Scottish Institute of Reflexology

CANCER CARE COURSE

Adapting Reflexology for Supportive & Palliative Care
A weekend course at Christie Hospital, Manchester.

As a reflexologist working in a Cancer Care Day Centre, I felt the need for specialist training and reassurance about working in this field.  It is almost two years since I started at the Centre, firstly as a volunteer reflexologist, and eventually becoming a part-time member of the palliative care ‘team’.   I have been qualified for almost three years.

Two staff members at the Day Centre where I work give regular Reiki treatments, there is also an Aromatherapist, and myself.  I enjoy my work at the Centre very much indeed and have found it very rewarding. There have been challenging and anxious moments too, as a ‘sole’ reflexologist  in a medical setting working with a very vulnerable group of people.  However, the pleasure and understanding, knowledge and privilege this has brought to me far outweigh those passing concerns.  The atmosphere in the unit is always friendly, occasionally serious - but never sad.  There is a lot of laughter, and it is touching and very admirable to see patients arriving at the Centre and with relief and abandon, take their wigs off, forgetting for a while the outside world and its ‘expectations’.

My two days at Christie, helped to dispel many of my ‘niggling’ thoughts and some of the myths surrounding whether to treat or not under specific circumstances, as well as some other aspects of working as a reflexologist in palliative care.

I found it invaluable for my peace of mind, and would certainly recommend other therapists working with cancer patients or the very vulnerable to attend one of the courses offered at Christie Hospital.

Having decided travelling by car to the course in Manchester was the easiest (& cheapest) mode of transport, I had the good fortune to be accompanied for the weekend by my map reader, good friend and reflexology colleague, Brenda Martin.  (We have forgiven each other for our indecision at a roundabout somewhere south of Manchester which we circled I think FIVE times in our desperation to find the correct route to our chosen Guest House!!)  Brenda also works in a palliative care setting. 

Course venue: Christie Hospital, Manchester.

Course Presentations given by Edwina Hodkinson, Peter Mackereth and Barbara Cook.

Firstly a little about the presenters to give you an overview of their back ground. 

Edwina Hodkinson:  a wonderfully energetic, enthusiastic and approachable person, who was able to communicate to our group many aspects of the course with reassurance and
natural ease. Edwina is a RGN, BRCP, MAR Adv Reflex (level 3) MIFPA.  She has had years of experience as an aromatherapist and clinical reflexologist and runs a busy private practice, which included work at Bury Hospice.
She is also a Healer.

Peter Mackereth: Peter is a Lecturer and Practitioner in Complementary Therapies at Christie
Hospital & Salford University.  Like Edwina, he is full of energy and enthusiasm for his work.
His qualifications include MA, RGN, Cert. Ed. Dip Nursing.  He has had a career in nursing, teaching and research.  He is currently involved in a PhD project examining therapeutic outcomes for reflexology and relaxation.

Barbara Cook:  Barbara’s lovely voice and reassuring presence completely ‘won me over’ to this speciality therapy, Reflexology, Relaxation & Visualisation techniques for people with cancer.  Barbara is also an RGN, MAR BRCMP, Senior Complementary Therapist and Teacher for the Adapting Reflexology for Hospice and Cancer Care Course, Beechwood, Cheshire.  She is also an Aromatherapist and Reiki practitioner.
     
Some of the course content:
The history and professional practice and development of reflexology
Indications and possible adaptations for the intervention (eg:  working with a patient receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy)
Contra-indications for use of intervention
Safety & comfort issues
Hazards & concerns in using reflexology in supportive & palliative care settings
Utilising available literature
Practising the safe delivery of adapted reflexology
Identify and plan mechanisms of support, supervision and CPD to maintain safe and professional reflexology practice

To read more, why not subscribe to Footnotes by contacting our secretary mmreflex@aol.com  (£20 for 4 editions)

Copyright S.I.R. 2005

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