Complementary therapies - Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Complementary
Therapies

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Complementary Therapies
Welcome to Wigan & Leigh Hospice. This
booklet has been compiled to provide
patients and their carers with information
about Complementary Therapies.
Who can access Complementary
Therapies?
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Therapies can only be offered to
Hospice patients with specialist
palliative needs and to their carers on a
needs assessed basis.
There is a restriction on the number of
sessions both patients and carers can
access, your therapist will inform you of
this at your assessment visit.
Complementary Booklet Version 1 – April 2010

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How can Complementary
Therapies help?
Complementary Therapies treat you as a
whole person and not just a collection of
symptoms. They are designed to
complement conventional medical
management by helping you to:
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deal with the treatment itself
minimise side effects
recover from the shock of diagnosis or
bad news
adopt a positive outlook on life
develop relevant coping strategies
maintain and enhance your body’s
innate defence mechanisms
relax and relieve stress and anxiety
If you have had no previous experience of
Complementary Therapies, your therapist
can help you decide on the most appropriate
therapy for you.

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We offer the following
Complementary Therapies ......
Aromatherapy:
the power of plants
A French chemist discovered the principles
of aromatherapy when he burned his hand in
the laboratory and plunged it into the nearest
liquid which happened to be essential oil of
lavender. He was amazed at how quickly his
burns healed. He began research into the
healing powers of other essential oils. There
are some three hundred such oils which may
be applied through inhalation, massage,
ointments/lotions, baths or foot baths. The
therapeutic effect of aromatherapy results
from a combination of the physiological
effects of the oils and the relaxation of
massage, leading to improved physical and
emotional well-being.

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Reflexology
Reflexology is a non-invasive treatment
which is emotionally, mentally and physically
balancing. It is the technique of applying
gentle pressure and movements to
particular reflex and pressure points on the
feet and ankles that affect areas elsewhere in
the body. This, in turn can release
congestion, release energy blockages and
promote deep relaxation, thus enabling the
body systems to work more efficiently and
stimulate the body’s own healing
mechanisms.
Reiki:
the therapeutic touch
Reiki (a Japanese word) is a form of healing
involving the laying on of hands, a procedure
as old as the hills. The aim is to strengthen
the body’s natural tendency to heal itself. By
creating an atmosphere of peace and
tranquillity, the Reiki practitioner
encourages this natural process. Reiki
relaxes and rejuvenates, seeks to promote
wholeness and to amend the emotional
causes of disease because the human touch
conveys healing and love. Apart from giving
you a sense of well being, Reiki often helps in
relieving pain, fear and other distressing
symptoms. It can help to lift your spirits and
increases your vital energy.

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Indian Head Massage
This method of relieving stress and tension
has been used by Indian women for over two
thousand years. It includes massage to head,
neck and shoulders with the aim of
stimulating the circulation thus expediting
the removal of toxins from the body and
assisting the distribution of oxygen to all the
body’s tissues.
Face massage soothes, comforts and
rebalances energy flow. This treatment can
be performed with the individual fully
dressed but greater benefits accrue from
having contact with the skin and using
essential oils. Only the head, neck, back,
shoulders and arms need to be accessible.
Hopi Ear Candles
These have a purely physical function. They
allow you to relax, let go and revitalize. A
light suction action and the movement of the
flame create a vibration of air (chimney
effect) in the ear candle which generates a
massage like effect on the eardrum.
The physical effects of the ear candles are
pleasant, soothing, and you can get a feeling
of warmth and a balance of pressure in the
ears, sinuses and forehead.

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Wigan and Leigh Hospice
The Hospice is a registered charity and all
the services are provided free of charge. It
relies heavily on public contributions to
maintain these services. You can help to
safeguard the future of the Hospice in one or
more of the following ways:
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become a volunteer
organise or participate in a
fundraising event
make a regular donation
join the Hospice Lottery
sponsor a bed
leave a gift to the Hospice in your will
join the Business Support Group
If you would like to receive more
information on any of the above please
contact the Hospice.
We are indebted to the people of Wigan,
Leigh and surrounding districts for their
unstinting support.

Kildare Street, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3HZ
Telephone 01942 525566
Fax 01942 525577
Registered Charity Number 513400
Company Number 1677155 Limited by Guarantee
Registered Office as above