Since qualifying to provide my massage therapies to clients with Cancer and other life limiting conditions, I realise more and more that the main ingredients for a good massage treatment are:

• Taking time to have a thorough consultation with my client before the treatment starts to go through, not just their medical details, but their preferences as to how the treatment is carried out and any areas of concern.
• A comfortable massage couch (or body support for those who can’t lie on a couch)
• A warm room and couch – I use an electric blanket on a low heat to help warm the muscles and relax my client.
• High quality oils and products, this is a bit like using the best quality ingredients available for a recipe.
• Positioning – making sure my client is in the correct position for their safety and comfort. This will vary from a client who has no mobility issues to a client who may have a life limiting condition or have had an operation e.g. a Mastectomy.
• Getting the pressure right for each client, by asking them and by assessing whether light pressure is needed for those with special medical conditions.
• Carrying out the agreed treatment in the correct way.

You will see the last point on my list is the actual treatment method, which you may think is slightly odd.

This doesn’t mean the actual treatment is the least important but rather that thorough preparation before the treatment starts will help ensure the best possible result for my client (and me).

By ensuring the right treatment for the client is chosen at the outset and the best position for that client is obtained, you are well on the way to success.  Once the client is comfortable and warm they can relax, which makes carrying out the actual treatment much easier as they can ‘switch off’ and allow muscles to naturally relax, which in turn makes it easier to carry out a good massage.

As I have my own small business, I am able to work closely with my clients on a regular basis and allow time, not just for the consultation, but also to ensure the client isn’t made to feel rushed, as perhaps in a salon/spa atmosphere where timing is more of an issue.  This is so important for clients who may have mobility issues and therefore take a little longer before and after a treatment to get undressed/dressed.  I do a free initial consultation before the first treatment and this time is extra to the treatment time, therefore my clients only pay for their actual treatment.

After recently becoming qualified to provide Complementary Therapies for clients with Cancer or other life limiting conditions, I thought I would explain a little about how this qualification has enabled me to offer my treatments to those who perhaps may not have been able to receive massage or other Complementary Therapies before, due to issues with insurance.

Before any massage or other Complementary Therapy can go ahead for the first time, I will ask the client to complete a pre-treatment medical consultation form. During this time the client can also explain in more depth any conditions they may have as well as ask any questions.  I can also ask questions, such as whether the client is able to lie on the massage couch or should the position be modified in any way.  The client also needs to sign the form to give consent that they are happy for the treatment to go ahead.

This is a confidential form and is not shared with any third party.

From time to time a client may have a more serious condition or have recently received a medical treatment such as Chemotherapy.  In these cases it is advisable to book a separate shorter appointment with me to go through the consultation form together and to explain which type of treatment or operation they have had.  The client may be asked to get a referral letter from their healthcare professional (if they are still under their care) and once that has been received, a treatment plan can be agreed upon depending on the symptoms the client may be suffering from, such as sore/aching muscles, poor sleep patterns or quality of sleep, tension/anxiety/stress etc.

During the first treatment I will usually use a light to moderate pressure and avoid any areas which may have been operated on, as well as any affected lymph nodes.

I also offer Lymphatic Drainage for those clients who may have swelling from an operation or from a medical condition.  This treatment is very light touch and doesn’t involve the deeper muscle layers but only the layer just below the skin.  This can be used as a stand-alone treatment or incorporated into the massage for specific areas of the body which are affected.  Again, this option will be discussed with the client before any treatment is carried out and after receiving a letter of referral from the GP or other healthcare professional.

Usually a treatment plan of around six appointments is beneficial to the client, as feedback can be given by the client at each appointment and the treatment modified, if necessary, to ensure progress is being made with regards to symptoms.

A client may feel nervous or apprehensive for their first treatment (especially if they have never received massage before) but with each treatment they are able to relax and enjoy their time out which will, in turn, improve their wellbeing.

If you have any questions about whether you think massage may benefit you, please contact me.  There is no obligation to book a treatment and I am more than happy to help.

Best wishes

Nicola

Glow Therapies Tavistock

Mob: 07969 157897

https://glowtherapies.co.uk/

Our sense of smell is the first sense we use as babies to recognise our parents and what is happening around us.  Smell can evoke memories, such as when you smell a pine tree you may remember Christmases of childhood and this in turn evokes feelings in you.  Aromatherapy can be used by the warming of oils in an oil burner or vaporiser to create an ambiance within the home or can be used in a medicinal way, for example warming Eucalyptus oil to help with nasal congestion when someone has a cold.  Neroli and Chamomile oils are good for vaporising when someone has difficulty sleeping, but care must be taken to use only a few drops in water.

The blending of essential oils into a base oil is used for Aromatherapy Massage.  Each essential oil has different properties which affect the mind, body and skin.  When the blend is massaged into the skin, the client (and therapist) will inhale the smells, which in turn, can help to alleviate stress and create a state of relaxation and will help achieve a more effective treatment.  The oils are absorbed into the blood stream to prolong the effect of the specific blend used.  Some oils such as Rosemary and Black Pepper have an analgesic effect to help with pain relief in tight muscles.  Lavender has many properties and is also an adaptogen.  This means Lavender can adapt to what the body needs, either calming and soothing during times of stress or stimulating when lacking energy, depending on what the body needs at that time.  Adaptogens help the body to achieve homeostasis (stability in the body) and so provide what is needed to achieve this.

Oils such as Peppermint or Lemon work well in the sick room to help keep the room fresh.  Frankincense is a wonderful essential oil to blend with other compatible oils as it lowers the heart rate and aids meditation, thus helping with stress and anxiety.  When used blended with a base oil or included in face creams it is a good anti-ageing treatment.

Essential oils can be used in beauty products or added to baths, but if the latter, then only a few drops should be used after being added to a tablespoon of base oil or full fat milk, then dispersed in warm water in the bath.

The medical World is now recommending Aromatherapy as well as other Complementary Therapies for Cancer patients or those with life limiting conditions.  Aromatherapy works well with massage to help patients cope with anxiety, pain, depression and tiredness and although many essential oils can’t be used for those with Cancer, some oils can help with symptoms of sickness during Chemotherapy.  Only qualified practitioners should be used to provide Complementary Therapies to Cancer patients (or any client) and under the guidance of the GP or specialised Cancer care unit.

When a person is undergoing Chemotherapy their sense of smell and taste can change dramatically and so extra care must be taken when using Aromatherapy oils as sometimes a once favourite smell can suddenly cause them to feel sick or ill.  It is recommended not to use a single essential oil for clients who have Cancer but to use a very light blend so that no one smell can be identified.  This is because that person may associate a certain essential oil with a time when they felt ill if say, only Lavender was used.

Please note, only use a qualified Aromatherapy Practitioner if considering using Aromatherapy.

I had a wonderful day recently, providing short treatments for a pre-Wedding event.  The venue was a beautiful manor house on Dartmoor and a perfect setting for some relaxing massages and facials. There was also a flower arranging workshop going on in another room.

I really think this was a brilliant idea on behalf of the Bride to help relax with her special friends after a busy time planning the Wedding and before the big day itself.

If you would like to do something similar for a special event, please get in touch – I’d love to hear your ideas!

To celebrate the start of Autumn and during the month of October 2018, I am giving away a Glow Therapies voucher!  All you need to do to enter the draw is to Like and Share this post on Facebook and I will draw the winner’s name on 31 October.

The voucher is for either a 30 minute massage or mini facial treatment using Neal’s Yard Remedies organic oils and products and must be redeemed within 6 months.

For details of my business please click on  Glow Therapies Tavistock 

Good Luck!