Have just tried to get into the therapieunited.com one but it's coming up as 'server not found'. The only one is really useful so thanks for that. Do you know about the other one?
Hello Just tried the link myself and it worked - if yuo can't get it maybe try googling it and see if you can get in that way. Just realised that Maggie's is a Scottish thing but there are still some nice articles on the site which are relevant. I mailed the owner of the site and unfortunately she hasn't any links in England but at least you all know now that therapists willing to work with you are out there and if they say no it's only through mis teaching / lack of experience. Let me know if I can do anything else. Ironically I have just found a lump myself so empathising with you all even more now - waiting for a referral :-( Can't reach my own feet well enough to give myself a relaxing treatment!! Caroline x
Hi all - I've just read this thread with great interest, as I'm a real devotee of reflexology and other complementary therapies to lift my mood and help me relax. Our local hospice offers a range of these to its outpatients, in-patients & carers; I've had many sessions, over the last four years, with one of their therapists, including aromatherapy, reiki, very gentle massage (I have bone & liver mets) and reflexology - my favourite. I would be a bit wary of having any of these done by therapists who aren't trained/informed about risks or contraindications for people with cancer, so it would be very interesting to have more info on this site about independent complementary therapy practitioners.
I'm in Cambs too, two weeks post-mast/recon, and waiting for my pathology report and treatment plan. I'd be interested in whatever complementary therapies are available locally and have not checked out Macmillan services - thank you for the tip.
I have only just come across this thread. I think you know that for two years I was a lymphoedema nurse, and had about 400 patients, mostly with breast cancer. They were all taught simple lymph drainage when that was appropriate, and I can assure you that neither primary nor secondary cancer is a contra-indication. There is NO evidence that massage can spread cancer. As several people above have written, there is a lot of anxiety and misinformation around this - erring on the side of caution. A shame when people are missing out on some really relaxing treatments. I am quite amazed that a nurse working in a lymphoedema clinic gave you that information. You might be interested to look at www.lymphoedema.org/bls/membership/guidelines - this brings up "guidelines for the use of MLD (manual lymph drainage) and SLD (simple lymph drainage). BLS is the British Lymphology Society and most lymphoedema clinics are members. You will see that the ONLY contra-indications to simple simple lymph drainage are in acute infection or when there is a blood clot. Good luck. Love Sarah
I am just coming to the end of my training - in a few weeks I will be a qualified Reflexologist. I have thoroughly enjoyed the training, though it has been hard work at times, and just want to assure everyone that providing you use a qualified therapist, there will be no problems. The coursework is quite in depth, dealing with all major organs and systems in the body, from the lymphatic system to the individual bones in the foot! Anatomy, physiology and psycology are all dealt with and in addition to numerous assessments and exams, I have also completed six case studies, covering a range of clients. It is a wonderful treatment - I was sceptical to start with, but that soon changed! In Durham, where I live, there are no therapies on offer at the chemo unit, and I am hoping to offer my services free of charge when I qualify. Guess the red tape might get in the way, but we will see! In the meantime.....any ladies close by are welcome to a treatment:)
Palomino98 - if you look at our support group's website (peterborough breast cancer support group) there's a section on complementary therapies and especially in our area. I received a grant from Macmillan to create the website which went live in Feb 06 and normally update it once a year.
Sarah - you're right that it's so confusing! My lymphoedema nurse (who is also a friend of mine) is erring on the side of caution as she said she doesn't really know whether it could affect me or not so I suppose in a way the onus rests with me but you do hear so many people advising us not to have massages. Yes, I did pick up on a couple of your other posts that you were a lymphoedema nurse - are you doing anything similar out there? Also, is your son home yet?? Picked ours up on Sunday - won't tell you the state of their kitchen in their house needless to say that I'm a sucker and cleaned it all for them!!
Thank you very much indeed for pointing me towards the PBCSC. I'm south of Cambridge so a bit further out, but I found it an articulate, well-maintained and impressive website with more useful links than I can possibly explore in a day. I have added it to my favourites and will be revisiting it again and again.
Hi Carol - My son will be home on Saturday, can't wait! Glad you have yours home with you. However, 2nd taxotere tomorrow from which I had awful pains last time, and oncologist has just told me I will need Neulasta after it, and that that can also give bone pains, so he may have a rather not quite herself mum for a week or so. Then again, I know I'm one of the lucky ones. Great to hear from you and have a super Easter. Love Sarah x
Lyn - thanks for your comments, it took me about 7 months initially to put it all together but I really enjoyed doing it. It had been mulling over in my mind for a while that people were accessing so many different websites for bits of info then came up with the idea of putting it all under one umbrella.
Sarah - hope your second taxotere goes okay tomorrow. I don't know about your son but when I'm feeling underpowered (which the radiotherapy has done this time) my son is so caring and wanting to do things around the house - amazing!! (Pity they can't do that with their house up at uni!).
Hope you both have a lovely Easter - we're supposed to have snow showers here over the weekend.
I found reflexology extremely helpful. My reflexologist worked with me all through. I first saw her when I was diagnosed, before I had the surgery and carried on through chemo and radio. She knew each stage I was at and worked with it. When I started to develope a frozen shoulder following the surgery (luckily spotted early by my GP) she worked on it each time I saw her and my GP was astonished at the range of movement I had within 6 months as it can and usually does take up to 2 years to disappear. I still see her once a month now and we have become good friends and each time I see her she asks if there is anything she should know about before she starts. (For instance, when I was recovering from flu she worked on the immune system, or when the Arimidex makes my joints ache etc)
It was one of the things I also felt that I was in control of, along with seeing a herbal dietitian, when so much was out of my hands.
My breast care team were fine about it and actively encouraged it - in fact I was asked to bring in leaflets they could give out to other ladies.
Go for it, find someone properly qualified - good luck and enjoy it.
I am a qualified reflexologist and agree with the comments made previously that many reflexologist are taught that cancer, or certain forms of cancer, is a contra indication.
I had weekly treatments throughout my treatment (chemo, mastectomy, rads) and found it to be a huge benefit physically and emotionally. it provided me with a haven where I could release all my emotions and my reflexologist was very supportive.
There are a number of reflexologist who are experienced in treating people with cancer but please be aware that anyone can call themselves a reflexologist so make sure you use someone who is properly qualified and registered with the Association of Reflexologists (www.aor.org.uk) ,the FHT or similar. The AOR have a searchable database where you can see what areas members specialise in.
I have had my last treatment of chemotheropy 2day,i felt really relaxed as i had a session of reflexology before hand, i find it helping me lots and lots with my anxiety. The reflexologist is laid back, helpfull, easy to talk too and full of interesting knowledge, you just want too fall asleep as you feel in heaven, and its complementory at the macmillan unit. I dont think ive ever felt so relaxed in my life before, i recomend reflexology.
I wanted reflexology during chemo but was advised by therapist and med team not to. The main reason was that they said reflexology releases toxins and that is what chemo is so they didn't want the balanced messed with.
So I have waited for over a yr and had my first session today which I found really good. BUT I had to sign a disclaimer as she really wanted a signed letter from my doc who I know from last time would say no! She was happy to proceed, agreeing that cancer patients can have reflex in her opinion, but her insurance company may not cover her. She was going to ring them and if there is a big prob, she may be ringing me to cancel my next session.
She rang! Bl***y insurance companies aarrrgghhh! So had to contact my GP who was away. Got a message to another GP in the practice who is in favour of holistic therapies and she said yes over phone. We hope this is all that is needed but if I need a letter I will have to pay the GP.
I was very annoyed about this as I am finding the money to pay for the therapy myself as I feel I need more than what the NHS is offering. It is to help my well being which in turn will mean I prob wont need those anti depressents my GP is trying to force on me at every visit, and hopefully I wont need to see the GP so often. It seems that money is now more important than patient care.
Going today for my second session. Have had a very positive week and do feel both relaxed and energised. I even got on my exercise bike and did a few sit ups this week!
Have put this here as well as on another thread because I think the complementary therapies have def helped.
I thought I would update on here how I am feeling physically and emotionally, as I think I have hit upon a series of things recently that have really helped me feel so much better. I hope it can help to motivate or encourage others who have done the same for me over the past 22 mths.
I had been on arimdex for 10 mths and the pain in my joints was so bad I could hardly walk upright. I have now been on Tamoxifen for 3 mths. For the past 3 wks I have had reflxology and reiki, Have stopped drinking alcohol and have so much more energy. I am having less hot flushes and sleeping better, though still not all night. The aches and pains are minor and I am losing weight and my tummy is less bloated.
I can't pin point 1 thing that has helped but the reflexology was a catalyst to me eating much more healthily (my therapist has a very holistic approach). She even had me looking at my stools to check they were the right colour!!! And she is helping me be motivated for exercise.
The lack of alcohol has helped without a doubt. I am so weak willed usually, that I don't know where I am getting the strength from to continue to abstain, especially when OH has his beers every night.
I am also managing to stay calm when OH winds me up and walk away instead of arguing. This is all rather unbelievable particularly when I think how cynical I was about reiki beforehand.