Complementary Therapies Generalinformation
What are complementary therapies?
ThephilosophyofcareatStRichard’sHospicesupportstheuseof complementarytherapiesinconjunctionwithotherclinicalservices.
Bychoosingatherapytosuittheirpersonalneeds,manypeoplecan feeltheyregainsomecontrolovermanagingtheirhealth.
Complementarytherapiesdonotcureandarenotanalternativeto conventionaltherapiessuchaschemotherapyandsurgery.However, theydocareforyouremotionalandpsychologicalwellbeing,aswell asyourphysicalcondition.
Complementarytherapiesmayhelp: improveenergylevels supportwithbreathlessness reduceanxietyandstress withmedicationsideeffects
withrelaxation improvemood aidsleep
Thetherapiesdescribedinthisleafletareavailablefreeofchargeto patientsthataresupportedbythehospice.Thiscanbeasan outpatient,apatientattendingthetherapeuticprogramme,ora patientontheIn-patientunit.Wecanalsoacceptappropriate referralsforcarersorbereavedpeople.
Therapiesareprovidedbyfullytrainedstaffandvolunteers,with recognisedqualificationsandexperience.
Thisisaconfidentialserviceandtherapistsadheretotheirethical codeofpractice.Ifyouareinterestedinaccessingcomplementary therapies,pleasespeaktoamemberoftheStRichard’steam involvedinyourcare.
Informedconsentbeforestartingtreatments
Yourtherapistwilldiscussthetreatmentwithyoubeforeaskingyou forverbalconsentbeforeyourfirsttreatment.Ifyouhaveanyqueries, pleasedonothesitatetoaskyourtherapistforadvice.
Typesoftherapy
Massageandaromatherapymassage
Massagetherapyistheuseofdifferenttechniquessuchasstroking, rolling,andkneadingwithsuitablepressuresappliedtotheskinand musclestoreleasetension.Itaimstocreateasenseofrelaxation andwellbeing.Aromatherapymassageusestherapeuticessential oils,withpersonalisedblendscreatedforeachperson.
Relaxation
Thereareavarietyofpracticesyoucanlearntohelpwithrelaxation. Theseincludesimplebreathingexercises,techniquestoteachyou howtorecognisetensioninyourbody,andhowtouseyour imaginationtotakeyousomewhereyoufeelsafeandrelaxed.
Reflexology
Reflexologyisbasedontheprinciple thattherearepointsonthesoles, tops,andsidesofthefeetorhands whichcorrespondtothedifferent glands,organs,andpartsofthe body.
Itinvolvesapplyingspecialised massagetechniquestothese specificreflexivepoints.Thehands canbeworkedoninplaceofthefeet.
IndianHeadMassage
Thistreatmentinvolvesmassagetotheupperback,shoulders,upper arms,neck,scalp,faceandears.Oilsarenotusedandyouwill remaincomfortablyseatedandclothed.
‘M’Technique®
Usinggentle,structuredtouchtothehandsorfeet,thistherapycan aidrelaxationandpromoteafeelingofcalmness.Itcanbedone throughclothing,withorwithoutcreamoroils.
HEARTS
Standingforhands-on,empathy,aromas,relaxation,textures, sounds,HEARTSisatherapywhichdrawsonsensoryexperienceto helpbringaboutastateofrelaxation.Itcanbeusedwhentouch therapiesarenotsuitable.
Reiki
Reikiisknownasatherapeutictouchtherapyandmeans“universal lifeforceenergy”-theenergywhichflowsthroughalllivingthings. Reikistimulatesaresponsebyaffectingsubtleenergyfieldswithin thebodytohelpreducepain,anxiety,promoterelaxationand improvewellbeing.
How to comment on our services
Ifyouwishtocommentonourcare,pleasecontactourCareDirector via01905763963,orfeedback@strichards.org.ukYoucanalsowrite toCareDirector,StRichard’sHospice,WildwoodDrive,Worcester, WR52QT.StRichard’sisregulatedbytheCareQualityCommission.
Ifyourequirethisleafletinanotherlanguageorformatplease contactamemberofthehospiceteaminvolvedinyourcare.
StRichard’sHospice,WildwoodDrive,Worcester,WR52QT 01905763963,enquiries@strichardsorguk RegisteredCharityNumber:515668CompanyNumber:01850502