types of physical therapies
There are so many different types of physical therapies that we can’t discuss them all here. Some of them will not be suitable for your type of cancer or during a particular treatment so always tell your doctor about the therapy you are thinking of having. You should also always tell your complementary therapist that you have cancer. All complementary therapists should be registered with a professional organisation. It’s safer for you to be treated by someone who is registered.
Some of these therapies are available in hospitals across the UK free of charge or for a small fee so ask what’s available at your hospital.
massage
This is a form of therapeutic touch which is used to relax, ease muscle tension and bring comfort to someone through contact with another human being. Some types of massage are gentle and others are quite vigorous. Friends and relatives can be taught to give you massages and this can be very comforting for both of you.
reiki (pronounced ray-key)
Reiki aims to reduce stress and promote healing. For this treatment, you would be sitting or lying in a comfortable position with your clothes on. The reiki practitioner gently places their hands on your body in different positions. They stay in each position for a few minutes. The treatment usually takes 1-2 hours.
aromatherapy
Scented natural oils from plants, flowers or trees can be used in massage, in the bath or in aromatherapy burners. The different oils are said to have different therapeutic effects, some are relaxing and some are energising. Others can have an effect on your body like raising your blood pressure so it’s important to tell your therapist about your condition and the medicines you are taking. Also, tell your doctors and the ward pharmacist before you start any aromatherapy treatment so that they can make sure the oils you want to use don’t react with any of your medicines.
You don’t have to take off your clothes for this treatment.
reflexology
This is a specialised type of foot massage. It is believed that different areas on the soles of the feet are connected to different organs of the body like the liver or the stomach. By putting pressure on these areas of the foot, symptoms like pain, sickness or constipation can be controlled or made better. Reflexology of the hands can also be done.
acupuncture
In Chinese medicine, there is a system of energy channels called chi which flows through the body. In acupuncture, sterile needles are put on certain points along these energy channels to help release the flow of chi and bring back health and balance to the body. Acupuncture can help with pain, feeling sick, anxiety and fear.
shiatsu
This is a Japanese form of massage. Like acupuncture it is based on the idea that the body is healthy when there is a balanced flow of energy through specific channels in the body called meridians. The practitioner puts pressure on certain meridians to help your energy regain its balance. Many people find shiatsu relaxing and re-energizing, as well as making pain and other symptoms better.
