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Complementary Therapies

Katharine House Hospice promotes an holistic approach to care addressing all the patients needs, not just the physical ones. Our patients can access a range of complementary therapies free of cost. Complementary therapies have been proven to reduce stress and promote mental well-being.

This service is available to carers as well as patients and includes:

Aromatherapy »
The systematic use of essential oils in treatment to improve physical and emotional wellbeing.

Reflexology »
A safe relaxing treatment alleviates anxiety and promotes relaxation by applying pressure to the hands and feet.

Tai Chi »
Tai Chi strengthens and mobilises joints and muscles, improving physical fitness and mental relaxation through low impact, smooth and continuous movements.

Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils in treatment to improve physical and emotional wellbeing. Many plant species contain essential oils, highly fragrant and inflammable essences, which evaporate quickly and which are extracted from plants by a distillation process. Essential oils can be applied in a variety of ways, including massage, vaporisers, baths, creams, lotions and compresses. The essential oils are absorbed through the skin, and/or by inhalation. An aromatherapy treatment should be an extremely relaxing and pleasurable experience, which will not interfere with medical treatment and may in fact enhance it.

How does it work?
The therapeutic effect of aromatherapy results from a combination of the physiological effects of the oils and the relaxation of massage. As the fragrance of the oils also stimulates the sense of smell which elicits certain emotions, the limbic system of the midbrain, which is concerned with emotional as well as visual function, may be involved in the release of hormones which influence mood.

What are the benefits?
The best evidence available indicates that aromatherapy (and massage) may be useful in the followings ways:
Significantly improving emotional symptoms, in particular concentration, mood and feelings about appearance and the future Improving wellbeing and quality of life.

After care advice
Avoid washing your skin or bathing for a minimum of 8 hours. Avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Drink plenty of fresh water or herbal tea. Enjoy rest and relaxation.

Reflexology

What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a holistic therapy that treats the whole body using specific pressure points on the hands and feet. The hands and feet are a mirror image of the body and they have reflex points that relate to the whole body. By applying pressure to these points in a methodical order you can treat the related organs of the body to bring everything into balance. Imbalances will show themselves by the experience of pain in the related pressure point or through the presence of ‘gritty areas,’ referred to as crystal deposits. Reflexology is a safe relaxing treatment that can be given with minimum affect or disturbance to the recipient.

How does it work?
Through the stimulation of the circulatory and lymphatic systems, and by encouraging the release of toxins, reflexology promotes the body to heal itself. There is also a positive effect on the nervous system as reflexology treatment helps to reduce nervous tension, which is often a root of a large percentage of modern illnesses.

What are the Benefits?
Although we are all individuals and react to treatments differently, there are some general benefits to treatment.

• Promotes relaxation and alleviates anxiety
• Reduces pain
• Alleviates symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness , constipation and nausea.
• Alleviates side effects of chemotherapy
• Reduces strain and tension
• Improves well being and quality of life

After care advice
Sit for a few minutes and take care getting down off the couch/chair. Avoid bending down. Avoid rushing round for a few hours. Avoid eating a heavy meal. Have a warm drink after half an hour and increase fluid intake for 24 hours but avoid tea, coffee and alcohol.

Tai Chi

What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is best known as the form of exercise that has been popularised by images of Chinese people practising graceful flowing movements in the park. These movements, practised by all ages and physical abilities, are an important part of Tai Chi systems. Tai Chi is an ancient form of gentle, slow, graceful and rhythmic exercise which originated in China. It is now known as one of the most effective forms of exercise for physical and mental wellbeing.

How does it work?
Tai Chi strengthens and mobilises joints and muscles, improving physical fitness and mental relaxation through low impact, smooth and continuous movements.

Tai Chi at Katharine House Hospice
The programme was developed by Dr Paul Lam and a team of medical and Tai Chi professionals. Dr Lam is a family physician and respected Tai Chi teacher who works with arthritis and health foundations across the world researching the benefits of Tai Chi exercise. Our teacher, Paul Gascoyne, is a qualified health professional and an experienced Tai Chi instructor.

What are the Benefits of Tai Chi?
The possible benefits are that it may:

• Provide a safe form of exercise suitable for people of almost any physical condition and age, without previous exercise experience
• Deliver relief of pain and stiffness due to musculoskeletal conditions
• Benefit health in general and aid relaxation
• Promote agility and co-ordination through stepping movements
• Improve breathing through excercises