Complementary Therapies
Pre-book our new therapies today by calling 01224 647000 or email enquiries@clancancersupport.org
Clan are excited to welcome back complementary therapies across all of our centres throughout the North East of Scotland and Islands.
Our complementary therapies have been reviewed throughout the pandemic and aligned with the credible therapies provided by the NHS to ensure a continuation of care in the community, for those with a cancer diagnosis undergoing conventional treatment and anyone else who has been affected by a cancer diagnosis. Complementary therapies are designed to support and alleviate some of the physical and emotional side effects that comes with a client’s cancer journey.
We would recommend that you keep your GP and/or consultant advised of any therapies taken. The range of complementary therapies available varies – to find out what is available in your area please contact your local Clan centre.
Menu of Therapies
Read more about each individual therapy and whether it's right for your journey. Download our menu below for a list of therapies available in each area.
Therapy Availability
The range of complementary therapies available varies. To find out what is available in your area please contact your local Clan centre.
Massage Therapy
Massage is a technique that applies pressure to parts of the body by stroking, kneading, tapping or pressing. It aims to relax you mentally and physically. Massage may concentrate on the muscles, the soft tissues, or on the acupuncture points. Massage techniques can range from being soft and gentle to vigorous and brisk. Therapists may treat your whole body or concentrate on a specific part, such as your head, neck, shoulders, arms or hands.
Indian Head Massage
A head massage actually includes the head, neck and shoulders, and the far-reaching benefits can be felt in every system in the body. Massaging the scalp has the added benefit of promoting healthy hair growth, as well as being incredibly soothing.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphoedema is a common result of some cancer treatments and surgeries where nodes are removed. The reduction in the number of nodes in the body (nodes are the exit points for the lymph to drain through), puts the lymphatic system under pressure to drain the same amount of fluid through less nodes. This is why excess lymph (fluid) accumulates just under the skin, not in the muscles, and causes local swelling in the limbs and around the body.
Oncology Massage
Specialist oncology massage training enables the therapist to make the adaptations required to help the client feel better whatever stage of their cancer journey. Each session will be tailored to suit the needs on the day. For example, sometimes you may only want a hand or foot massage, other times you may prefer a neck and shoulders massage. By using approved, specific and non-invasive massage therapies, the bespoke massage will improve overall feelings of wellbeing, by reducing the negative symptoms of treatments and medications.
Scar Tissue Massage
A scar is fibrous tissue made of collagen that replaces injured skin as part of the healing process. Scar Tissue Massage is most commonly used for breast cancer patients, where surgery or radiotherapy has caused scar tissue to form. The therapy involves direct contact with the scar and the surrounding skin and tissues, using very gentle but effective techniques to achieve results in the management and impact of the scar as it continues to heal.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve health and wellbeing. The theory behind aromatherapy is that each essential oil has properties that give health benefits and can:
- Boost wellbeing
- Relieve stress
- Help to refresh your body
Reflexology
Reflexology is a technique that applies gentle pressure to your feet or hands to bring about a state of relaxation and help the body's own healing process. It works in a similar way to acupressure and acupuncture. It is thought that there are certain points on the feet and hands that correspond to the organs and glands in the body, so by pressing and massaging these points it can stimulate energy pathways in the body. Some consider this type of therapy as less invasive than massage.
Reiki
The Japanese word reiki means universal energy. Eastern medicine systems work with this energy, which they believe flows through all living things and is vital to wellbeing. The energy is known as 'Ki' in Japan, 'Chi' in China and 'prana' in India. Reiki isn't part of any type of religion or belief system. A reiki practitioner aims to change and balance the ‘energy fields’ in and around your body to help on a physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual level.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy focusses on an emotional and psychological form of talking therapy that helps you go into a deeply relaxed state. We all go into such states of mind naturally in daily life. For example, when we daydream or concentrate deeply on something. A hypnotherapist can use various methods to help you into this state. They may speak to you slowly and soothingly. Or they may ask you to look at a fixed object in front of you or at the edge of your field of vision. You might feel heavy or light, but will remain relaxed and in control at all times. Your hypnotherapist will focus on why you want to have hypnotherapy.
