A Reflexologist’s Experience in a Palliative Setting.
Professional Reflexology Member Anne Strange talks about her experience of working in a Cardiff hospital oncology department for three years first as a volunteer then as a permanent member of staff, the first NHS salaried therapist in Wales.

My experience working as a reflexologist began in 2003, when I needed a working placement as a student of HND in Complementary Therapies. I chose an oncology hospital in Cardiff that had a small complementary therapy team in its early days of establishment.

The team consisted of 1 male full time therapist and two part-time volunteers and I was their first student therapist. Being a retired nurse of 20years was probably an influencing factor in their acceptance of this unique opportunity.
I was well supported in the first six weeks and shadowed the others until I satisfied their criteria. Although I had been taught the Eunice Ingham method of reflexology, it was not the right level of pressure in this working area, even though the content was satisfactory. I had to re-learn the skill of feather-light touch, as this clientele were so unwell that they could not be put through a healing crisis by over zealous reflexology.
I also had to learn quickly that in the daily workings of a busy hospital, as we were working in the wards, out-patients and chemotherapy units, we were least priority. If the patient/client was needed for a medical procedure or x-ray, then that took precedence. We had to blend into their environment and be accommodating at all times.

But as the months went by and I became more proficient, so our ‘team’ became more effective. An extra pair of hands suddenly made a difference in the number of patients we were treating and better still more positive comments from patients and nursing staff spread around the hospital. This led to our first audit and successful findings as we saw 3,000 pairs of feet in that year.

We were making a difference in the patients’ battle with cancer and they said so. A research project and survey of the patients’ experience was collected and the results gave us a measurement tool of our effectiveness. We had documentary evidence and pie charts that the NHS recognised in their terminology and this secured our positions. The two volunteers and I were given permanent part-time posts in the Trust and so the team was established. The first we know of as salaried therapists in the NHS in Wales.

We had worked quietly and steadfastly, gaining respect from the nurses and doctors by complementing their care to patients. It was a breakthrough that led to standards being established and policies and procedures being drawn up and a compliment of more volunteers taken on to support the ever increasing patient referrals. Even a Saturday clinic was created to offer treatments to carers/relatives and NHS staff that needed de-stressing.

Our presence was recognised at last and the nurses and doctors would ask for our assistance in many situations. A needle phobic patient, a painful procedure like needle aspiration or a patient just fearful of chemotherapy, all benefited from reflexology and sometimes Reiki. It relaxed them enough to cope with their ordeal, it lessened their nausea/vomiting symptoms and it helped with bowel movement from the effects of analgesia, but most of all it helped them to cope. A moment out of the madness and time out and we know this, as they told us.
Thirty to forty minute treatments on the ward was sufficient, but in our out patient clinics we were able to maintain an hour of therapy, as this helped our chronic patients and those survivors of cancer that were left traumatised by the experience. We could support them as long as was needed and within the constraints of availability of demand.

As we integrated into the ward team, so it became necessary to become methodical in our posts and we attended early morning multi-disciplinary ward meetings as valued members and able to offer input from our opinions in the welfare of any referred patients. We also had to check patient notes for any contra-indications such as DVT diagnosis that day, or cross-infection issues that needed consideration prior to commencement of treatment and feed back important information to the rest of our therapy team.
We wrote in the patient notes our treatment with no ‘airy-fairy’ terminology, ensuring the reflexes were the imbalances and not the anatomical parts. We also had our own patient documentation for posterity and filed in a locked cabinet in our office. We never gave post consultation of findings as this was considered as not appropriate by the Trust. It was not a medical procedure and therefore thought too confusing to the patient with an already uphill struggle of health concerns.

I had to learn and accept this difference, in the hospital no feedback, but at home in my clinic it would be necessary. My documentation is not dissimilar to the hospital and I have tried to keep the minimum of paperwork, such as the important questionnaire and lifestyle etc., giving more time to the therapy. I believe the client or patient comes to you in need of the treatment, the warmth of your hands, the touch, and the concern of your expression. I have learned this is the impact of good care, together with your empathy and the wonderful reflexology that makes it a successful therapy.

Today, the complementary therapy department has amalgamated with the other hospital therapies in one department. The integrated team has a new female manager, a secretary, at least six paid part-time staff and several part-time volunteers. They continue to offer cancer patients a relaxing and effective complementary treatment.
As for me, I left them in 2006 to become my own boss at my home clinic. I have taught reflexology and A&P at Inspira with Sue Evans (a private reflexology school) for eight years and finished there last year. I now work just from home, due to aging parents, a grandchild on the way and a dodgy thyroid.

Nothing compares to this wonderful therapy, not even nursing and I value the 3 years I spent in the palliative/terminal setting for the experience it gave me. Learning by the process of disease impacted on the feet reflexes was an invaluable lesson and is a great opportunity for any student reflexologist/qualified reflexologist.

The benefits are even greater in this setting to the receiver of this subtle therapy.

Our thanks go to Anne Strange for this article

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Diary Date: Sunday 19th Monday 20th May

Holistic Health Show at the NEC in Birmingham is on Sunday13th and Monday 14th May. Well worth a visit.

Entry is completely free for professionals just pre register to save queuing Click Here

Benefits for Professional Reflexologists

Professional Reflexology is a membership organisation and was formed in 2010 to promote Reflexology and Professional Reflexologists

A forward thinking organisation, Professional Reflexology (and its online magazine Reflexology News) is here to help and support Reflexologists. We are run by Reflexologists and tutors with over 100 years joint experience of the therapy, we have a unique understanding of the needs of reflexologists and our members.

You get the benefit of our experience; we listen to our members.

Professional Reflexology is the fastest growing membership body in the UK and is fully recognised by the CNHC as a verifying body for our members who wish to join the CNHC.

We also offer membership to students studying on level 3 diploma and level 5 courses at only £25 including up to 18 months insurance

 For Professional Reflexology Members our concept is unique and here is why:

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