Complementary Therapies General Information

Complementary Therapies General information

What are complementary therapies?

The philosophy of care at St Richard’s Hospice supports the use of complementary therapies in conjunction with other clinical services.

By choosing a therapy to suit their personal needs, many people can feel they regain some control over managing their health.

Complementary therapies do not cure and are not an alternative to conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and surgery. However, they do care for your emotional and psychological wellbeing, as well as your physical condition.

Complementary therapies may help: improve energy levels support with breathlessness reduce anxiety and stress

with relaxation improve mood aid sleep

with medication side effects The therapies described in this leaflet are available free of charge to patients that are supported by the hospice. This can be as an outpatient, a patient attending the therapeutic programme, or a patient on the In-patient unit. We can also accept appropriate referrals for carers or bereaved people.

Therapies are provided by fully trained staff and volunteers, with recognised qualifications and experience.

This is a confidential service and therapists adhere to their ethical code of practice. If you are interested in accessing complementary therapies, please speak to a member of the St Richard’s team involved in your care.

Informed consent before starting treatments Your therapist will discuss the treatment with you before asking you for verbal consent before your first treatment. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to ask your therapist for advice.

Types of therapy Massage and aromatherapy massage Massage therapy is the use of different techniques such as stroking, rolling, and kneading with suitable pressures applied to the skin and muscles to release tension. It aims to create a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. Aromatherapy massage uses therapeutic essential oils, with personalised blends created for each person.

Relaxation There are a variety of practices you can learn to help with relaxation.

These include simple breathing exercises, techniques to teach you how to recognise tension in your body, and how to use your imagination to take you somewhere you feel safe and relaxed.

Reflexology Reflexology is based on the principle that there are points on the soles, tops, and sides of the feet or hands which correspond to the different glands, organs, and parts of the body.

It involves applying specialised massage techniques to these specific reflexive points. The hands can be worked on in place of the feet.

Indian Head Massage This treatment involves massage to the upper back, shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. Oils are not used and you will remain comfortably seated and clothed.

‘M’ Technique® Using gentle, structured touch to the hands or feet, this therapy can aid relaxation and promote a feeling of calmness. It can be done through clothing, with or without cream or oils.

HEARTS Standing for hands-on, empathy, aromas, relaxation, textures, sounds, HEARTS is a therapy which draws on sensory experience to help bring about a state of relaxation. It can be used when touch therapies are not suitable.

Reiki Reiki is known as a therapeutic touch therapy and means “universal life force energy” - the energy which flows through all living things.

Reiki stimulates a response by affecting subtle energy fields within the body to help reduce pain, anxiety, promote relaxation and improve wellbeing.

How to comment on our services If you wish to comment on our care, please contact our Care Director via 01905 763963, or feedback@strichards.org.uk You can also write to Care Director, St Richard’s Hospice, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT. St Richard’s is regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

If you require this leaflet in another language or format please contact a member of the hospice team involved in your care.

St Richard’s Hospice, Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT. 01905 763963, enquiries@strichards.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 515668 Company Number: 01850502

Created September 2024