Complementary Therapy in the Palliative Care Setting

Physiologically it has been suggested that caring touch helps the flow of blood and lymph around the body. Studies have shown that touch can aid to decrease blood pressure and heart rate, soothe nerves and decrease tension, promoting relaxation and a state of well-being which may stimulate the production of the brain’s chemicals that function as natural painkillers reducing pain and producing a state of mind akin to euphoria. This may prevent the likelihood of succumbing to everyday illness and effects of modern-day stress. A balanced state of mind promotes vitality and a greater ability to cope with potentially difficult events.

 

Complementary practitioners can offer valuable support from the point of diagnosis, immediately after surgery and throughout chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Once treatments have finished, complementary therapy can aid recovery, help to renew energy and motivate people to take responsibility for their well-being.

 

Complementary therapy offers a drug free solution to reduce side effects such as pain, nausea and lethargy associated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and may help to reduce hot flushes in hormone therapy.

 

Complementary therapy restores and balances energy levals and triggers the relaxation response easing stress and tension in the body and mind and encouraging restful sleep.

 

Complementary therapy facilitates emotional release without the need to ask searching questions, helping to reduce levels of fear and anxiety, dissipate anger and frustration and assist the grieving process.

 

Complementary therapeutic massage therapies can help facilitate the removal of lymph helping to minimise the risk of lymphoedema. It can assist  with the process of detoxification process as well as helping to restore the hormonal balance in hormone related cancers.

 

Complementary therapeutic massage combined with physical therapy can help encourage correct posture, breathing, stretching and exercise as well as help stimulate the immune response.  It can help improve the circulation and enhance well-being.

 

Complementary therapy awakens the spirit and inspires hope for the future. It can help people get back in control, encouraging self-management to empower people to take responsibility for their healing and well-being, thereby improving their quality of life. 

 

The role of the practitioner

All health professionals have a duty of care, ethically, morally and professionally to provide only safe and effective treatments. Therefore, like all forms of medical treatment, the chosen pathway(s) should be justified and based on clinical research evidence. A growing body of evidence-based research in the support of complementary therapies is available on The Research Council For Complementary Medicine website evidence-based clinical research.

 

The No. 1 Pain Relief Clinic uses Complementary therapy to help relieve pain which may be caused by a variety of physiological or psychological conditions. This is then supplemented by other forms of treatment alongside current evidence based research to support its use for pain relief to provide a more enhanced comprehensive holistic approach.

 

If you would like further information on the specific benefits and role of The role of Complementary Therapy In the Palliative Cancer Care Setting please feel free to contact the clinic to discuss your health issues confidentially with one of our therapists.