Working with Cancer Clients
Support and Palliative Care
When I first studied and qualified in Reflexology years ago, treating clients with cancer was not considered appropriate. It was flagged as a contra-indication. This mostly stemmed from a lack of understanding, not only of the condition, but also how reflexology works and the effect it can have on cancer sufferers.
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Research demonstrates that those who receive reflexology treatments experience significant improvements in physical treatment side effects and emotional symptoms.
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Reflexology can help support the management of side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other treatments.
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The main contra-indication would be an 'under skilled' therapist! I have completed in-depth study, attended a course with an advance practitioner cancer nurse and now hold a qualification to offer reflexology to clients with cancer, post-cancer and also terminal patients receiving only palliative support.
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Cancer patients seek help to support:-
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Symptoms such as pain, sickness or fatigue
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Panic attacks
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Insomnia
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To alleviate discomfort caused by surgery, chemo or radiotherapy
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Advanced cancer, which can no longer benefit from conventional treatment, when touch and TLC are still welcome
Receiving complementary therapy such as reflexology may help clients to take back control of their situation, enabling them to cope better with the anxiety provoking reality. To regain normal functions such as sleep, breathing and relaxation.
Reflexology is not treating the illness but treating and supporting the whole person.