Physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual wellbeing
Our Complementary Therapists work with palliative patients, including those at the end of their life, and their family members as carers and into bereavement. Patients are seen at home, hospital or our Therapy and Information Centre in Workington. Our Complementary Therapists are qualified and have significant experience in their field of expertise. They work with a range of symptoms including stress, pain, low mood, sleep issues, nausea and anxiety.
We offer Reiki, reflexology, therapeutic massage, aromasticks, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT tapping), breathing, and relaxation. The range of therapies offered is tailored to the individual’s needs.
How does it help?
Complementary therapies aim to enhance wellbeing and improve quality of life. Our Complementary Therapists are skilled in helping people from all walks of life to find the inner resources they need to manage their emotions and symptoms in a positive way.
What can I expect?
Referrals are made by doctors, GPs, the specialist palliative care team and other health professionals. Once we have received your referral we will contact you to discuss your support needs and arrange to meet you.
In summary:
We support palliative patients, their family carers, and family members into bereavement.
We offer support to patients known to the wider or specialist palliative care team and believed to be in the last 12 months of life: a doctor or other healthcare professional would normally advise on this.
Our Complementary Therapists work in specialist, adapted ways to ensure the session is appropriate for the patient.
We offer up to six sessions of support. For patients, this can be reviewed and extended according to need and capacity of the team.
We offer sessions for patients in their home (including care homes), hospital or at our Therapy and Information Centre in Workington. For family carers and the bereaved, we offer support from our therapy centre in Workington.
Support with transport to our Therapy and Information Centre may be available- please ask your therapist.
Sessions are adapted to your individual needs.
We aim to enable you to cope with your situation without us.
What approaches do we use?
Reiki
Reiki (pronounced ‘ray-key’) is a calming, soothing therapy which provides great comfort to patients and families alike. The word broadly means ‘universal life energy’, which is channelled through the practitioner to the receiver. This is performed over clothing: the therapist places their hands on or just over your body, usually starting at the head and finishing at the feet. Reiki can be received in person or distantly. This means that the benefits of reiki can be experienced in the comfort of your home without the therapist present. Our patients tell us that they find Reiki to be soothing and that they feel peaceful during and afterwards.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a holistic massage focusing on particular points of the feet. It is holistic in that it has claimed effects throughout the complete mind-body system, not just the feet.
Aromasticks Sessions
Aromasticks sessions combine the benefits of aromatherapy with established relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system. An aromastick is a portable inhaler of individually blended essential oils to help with symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and chemotherapy induced nausea.
EFT Tapping
EFT tapping is an effective stress-management technique. The EFT practitioner will gently guide you to bring to mind what is troubling you and to gently tap on specific energy points on your head, upper body and hands. Done with the guidance of a skilled therapist, EFT can be effective in easing the intensity of a number of physical and emotional concerns.
Breathing
Breathing, relaxation and visualisation techniques are usually blended into a therapy session to add an extra level of benefit.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage is compassionate touch involving gentle, rhythmic movements to aid relaxation, relieve tension and allow a general sense of wellbeing
Resources
Our Family and Bereavement Services Team Leader, Claire Jenkinson, has been with Hospice at Home West Cumbria for many years and has a Diploma in Adapting Complementary Therapies for Cancer and Supportive Care from world-renowned hospital, The Christie, in Manchester. This ensures that the way we work is in line with current best practice guidelines.
Claire has made some recordings talking about how breathing and relaxation play a big part in a patient’s treatment, helping them to benefit more from the treatments they are receiving:
Meet the Therapists
Beth
Complementary Therapist
Cindy
Complementary Therapist
Billy
Volunteer Complementary Therapist
Although we do not charge a fee for these services, we do rely on donations to ensure our services can continue. If you are able to make a donation it will help us to provide care for others.
How can I get in touch?
If you would like any further advice about this service please call 01900 705200, or use our contact form.