Supportive therapies at St Helier Hospital

We offer the following supportive therapies in the Cancer Information and Support Centre at St Helier Hospital:

• Aromatherapy

• Healing

• Massage

• Reflexology 

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils (diluted in a carrier oil) which will be massaged into the body or inhaled. Essential oils are liquid components of aromatic plants, trees and grasses.

This therapy works by absorption in the blood stream, via the skin or by diffusion across tiny air sacs in the lungs.

Essential oils, especially during a massage, can have a positive and harmonising effect on the body and the mind. Depending on the chemical constituents, oils can be uplifting, stimulating, calming or sedative. They are also thought to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Benefits of aromatherapy

• aid relaxation;

• help release stress and tension;

• promote a sense of well-being;

• ease muscular aches and pains, digestive problems, anxiety and insomnia.

Healing

Healing is often known as therapeutic touch and has been practised for thousands of years. It is a natural non-invasive, holistic approach.

This therapy has the intention of promoting self-healing in order to bring about a sense of well being, harmony and balance.

Healing uses deep relaxation and visualisation techniques to promote harmony and balance. This can be used at home to achieve relaxation at times of stress.

Massage

Massage uses a base oil like almond oil to massage into the body.

Massage is not offered as an alternative to conventional treatment. Holistic therapies, such as massage, recognise that health is experienced not only on the physical level, but also on the emotional, mental and spiritual level. Our massage therapists are members of the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council (CNHC).

Benefits of massage

Massage may:

• aid relaxation;

• reduce stress, anxiety and tension;

• improve sleep pattern;

• enhance well-being;

• aid pain and symptom relief.

Reflexology

Reflexology was first practised by the Chinese, Indian and Egyptian people thousands of years ago and describes a touch therapy practised on the feet and hands.

Every part of the body is represented on the feet by reflexes. Palpating the reflexes on the feet will identify imbalances in corresponding body parts.

Reflexology is reported to stimulate the immune system, encouraging self-healing and relaxation.

Benefits of reflexology

• aid relaxation;

• reduce stress and tension;

• ease anxiety;

• improve sleep pattern;

• enhance well-being;

• aid pain and symptom relief.

For more information on the above therapies, please download a fact sheet below: