All patients may receive complementary therapies. Referrals can be made through your Hospice care team, your District Nurse, Macmillan Nurse and it is also possible to request therapy direct.

Massage is a gentle rhythmical touch of the hands on the body using a carrier oil in order to relax and relieve stress.

Reflexology is a sequence of thumb or finger movements worked over the entire surface of the feet or hands. Each part of the body has a corresponding reflex area on the hand or foot. By working on these areas relaxation and relief of symptoms can be achieved.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils blended in a carrier oil and applied by means of massage, vaporiser or inhalation. This allows some of the therapeutic properties of the oils to be absorbed into the body.

You should have only one complementary therapy in a day to ensure maximum benefit from that treatment. It is best to avoid eating a heavy meal and drinking tea, coffee or alcohol either just before or after a treatment. Following your treatment, try and lie still for at least 5 minutes and then drink as much water as possible. This helps your body to get rid of toxins. We encourage you to take time to relax and enjoy your treatment.

The Breathlessness clinic, run by a physiotherapist and specialist nurses, is aimed at patients whose quality of life could be improved by undergoing a programme of care which includes exercises and coping strategies for breathlessness. Patient referrals will be accepted from GPs, district nurses, hospital and community Macmillan nurses and hospital consultants. click here to download our referral form.

Our physiotherapists are trained in the needs of patients with life-threatening disease and play an important role in our multidisciplinary team. Physiotherapy is available for people attending both inpatient and day care units as well as outpatients. People who come to The Peace Hospice have a wide variety of symptoms and together we work out a suitable programme for our patients.

The physiotherapist may offer help with:

• Improving muscle strength following prolonged bed rest or surgery.
• Relaxation and exercises to control breathing.
• Pain management.
• Aids such as walking frames and wheelchairs to assist mobility.
• Moving or being moved safely.
• Making personal care easier.