The Therapies
Therapies to add quality to your life...
At Beechwood we offer a range of adapted complementary therapies to help people through their cancer treatment. Each one provides a natural relief to the stresses and strains that living with cancer places on both body and mind. These treatments do not take the place of those prescribed by you doctor but go hand in hand with them to promote deep relaxation and general well-being. you will receive a ten week course of ONE of the following. All therapies are carried out in a specially designed room, under the care of a trained, skilled therapist, allowing you to relax, feel safe and fully enjoy your chosen therapy.
Reflexology is a therapy which uses pressure points of the feet (and hands). It is a natural therapy which aims to balance the body, resulting in a relaxing and soothing effect throughout the whole person. Reflexology shouldn't be confused with foot massage.
It is a specific pressure technique which works on precise areas of the feet which correspond to all body parts. As the feet represent a microcosm of the body, all organs, glands and other body parts are laid out in a similar arrangement of the feet.
Pressure is applied to the reflex areas using specific thumb and finger techniques. This activates the body's own healing potential, thus feet can play a major part in attaining and maintaining health.
The techniques used are often quite firm and certain techniques such as "hooking in" may even be painful. At Beechwood we have adapted all the techniques and use only light pressure so as not to cause discomfort.
The goal of reflexology is to trigger the return to homeostasis - a state of equilibrium or balance. The most important step towards achieving this is to reduce tension and induce relaxation.
Relaxation is the first step towards normalisation and it is when the body is relaxed and resting that many of the healing and regenerative processes take place.
Aromatherapy is the ancient art and science of using essential oils to massage the body, which has been around for thousands of years. Patients benefit from both the sense of touch and the therapeutic qualities of the oils.
Patients' individual needs and medical backgrounds are taken into account when deciding which oils, if any, to use.
For some clients, massage isn't appropriate, for example if there is widespread metastatic disease. Also we would never massage an area directly affected by cancer.
All the massage techniques used have been adapted to be both gentle and safe. We utilise lots of effleurage and stroking techniques and avoid any deeper, kneading type movements.
We utilise a wide variety of oils at the centre, with a wide range of properties. Oils are chosen with each individual's specific needs in mind.
The oils are used in weak dilutions of 0.5% or 1%. Although this is less than the normal strength dilution, it still has a therapeutic benefit.
Reiki is an ancient art of healing by touch.
As part of this Japanese word, REI means "Universal" and KI meaning "Life Force Energy" (pronounced Ray Key). Reiki is a way of channelling this energy to address not only physical disorders, but also to open the mind to the cause of disease and pain. Reiki is not a religion, as it holds no creed or doctrine. Its use of the energy can be traced back for thousands of years, spanning many diverse cultures and ancient civilisations. It was re-introduced in its present form (Reiki) in the late 19th Century after many years of dedicated research by Dr. Mikao Usui - a Japanese Christian educator.