Could jumping on a mini-trampoline cure cancer?

Bouncing for recovery
Could jumping on a trampoline cure cancer? That is exactly what blogger Chris Wark claimed when he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in 2003 and decided to forgo chemo and radiation after his surgery. His weaponry included a diet consisting of only fresh organic produce and jumping on a mini-trampoline three times a day for 20 minutes at a time. He’s been jumping ever since, boasting a clean bill of health. Some say that it was the surgery that rid Chris of cancer, and oncologists warn that there is no evidence that patients diagnosed with cancer should forgo standard treatment and play Russian roulette with their health. They do, however, support the notion of exercise in general being especially important for a person fighting cancer. They also encourage the inclusion of regular exercise as part of a post-treatment regime to promote general well-being and strengthen immunity.

The ideal exercise for people with cancer
Did you know that rebounding (exercising on a mini-trampoline) is more effective for fitness and weight loss than cycling, running, and jogging and that you are prone to fewer injuries? It conditions the whole body, is gentle on the joints, adds to bone density, and is good for the heart. In fact, some studies have proven that 20 minutes of jumping could equal one hour of running.

Read that again.

All these factors make rebounding one of the safest and most effective exercises for people undergoing cancer treatment.

Leaping towards reaping the benefits
One of the options to treat cancer is immunotherapy. There are several different types, but it boils down to using a person’s immune system to identify, attack, and destroy cancerous cells. According to studies, a mere two minutes of jumping triples your number of white blood cells. That is why doctors encourage cancer patients to gently bounce for two minutes every hour, if possible. Low-intensity bouncing includes bouncing without lifting your feet or even just sitting on the trampoline if you are unable to stand or jump.

Interesting fact
Lymphatic flow can only be activated by muscle movement. Rebounding has proven to be one of the best ways to do so, thereby aiding your immune system to filter and clear toxins and other harmful substances more effectively and improve your immunity.

You can also work out for longer periods compared to other forms of cardiovascular exercise, as it prevents excessive pressure on your joints.

Perhaps even more importantly: it’s fun! Blast your favourite music, watch Netflix or chat on the phone (as one of my friends prefers) while bouncing and you’ll be amazed how time flies. Start slowly and see if you can work up to 20 minutes, five times a week. If you have time constraints, break it up into two or more sessions a day, but know that just a few minutes are still beneficial.

What are you waiting for?
The long and the short of it: as with any form of exercise, consult your doctor before you start leaping away. But if you do get the green light, rebounding could most definitely add a new spring to your step by strengthening immunity, promoting lymph drainage, and making you stronger and fitter in your quest to recovery. Happy jumping!

Sources:
Brooks, Linda. 2003. ‘Rebounding and Your Immune System.’ Vitally Yours Press. 96 pages.
https://www.live5news.com/story/25531711/blogger-claims-he-beat-cancer-by-jumping-on-a-trampoline/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/11582-immunotherapy
https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/lymphatic-system
https://www.orientalremediesgroup.com/exercises-for-cancer-patients-its-more-important-than-you-think/