you are healthy, qi flows easily through the body’s meridians (channels). If the flow of qi becomes blocked, the body’s harmony and balance is affected, causing disease.

Qi is made up of two opposite but complementary forces known as Yin, represented by water, and Yang, by fire.

Yin and Yang are believed to be in everything and the balance between them maintains harmony in your body, mind and the universe.

Chinese medicine uses the theory of 5 elements – fire, earth, metal, water and wood. These elements relate to particular organs and tissues in the body.

A practitioner will ask you questions and do a physical examination, which may include looking at your tongue and taking your pulse. Treatment is individual and may include a combination of therapies.

To learn more about what Chinese medicine is and what to expect during a Chinese medicine consultation, visit the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia’s (CMBA) website.

A practitioner will choose a combination of herbs and foods with the aim of bringing your body back into balance.

They may make a formula tailored to you, or dispense herbal medicines pre-packaged as granules, pills or raw herbs to be made into a tea.

Many Chinese herbs have been scientifically evaluated for how well they work for people with cancer. Studies have found benefits for some herbs. For example, American ginseng has shown benefits for cancer-related fatigue.

Research is continuing to examine the benefits of different herbs and different herbal combinations.

Chinese herbal medicine is a complex area and you should see a registered Chinese medicine practitioner rather than treating yourself.

See Safety concerns for tips on using herbs and visit Ahpra to check your practitioner is registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.

Sessions may be face-to-face, over the phone or online. There are different types including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), grief therapy, life coaching, acceptance and commitment therapy, and person-centred therapy.

Ask the therapist about their approach to see if it suits you. Counselling can be for you, or for family and friends affected by cancer.

There is strong evidence that counselling can help to manage distress, fear and can improve quality of life.

There is good evidence that psychological therapies such as CBT can help reduce a range of concerns, including anxiety and depression, cancer-related fatigue and insomnia.

Specific therapies (including CBT) for managing the fear of recurrence have shown some benefits.

Similar to a counselling session, you may be asked about problems you’re having and how you feel about or respond to certain situations.

The therapist may suggest a single essence for you. Or they may prepare a blend of essences (remedy) that is tailored specifically for you. You then take the essence, usually in water, several times a day.

Always check what’s in the remedy (the name may not include the ingredients) and discuss with your cancer care team before taking it.

Some herbs may interact with some cancer treatments and medicines, and cause side effects. See Safety concerns for tips on using herbs safely.

Scientific evidence does not support the use of flower remedies for treating diseases. However, anecdotal reports suggest they may help reduce fear and distress.

Healing touch can be done while you are sitting, lying down or standing. The therapist may perform a meditation and then move their hands over your body.

There is no scientific evidence of energy fields or that healing touch has any medical benefit. Some people find healing touch relaxing.

A trained therapist will ask you about your current health and medical history and discuss your reasons for having hypnotherapy.

They will then guide you into a deeply relaxed state, known as an altered state of consciousness.

In this relaxed state, your subconscious can focus on your treatment goals, making them more achievable for your conscious mind.

Clinical studies show that hypnotherapy can help people cope with pain, anxiety, fatigue, hot flushes and nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatment.

Massage is usually done in a warm, quiet room while you lie on a massage table or sit in a chair. The therapist uses a variety of strokes on different parts of the body.

In people with cancer, therapists may adjust their pressure and avoid certain areas of the body.

Some styles of massage are done with you fully clothed; others require you to undress to your underwear so the therapist can use oil to move their hands over your skin more easily.

The therapist may place pillows under different parts of your body for support. Let the therapist know if you need a change in pressure or a blanket.

Many scientific studies have shown that oncology massage may help manage stress, anxiety, pain, depression, fatigue and insomnia in people who have had chemotherapy or surgery for cancer.

There is no evidence that medicinal cannabis can treat or cure cancer. Research studies have looked at the potential benefits of using medicinal cannabis to relieve cancer symptoms and treatment side effects.

There is some evidence it may help people with certain symptoms and side effects (e.g. nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy) if conventional nausea treatment doesn’t work.

To date, published studies have shown medicinal cannabis to have little effect on appetite, weight, pain or sleep problems. Research is continuing in these areas.

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Australia when prescribed by a medical practitioner registered to prescribe it.

Most medicinal cannabis products in Australia are unapproved, meaning that your doctor must get approval from the government before prescribing.

If your doctor doesn’t prescribe medicinal cannabis, they may still support your decision to use it, so tell them if you get a cannabis prescription elsewhere.

The laws about access to medicinal cannabis vary in each state and territory, which may affect whether it can be prescribed for you.

The TGA allows low-dose CBD products (up to 150 mg of CBD a day) to be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and sold over the counter by pharmacists.

At the time of publication (December 2025), no product has been approved via this pathway.

Medicinal cannabis may interact with some medicines and affect your driving. Visit the TGA for information.

Mindfulness can be practised sitting, standing or lying down. An instructor will support you to focus attention in a mindful way.

This could be through following a series of exercises that focus on breathwork and calming the mind.

There is good evidence to show that MBSR can lower the levels of stress hormones in your body, which can assist in healing and improve immune function.

Clinical practice guidelines include MBSR as an option for managing cancer-related fatigue.

Studies on mindfulness show it helps improve the quality of life of people with cancer, increases coping, and can reduce pain, anxiety, depression and nausea.

You don’t need to be musical to take part or benefit. The structure of the session depends on the needs of the participants and what you feel comfortable with.

You may play instruments, sing, write lyrics, or listen to music and discuss how it affects you. Music therapy may be done in a group or one-on-one with a therapist.

Some evidence-based studies show music therapy can improve anxiety, depression, fatigue and quality of life in people with cancer.

Wear comfortable clothes. The session starts with warm-up exercises to loosen the body. The instructor then guides you through a series of slow movements, to help you become more aware of your energy.

Classes may also include meditation while lying down, sitting, standing or walking.

Clinical studies suggest that qi gong improves quality of life and reduces fatigue, pain and anxiety. Anecdotal reports suggest that it helps improve general fitness.

During a reiki session, you sit or lie down fully clothed. The therapist places their hands in a series of positions on or slightly above your body. The aim is to promote wellbeing.

There is no reliable scientific evidence that reiki has any benefits.

Anecdotal reports suggest that reiki may be calming and relaxing for some people, and other anecdotal reports claim that it may be helpful in relieving pain and anxiety, reducing stiffness and improving posture.

In a typical session, you’ll lie down comfortably while a practitioner plays instruments like singing bowls or gongs – often close to your body.

Sometimes centres may offer sessions using recorded “frequency” music. The sounds and vibrations surround you and may encourage deep relaxation.

Scientific studies show that sound therapy may help with anxiety and depression, improve sleep and reduce fatigue. Research also suggests that it may promote relaxation and stress relief.

During class there will be serene music playing. The class usually starts with warm-up exercises. You will be shown different moves and assisted to perform them.

The instructor may use names to describe the poses, for example, “white crane spreads its wings”. Movements start out simple and gradually get harder, with many parts of the body needing to move to achieve the pose.

The class ends with cooling down and relaxation.

Studies have shown that tai chi can improve quality of life, balance, agility, flexibility and muscle tone in cancer survivors.

While there is less certainty, some studies suggest that tai chi may also help reduce fatigue, anxiety, depression and stress.

Bush medicines can be meaningful and supportive, but some may also interact with cancer treatments or interfere with medicines. It’s possible they may also cause side effects or affect your cancer treatment outcomes.

Although herbs and plants may be natural, they still need to be used with care. See Safety concerns for more on this.

Bush medicine is not a replacement for conventional medical treatment. Tell your health care team about traditional practices that you plan to try.

Being honest about what you want to try helps ensure your care is safe, respectful, and aligned with your values.

If you want to use bush medicine, discuss this with a traditional healer, an Aboriginal Health Worker or an Elder. They can guide you on culturally safe practices and help you to communicate with other members of your medical team.

There are many nations and traditions amongst First Nations peoples, so therapies vary depending on whose country you live on. Try to connect with local health workers and providers to get the best knowledge and support.

Access traditional healing through:

• community healing centres (e.g. Akeyulerre in Alice Springs)
• Ngangkari healers, who offer spiritual and physical healing in some hospitals and clinics
• local Aboriginal Medical Services, which may provide bush medicine workshops or referrals.

After asking you some questions, the practitioner puts together a holistic picture of your health.

They will look for underlying reasons for your ill health or symptoms, and provide a herbal mixture aimed at addressing the causes and symptoms of your illness.

The practitioner may give you a pre-made herbal formula, but more often they will prepare a blend of herbs specifically for your needs.

Herbal medicines can be prepared:

• as liquid extracts, usually taken with water
• as herbs that are made into a tea or infusion
• as creams applied to the body;
• or as tablets or capsules.

Western herbal medicines are usually made from herbs traditionally grown in Europe and North America, but some come from Asia.

There is a wide body of research into the effectiveness and safety of many herbs, and some studies show promising results.

Speak to your doctor, pharmacist and herbal medicine practitioner about the potential benefits and side effects of any herbal preparations.