Cancer Care Treatment |
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Reflexology can be used for clients that are going through cancer treatment as a complimentary therapy for "Body, Mind and Spirit". Reflexology is not a stand alone treatment or cure for cancer. Reflexology does not interfere with the chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The Cancer Council supports the use of Reflexology and other Body Based Practices as a complimentary therapy. In the UK Reflexology is widely used together with regular main stream treatments in the hospitals. Australia does also provide this service in a Hospital in Perth and commencing July 19 in Melbourne at the Peter Callum Cancer Centre.
Below are some benefits for reflexology as a complementary therapy for cancer patients:-
Below are some benefits for reflexology as a complementary therapy for cancer patients:-
- Helps to ease pain
- Boosts the immune system
- Provides a deep relaxation and relieves stress
- Assists with circulation
- Relaxes muscles and nerves
- Reduce digestive problems
- Provides more relaxed and deeper breathing
- Helps to increase appetite
- Greatly improves quality of life
- Improves mental outlook and assists with removing fear about the future
- The deep relaxation may assist to access to one's soul and spirit through meditation and quietening of the mind
I have found the following to assist with healing. When illness is in the body you need to look at all parts of your life to heal your mind, body and spirit and not just cut out the cancer and keep living the same way. Below are some suggestions.
- Take time out for yourself on a daily basis to do what you love to do. I know that this can be challenging when you have small children however it is really, really important. It may just be to water the garden for 10 minutes. Being in the garden or walking in nature is grounding.
- Take time for rest and relaxation. Have some fun, put some music on, dance, watch a good movie, dinner or lunch with family or good friends, have regular reflexology or other body treatments. Go to your happy place (literally) when you can. The photo above is mine. The top of the lookout in Arcadia looking down to Alma bay.
- Breathe deeply and be conscious of shallow breathing. When you shallow breath it has a big impact on the brain functionality.
- "Let go" of any perceived injustices of what has been done or said to you. Forgiveness is such a big key to happiness. On a soul level nobody does anything to you without you having given permission to do so prior to you being born. This is how we grow and learn in life. Some lessons are harder than others and I still struggle with this one at times.... because I am human. Forgiveness is also for yourself because we are harder on ourselves than anyone else ever is. Do a daily practice of forgiveness and review your day when you go to bed. "Let it Go".
- Following on from forgiveness is "LOVE". Think good thoughts about other people and send love to them. Don't forget to LOVE yourself! An easy affirmation from Louise Hay is "I love and approve of myself".
- Allow friends and family to be themselves... unless asking for your opinion don't try and fix them, often time people just want to be heard and listened to.... become a good listener.
- Do some meditation daily. It only needs to be 10-20 minutes each day and then be mindful of your day to day conversations and thoughts to be positive thoughts.
- Exercise daily. It may just be a 25 minute walk with the dog or a longer hour session however just move. Yoga is excellent to stretch your body and increase breathing and many other health benefits. Exercise has been proven to improve moods, assist weight loss, increase circulation, improve heart health.
- Eat a healthy diet mainly of vegetables, fruit & nuts. Small amount of meat (if not vegan or vegetarian), bread, eggs, dairy and cheese. Limit cakes and biscuits as a treat not a daily snack. Snacks can be fruit, hummus or guacamole with carrot, celery and capsicum sticks. Apple muffins (liver cleaning book recipe), protein balls, vegetable juices, handful of nuts.
- Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. Upon rising have a 1/2 lemon squeezed in water. This is good for the liver and the kidneys. Too often people are dehydrated and don't even realise. Dehydration has a big impact on mental health.
- Change your body and house cleaning products to non-toxic items. Avoid chemical exposure and use.
- Have some healing time with the sun's healing rays daily. Only a short amount of time and not with sun directly on your face. The mid-morning sun is energising and the late afternoon is relaxing.
- Recognise and remove any or all causes of disease. Overworked, stressed, worry, anger, resentment are just some of the mental causes of disease. Be mindful if you are experiencing these and look at ways to reduce and turn around the situation. Thoughts are things and by focusing on the positives instead of the negative balance can be found. Use visualisation, affirmations daily and make a vision board and create some positive goals.
