Treating client with cancer

[amranKay]

I've been asked to give reflexology to a lady with cancer. She had been in remission and the cancer has returned. My friend will be bringing her along to her next treatment session so that I can meet her(the lady wiith cancer).

I'm anxious if I go ahead, it'll be my first treatment to a cancer client.I've read previous threads on this forum and I'm confused. I've also heard that you do not do reflex soon after the person had chemotherapy-due to radiation contamination to us. Others suggest stay clear of the lymphatic systems as it may spread the cancer.

So... any advice would be welcomed. I know how it feels as I had to nurse my mum until she died still under sedation due to cancer. Thanks.

 

[WatEliuaui]

If you are in the least bit dubious about treating the woman, then why not ask her to get the all-clear (to treat) from her physician?
I am a therapist, and was also a cancer patient during 2001. I had regular reflexology from a colleague - it was extremely relaxing and was a great help (I believe) in my recovery from the treatments. The only reason I didn't have reflexology during radiotherapy was because I was doing a 100 mile round trip to the hospital every day, and was phyically too exhausted to go 25 miles in the opposite direction to see my therapist!
I have never heard of getting radiation contamination from a patient ! (nor radiation contamination from chemotherapy - think you may have got the two treatments confused.) As for the lymphatic system spreading cancer? As breathing can stimulate lymph flow, I think it would be hard to prove that reflexology was the culprit.

 

[LindaWilliams]

I totally agree with Jabba. There seems to be very different thinking in this area and I think you have to do what feels right to you. When I did reflexology in college we were told not to treat people with cancer or in treatment unless they had been clear for x number of years.

At the same time I was volunteering at a drop in hospice where loads of the people felt they had a great benefit from getting reflexology and aromatherapy (amongst some other therapies). Nobody was ever turned away for a treatment here - they might have a gentler treatment or much more relaxations moves were done so I think it is a very individual thing.

I think the problem with cancer (and other diseases) is that there is always a chance of it spreading or coming back - that doesn't say that if you have reflexology that will not happen, it also doesn't mean that it will.

I think that if you can give somebody a very relaxed hour in a loving and peaceful environment, that is sooo good for body and soul. It might be the only time she has for herself or the only time she is not prodded and poked by medical personel. If you feel you can, give her that time, it might benefit her in more ways than you can imagine.

 

[Java Coder]

Good advice from Jabba - get medical approval - the doctor will know what is going on, will also know if there are any problems such as low platelet count when you shouldn't treat and other local contraindications such as oedema.

Complementary therapies can be incredibly supportive and helpful so once you have medical approval endeavour to support your client through the recovery process. Some of the more common symptoms you can help with is nausea, fatigue, relaxation, pain relief and stress reduction.

Also try to go on a course to give you some advanced skills in treating patients with cancer - are you a member of an association? They may be able to point you in the right direction.

Just to clarify something - chemotherapy is the administration of drugs and radiotherapy is treating with rays - see the following link http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Radiotherapy/Generalinformation/Whatisit

Luv Binah
x

 

[thenagoddess]

I was suprised to hear that nurses who treat cancer patients are tested once a year themselves (a blood test apparently) and that was from a nurse although not a cancer nurse

you may or may not get medical permission from the consultant or gp but certainly ask, it is ultimatly up to the patient if they have a treatment or not (providing you are willing)

where I am there are 2 hospices who have in house therapists offering massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and mld massage for people who are both terminal and going through treatment

 

[DeweyWatermelon]

Thank you all for the prompt replies so far. I will certainly have a chat with her when she comes to see me with her friend and I would take your advice as to seek first her doctor/consultant's permission first before proceeding.

Thanks also for the clarification of the terms chemo/radiotherapy.

 

[rOcKerO83]

Hiya

Purple Flame do a number of courses to do with cancer - www.purpleflame.co.uk is the site. Nothing to do with me - I'm just a satisfied customer!

 

[massage therapist]

Hi

Here's a link for Reflexology and Cancer CPD courses in London - I hope this helps. The course begins in September. Who did you train with? I hope you find this link useful.

http://www.reflexologycpd.com/Cancer.html

Luv Binah
x

 

[neverwinter]

Agree with everyone about getting doctor's permission to treat. In fact, you'll probably find that your insurance stipulates this.

Generally, when treating cancer patients, a gentle treatment is recommended and reflexes relating to where there are tumours should generally be avoided. Also remember that their immune system will be greatly compromised during chemo, so good hygeine practise is extremely important (which it, of course, is with every client).

There are certain treatments (for instance using radioactive iodine on the thyroid or having a PET scan) where the patient may be radioactive for a few days, but they would have been given instructions or kept in hospital in isolation during this time. Otherwise, for general chemotherapy or radiotherapy there is no risk to the therapist.

If you Google the Prince of Wales Foundation for Integrated Health and download the NationalGuidelines for the use of Complementary Therapies in Supportive and Palliative Care, therre is a section on reflexology.

Middlesex School of Complmentary Medicine and the S.E.E.D. Institute also run courses on therapies for cancer clients.

 

[vsann]

Thanks for the link to the Pof Wales Foundation of Intergrated Health fr Aromababe. I did not know there is so much information on the site.

I know about Middlesex School of Comp Medicine as I trained under David Godfrey.

 

[*au natural*]

David's great and usually runs all the advanced reflexology courses.

 

[Laura M]

I agree about David he is so knowledgeable. Nice guy too.

Luv Binah
x

 

[artzylady 2]

Christie Cancer Hospital in Manchester has a major Integrative Therapies unit and they run some great quality courses for therapists - there are short modules, e.g. for reflexologists who want to adapt their work to cancer patients, and longer diplomas. I am sure that if you ring them they would give you some advice. The phone number for the unit is 0161 446 8236. The man in charge is Dr Peter Mackereth who himself is a top reflexologist I believe.

Masha