Yes, complementary therapy can help. When a patient is seriously ill it is only natural that they worry and become anxious both about themselves and their family. Complementary therapy in palliative care is designed to produce deep relaxation and alleviate stress and anxiety. This allows the patient to rest and helps to restore a calm state of mind.
A 36 year old woman with cancer of the pancreas said: “That was bliss – the treatment allows your body and mind to relax and gives peace, everything is all right.” The therapy treatment was reflexology with aromatherapy.
Is complementary therapy safe?
Yes, when the therapist is trained to the standard required by the National Guidelines for Complementary Therapies in Supportive and Palliative Care (2003) and works within those guidelines.
To protect the patient and ensure complete safety, therapists who work in clinical settings have to be trained to high standards and are members of professional associations. These organisations have up to date registers which require proof of training and annual continual professional development; this is similar to other clinical staff such as nurses and doctors. At this time, therapies such as aromatherapy, reflexology and clinical hypnotherapy are not regulated, but each discipline is working towards regulation.
Therapists are also required to work within the guiding principles set by the National Guidelines, which give clear instructions concerning therapy treatments. An example is that in an aromatherapy treatment in palliative care a 1per cent blend of essential oil is used. This is different from what would be used for a well person, where a blend of between 3 per cent and 5 per cent is used.
Should I ask my doctor before I have a complementary therapy treatment?
Yes, your doctor is your primary carer and may be able to recommend a therapist who meets the essential criteria as stated above.
Therapists who do not meet these criteria do not have the necessary qualifications, and may not have the knowledge and skill required to give complementary therapy treatments to palliative care patients, so may put them at risk.
For instance, lymphoedema is a condition caused by blocked lymph glands. This in turn produces a build up of lymph fluid, which causes swelling in the limb nearest the obstructed gland. Only a therapist with specialised training can provide lymphoedema management and at the present time this would be a physiotherapist.
This does not mean that complementary therapy is not suitable for a person with lymphoedema. The therapy treatment prescribed will be tailored to their needs and condition.
Are complementary therapies available on the NHS?
Not at this time.
The following information may be helpful:
Get Well UK is a company committed to conventional and complementary medicine, with practitioners working together for the benefit of patients.
Their website www.getwelluk.org includes a map which shows clinics in the UK offering complementary therapies free or at low cost. All clinics shown on the website have signed up to the Get Well Quality Statement, which they suggest you read.
How do I know which treatment to try?
In partnership with your therapist, a modified treatment which is designed for your individual needs will be planned. This treatment may involve between one to three therapies and should last approximately 30 minutes.
Examples of therapies provided by some of our Marie Curie Hospices are:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses the oils extracted from plants, flowers, trees, bushes and herbs. These oils give off fragrant aromas and are known as essential oils. They have many uses and can be used in baths, inhalations and massage.
Aromatherapy massage is the combination of massage with the medicinal properties of essential oils. It is thought that essential oils are absorbed through the skin during massage and also by inhalation through the nose.
Aromatherapy massage makes use of touch and smell and can help relieve anxiety and some types of pain.
Reflexology
Reflexology involves a method of treatment using massage to the reflex areas of the feet and sometimes the hands.
Reflexologists believe that for every body part, organ and gland there is a corresponding area on the foot and to a lesser degree the hand. By applying pressure to a particular area of the foot or hand, a response may be brought about within a specific part of the body.
Reflexology can be performed if the person is sitting or lying down. Only socks and shoes are removed and a very gentle pressure applied.
Reiki
Reiki means ‘universal energy’. Central to Reiki is the belief that this energy flows through all living things and is vital to wellbeing.
A Reiki treatment involves the therapist placing their hands either on or just above certain points of the body. Reiki practitioners believe energy then flows from the therapist through to the recipient according to recipient’s needs.
People often report a feeling of deep relaxation or a sense of emotional release. The person being treated remains fully clothed and may sit or lie down.
Relaxation
Relaxation therapy aims to promote a state of balance and peace. Relaxation methods are taught to groups of people by an experienced health professional. The techniques include relaxing groups of muscles, breathing exercises and imagining relaxing scenes.
Massage
This ancient art involves therapeutic stroking and kneading of the soft tissues of the body. There are many different massage techniques but those used in the hospice incorporate gentle movements over the skin and muscles to invite the body tissues to let go of tensions and strain, and to experience deep relaxation. The movements of therapeutic massage can be suited to individual needs. The touch does not have to be deep to be beneficial.
Massage treatment is often a safe form of touch for people who are uncomfortable with physical contact.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning ‘finger pressure’. It involves the therapist using fingers, thumbs, elbows and sometimes feet and knees to apply gentle pressure to key points in the body. Practitioners believe that this helps to stimulate energy flow.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a natural state of heightened awareness, where you are able to open your mind to beneficial suggestions to help make positive changes in your life.
The hypnotic state is similar to the warm, calm secure feelings that we often have as we drift off to sleep or as we slowly awake in the morning. Techniques range from simple relaxing visualisation to empowering people to take control through suggestion. The person will usually be able to recall the whole experience.
Indian head massage
Indian head massage is a technique which manipulates the soft tissue of the shoulders, arms, neck and scalp. It is believed that these are important energy centres in the body and treating these areas can benefit the whole body.
Patients say it can help to relieve stress and tension headaches and induce a state of calm, peace and tranquility.
Indian head massage is a safe and convenient therapeutic treatment that can be performed with the person in a seated position.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice involving the stimulation of special points on the body. It centres on the belief that energy flows through the body along channels. Practitioners believe that energy flow can be disturbed by many factors, and acupuncture aims to restore the flow so it moves in a smooth and balanced way.
By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, acupuncturists aim to stimulate the body's response and help to restore its natural balance. The needles are sterile and extremely fine; people are often unaware they have even been inserted.
Bowen Technique
This massage technique consists of a series of gentle rolling moves on the skin, or through light clothing, to detect areas of stress and tension. When a build up of stress is detected the therapist uses special Bowen massage moves to relieve it.
There are frequent pauses between each set of moves giving the body time to benefit. Bowen technique uses a light touch and is usually performed with the person lying on a treatment couch. The benefits may be immediate or occur in the days following treatment.
