Your cancer support centre’s have a range of different complementary therapies, including;
Reflexology
Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure and massaging certain areas of the hands and feet. The aim is to encourage healing and relieve stress and tension. It is also used to improve general health and well-being.
Reflexology treatment is based on the principle that certain areas of the feet – called reflexes – are linked to other areas on the body through the nervous system. The arrangement of the reflexes has a direct relationship to the area of the body they affect.
Reiki
Reiki is very relaxing and can be used for people who are not fit enough to receive a massage or any other touch remedies. The client remains fully clothed while Reiki is performed, usually by lightly touching various parts of the body, but it can also be performed with no physical contact at all.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy massage makes use of the senses of touch and smell. Our therapists use a mix of essential oils, together with a carrier oil, tailored to you. The treatment aims to restore the balance of the body whilst giving you time to relax. Aromatherapists will choose an oil, or a mixture of oils, according to your individual physical and emotional needs. These are mixed and then can be used during massage, added to a bath, or evaporated through an oil burner.
Massage
Most people find massages to be a peaceful and relaxing way to feel comfortable and help combat tiredness. Massage works by applying pressure to the body’s muscles or joints, helping to soothe stiffness and improve circulation. The regular strokes can also make you feel much more relaxed. If you have recently had surgery on your underarm lymph nodes, it is advised not to have any deep tissue massages around that area.
It is also important to know that during your radiotherapy treatment any areas being treated should not be massaged.
Yoga & meditation
Yoga and Meditation can be used to help you feel more relaxed and in control of your body. Using concentration or reflection can help to deeply relax and calm your mind, and meditation can help to reduce feelings of fear, pain, anxiety and depression. Regular sessions of meditation can help you to feel more at ease and in control of your life. Studies also show that meditation can help with stress levels and blood pressure.
Yoga is a great way of helping you get back into gentle fitness. It uses gentle, controlled, low-impact movements combined with breathing exercises to help your body relax. Yoga can also help cancer patients with sleep problems and help you to feel less fatigued.
Look great, feel great
Some of our Centres offer relaxing and gentle facials. This can help with circulation as well as brightening your skin, in turn making you feel more comfortable and boosting your confidence. Our facials can all help you to feel more you and increase your self-confidence. Our specialist beauticians can advise you about what is safe to use throughout your cancer treatments and how to help you look your best.
As a therapist at the Chandler’s Ford Support Centre, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that therapy can make. Cancer can be a very practical process. Health professionals do an amazing job of diagnosing and treating it, but sometimes the emotional effects can be overlooked. There’s still a stigma that we should just be able to ‘get on with it’. We’re here to help with that emotional journey, as well as providing some physical relief. Complementary therapies can help you relax, relieve anxiety, increase confidence and boost mood. Coming in for a therapy also means you’ve entered a safe haven where you can relax, switch off and put yourself first.
Charlie, Support Centre Therapist