Dietary education Where appropriate, this is given by a unit dietitian. Together with the occupational therapy and behaviourial programme, this may take the form of weight-reduction diets or weight-increasing diets where necessary.

Supervised use of medication This is available where appropriate. This may be necessary to combat some associated depression or to modify specific physical problems such as muscle spasms.

If necessary, where drug abuse is a problem, the clinical director will supervise programmed withdrawals from narcotics and analgesics. The unit will also be involved in such situations.

Physical treatments The treatments available to the patients in the pain unit, include acupuncture, laser acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and magnetic field therapy. The physiotherapist supervises these therapies and provides other physiotherapy treatments where indicated.

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If you’re having chemotherapy, visualise the drug coming into your body and entering your bloodstream. Picture it acting like a poison, selectively acting on the weaker cancer cells.

The normal cells are intelligent and strong and don’t take up the poison so readily. The cancer cell absorbs the poison, dies, and is flushed out of your body.

2. Imagine your body’s white blood cells coming into the area where the cancer is, recognising the abnormal cells and destroying them. You have a vast army of white blood cells which are very strong, aggressive, and very smart. There’s no contest between them and the cancer cells. They will always win.

3. See the cancer shrinking. See the dead cells being carried away by the white blood cells and being flushed from your body through the liver and’ kidneys and eliminated in the urine and stools.

This is what you expect to happen. Continue to see the cancer shrinking until it’s all gone. See yourself having more energy and a better appetite and being able to feel more comfortable and loved in your family as the cancer shrinks and finally disappears.

4. If you’re experiencing pain anywhere in your body, picture the army of white blood cells flowing into that area, carrying potent pain-killers with them, which can soothe the pain.

Whatever the problem, give your body the command to heal itself. Visualise your body becoming well.

5. Imagine yourself well, free of disease and full of energy.

6. Picture yourself positively reaching your goals in life. Remember that having strong reasons for being well will definitely help you get well. So, focus clearly on your priorities in life.

7. Give yourself a mental pat on the back for participating in your recovery.

8. Then let the muscles in your eyelids prepare to allow your eyes to open. Open your eyes and look around you.

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Picture the beautiful clear, blue sky with fluffy little white clouds drifting lazily by. . . Let yourself feel the soothing, penetrating warmth of the sun. . .

Tell yourself that your mind and body feel completely relaxed and perfectly at ease. You feel peaceful, relaxed, comfortable, calm, so at ease, at peace with the universe, so relaxed……You are feeling relaxed, peaceful, lazy, tranquil, calm and comfortable. Your mind and body are completely relaxed…..You are completely relaxed, calm, peaceful, tranquil, flowing with the universe. Now, as you open your eyes, let yourself continue to feel relaxed and yet perfectly alert, peaceful and normal again. Open your eyes.

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The disadvantage is that the patient may have to return for treatment either on a twice-weekly or daily basis for a minimum of ten to fifteen treatments before any results are obtained.

The magnetic field machines are available from several medical practitioners and from some physiotherapists in all states of Australia. Several chiropractors have also installed the devices in their rooms, recognising the safety and convenience of the treatment.

When performed by medical practitioners, magnetic field therapy is usually classified as either a ‘physical treatment’ in which case there is no medical rebate or refund, or as a ‘consultation’ providing that the doctor spends some time with the patient during each treatment.

In these circumstances, the treatment cost ranges from approximately $10 to $15 for each session with a medical rebate of approximately $10 for each treatment.

Portable magnetic field devices incorporated into blankets are now available in Australia at a cost of between $300 and $600 or can be rented for about $30 per month.

Relaxation training and biofeedback

These psychological therapies are available from trained practitioners, usually medical practitioners or clinical psychologists.

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