A recent study conducted at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts reveals that cancer patients who write about their experiences may lessen their pain and agony.
Dr. M. Soledad Cepeda, who led the study, states that patients who spent twenty minutes per week writing about their physical and emotional experiences experienced a decrease in pain and an overall “greater well-being” in the longterm.
The research team believes that it is the “emotional release” that accompanies writing that aids the overall healing process. It also allows the patient to better express their needs to their physician.
The benefits of narrative or “emotional” writing have been a topic of psychological study for many years, and many cancer patients choose to implement “alternative” methods of treatment, including writing, massage, and aromatherapy into their overall treatment plan.
Related article courtesy of MSNBC.com.
For further reading related to the emotional effects of cancer, please visit the LIVESTRONG website.
Nicolette Kuff is a freelance writer from Upstate NY.
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1 user commented in " “Narrative Writing” May Ease Pain In Cancer Patients "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHi Nicolette, I am also upstate NY and I blog about natural ways to heal pain. I recently had a post on 5 writing exercises I found helpful in healing I would love to share with you: http://healpain.blogspot.com/2008/07/5-writing-exercises-to-help-heal-pain.html
I overcame chronic pain and 6 years of chronic illnesses using mind/body methods and now help others find natural ways to heal pain. Thanks for your excellent article. Gratefully, Jenny
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