Palliative & Oncology Massage
Palliative & Oncology Massage and
Massage for Chronic Conditions
I am trained in delivering safe and effective massage treatments to people with a range of life limiting and long term chronic conditions and I have spent the last few years working with patients and carers at St Christopher’s Hospice.
I carefully adapt my massage techniques to suit each person's current state of health and I always ensure maximum comfort and relaxation by using a variety of pillows, bolsters, a couch or chair - whatever is most suitable and comfortable for each individual. The treatment can be received through clothing or using an oil, sitting or lying down and is always a very gentle & relaxing form of massage.
More and more people are recognising the benefits of Complementary Therapy, when used alongside conventional medicine, to help provide relief from the physical and emotional side effects of a chronic condition or illness.
Up until fairly recently it was believed that massage may be harmful to someone with an illness such as cancer, through fear of spreading it, but medical research has proved that this is rarely the case and that massage, when adapted and given by a clinically trained therapist, can be very comforting and beneficial to someone's physical and psychological wellbeing.
My Background in Palliative Massage
My journey towards working with people living with a chronic illness began over 10 years ago when I started giving regular leg and foot massage to a lady with terminal lung cancer, a humbling and rewarding experience, that reinforced my belief that the power of compassionate touch should not be underestimated. The simple massages that I gave my client helped to improve her mobility and reduce the physical discomfort, stiffness and numbness caused by the limited circulation in her legs. The treatments also gave her a chance to relax and unwind and, just as importantly, they gave her a chance to look forward and focus on something other than her illness. A chronic illness can sometimes feel all consuming and something as simple as a massage may help people to regain a sense of themselves and to help identify as someone separate from the illness that they are having to live with every day.
I subsequently underwent specialised massage training for people in palliative care and I am experienced in giving safe massage treatments to people with cancer, heart conditions, pulmonary disease, neurological illnesses and other chronic conditions. People with complex health conditions are often unable to be treated by a conventional massage therapist due to contraindications for therapists not clinically trained - which can be very frustrating for clients living with an illness as massage can be really beneficial for them in many ways.
The gentle massage treatments I offer can help to alleviate some of the physical symptoms that accompany a chronic condition as well as some of the side effects caused by treatments and medications such as pins and needles in the hands and feet, oedema, tension headaches, constipation, muscle spasms, numbness, shortness of breath, tight shoulders and back pain.
Combatting Stress
Massage can also play a valuable part in combatting the stress that an illness can cause - a gentle massage is relaxing and soothing and it can put us in a calmer and more positive frame of mind. When relaxed and calm our immune system gets a boost, stress hormones are reduced and endorphins are released, all of which can help to reduce some of the physical and psychological discomfort caused by an illness and it’s side effects.
Massage for Carers
I also provide treatments to carers, often a family member or friend, who can feel quite isolated and overwhelmed in their role as carer. An illness often doesn't just affect one person and a carer can find themselves under significant physical and emotional strain caring for their loved one. A massage treatment can provide the relaxation and 'me time' that a carer often needs, a chance to recharge their batteries and re-gain a sense of self which can sometimes feel a bit lost when caring for someone with a long term illness.
I am able to teach simple and safe massage techniques to carers should they wish to incorporate gentle massage into the care that they provide.
Appointments For Palliative Massage
If you are interested in finding out more about these types of treatments please call me to discuss, or send an email.
Prior to booking an appointment I will need to ask for details of any current medical conditions and possible contraindications to massage, and a detailed medical health assessment will need to be completed prior to the first treatment to ensure that the treatment is suitable and safe.
In some cases, I may need a consent letter from your GP or consultant confirming that the massage treatment can go ahead.
I am able to offer alternative forms of complementary therapy (such as Reiki or relaxation sessions) in circumstances where massage is unsuitable. However, the massage can often go ahead as if the main area of concern can't be treated directly, other areas of the body can be relaxed through massage to help alleviate discomfort.