Complementary Therapies
April 9, 2017 2024-08-23 14:55Complementary Therapies
Therapies we provide
Oncology Massage
Oncology massage is the adaptation of existing massage therapy techniques in order to safely work with complications of cancer and cancer treatment.
Anyone who has ever received cancer treatment, from those in active treatment to those in recovery or beyond cancer treatment, as well as those at the end of life, are best served by someone trained in oncology massage.
A therapist trained in Oncology Massage will have an understanding of cancer, side effects of treatments and medications and how to adapt techniques to work safely with people at any stage of their cancer journey.
Body Massage
Body massage is one of the most well-known complementary therapies. One of the primary goals of this massage technique is to relax the entire body. It is also exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility whilst easing tension.
The Effect of Massage Therapy in Cancer Patients (1) concluded that massage therapy has beneficial effects in the short term the level of emotional well–being, physical and emotional discomfort, depressed mood, sleep patterns, stress and relaxation.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy is designed to help maintain physical, emotional and spiritual well-being by the correct application of pure essential oils.
The word ‘aroma’ means a fragrance or sweet smell and the word ‘therapy’ simply means a treatment designed to bring about a positive change in an individual, to help the body to help itself to regain health or well-being. Massage is used as a way for the oils to enter the body.
Boehm et al. (2) conducted a meta-analysis of 18 studies examining the effects of aromatherapy on the anxiety, depression, sleep, pain, and overall well-being of cancer patients. Overall, the study concluded that aromatherapy provides short-term benefits to cancer patients.
Reiki
Reiki is a form of complementary medicine and is sometimes classified as oriental medicine by some professional medical bodies.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self‐improvement and is a technique commonly called hands on healing.
Research looking at the effectiveness of complementary therapies versus a placebo (3) with patients suffering with chronic health conditions, showed that Reiki was found to be more effective than a placebo for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, and for improving self-esteem and quality of life. Reiki has the potential to provide valuable support for a broad range of chronic health conditions when implemented alongside all other medical and therapeutic techniques.
According to The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (4) Reiki very much improved physical and psychological symptoms associated with many health conditions, including affect, pain, depression, anxiety, tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, shortness of breath, appetite, and overall well-being. Reiki can provide immediate relief for many health conditions and is used for this purpose inside and outside of the hospital setting.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a manual therapy focusing on the feet. It’s suitable for all ages and may bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, such as: hormonal imbalances, menopause, back pain, migraines, headaches, sleep disorders, digestive problems, and circulatory problems, stress related disorders, anxiety, arthritis, multiple sclerosis.
The therapist applies pressure to the points on the feet using their thumb. The study by Özdelikara and Tan: Effect of Reflexology on Nausea, Vomiting and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients (5) concluded that reflexology decreased the experience, development, distress of nausea, vomiting, and retching as well as fatigue in the experimental group. Hence, the use of reflexology is recommended for chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.
An Integrative Review on the Effect of Reflexology on the Side Effect of Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients (6) showed that reflexology can reduce pain and increase physical function, balance, and quality of life in cancer patients.
Scar Tissue Therapy
Scar Tissue Therapy is a very gentle form of massage that uses techniques to improve the appearance and function of scar tissue, reduce tension within the scar, improve blood flow to support healing, and reduce pain, discomfort and restrictions in the immediate and surrounding areas of the body where surgery has taken place.
Scar tissue has different properties to our other soft tissue and it behaves differently. As wounds heal, the damaged tissue is replaced by a denser, stronger and less elastic scar tissue. In many cases this scar tissue will restrict movement and create discomfort in the surrounding areas of the body. Underneath the surface, scar tissue often attaches itself to other structures and organs and these adhesions can cause ongoing problems that are unrelated to the original surgery or accident.
The techniques used at Together Against Cancer are by practitioners trained in Sharon Wheelers ScarWork. Scars of any age can be worked on and we advise clients to undergo a course of multiple treatments to see maximum cosmetic and functional benefits.
At least 10 weeks or approval from a consultant is required before treatment can commence on scars linked to surgery. An evaluation of a ScarWork service for cancer survivors experiencing adverse effects of surgery and/or radiotherapy (7), suggests that this intervention may have potential beneficial effects on scar related symptoms both physical and psychosocial experienced by cancer survivors.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
EFT is based on a group of techniques collectively known as Energy Psychology. These techniques are based on the body’s energy system, and originally stem from the practice of acupuncture. These tried and tested techniques are designed to rapidly clear emotional issues.
Research (8) on EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) reported that participants experienced significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, as well as in pain levels and cravings. They also reported improvements in happiness.
Hydroxy Therapy
Hydroxy is a novel medical gas formed of a gaseous mixture of Hydrogen, Oxygen & ExW, the key nutrients for all ‘water-based’ life. The Osmio Infinity Gas/Water Production Electrolysis System creates Hydroxy from water and is recognised to have hugely therapeutic benefits. Hydroxy gives true hydration and contains a trifecta of nutrients for the body. Regular inhalation can help to regulate and restore the body back to its natural state, which can help to significantly improve a wide range of symptoms.
The Infinity machine generates a high energy bio-available gas called Hydroxy (aka Brown’s Gas, BG, HHO or OxyHydrogen). Hydroxy is able to reach every cell in a body and provide nutrition and relief of issues related to dehydration through direct inhalation during sleep and relaxation. It can also be spot applied to the skin to target a specific area or its Hydroxy-infused ‘super water’ can be drank.
With the support of Hydrowerks (our supplier) we provide weekly, and in some cases, daily, sessions to cancer patients to improve quality of life. Great success has been noted with increased energy and better sleep being the two most common effects.
1. Alves M, Jardim HG, Gomes B. The Effect of Massage Therapy in Cancer Patients, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317149970 2. Boehm K, Büssing A, Ostermann T. Aromatherapy as an adjuvant treatment in cancer care–a descriptive systematic review. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2012;9(4):503-518. Published 2012 Jul 1. doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v9i4.7 3. McManus DE. Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):1051-1057. doi:10.1177/2156587217728644 4. Natalie L. Dyer, Ann L. Baldwin, and William L. Rand.The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Dec 2019.1156-1162.http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0022 5. Özdelikara A, Tan M. The Effect of Reflexology on Chemotherapy-induced Nausea, Vomiting, and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2017;4(3):241-249. doi:10.4103/apjon.apjon_15_17 6. Gholamzadeh H, Ilkhani M, Ameri A, Shakeri N. Effect of Reflexology on the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Cancer Patients: An Integrative Review: https://ebcj.mums.ac.ir/article_11815.html 7. Beverley de Valois, Teresa Young, Clare Scarlett, Emma Holly, An evaluation of a ScarWork service for cancer survivors experiencing adverse effects of surgery and/or radiotherapy, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876382021000457 8. Bach D, Groesbeck G, Stapleton P, Sims R, Blickheuser K, Church D. Clinical EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) Improves Multiple Physiological Markers of Health. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019;24:2515690X18823691. doi:10.1177/2515690X18823691
