Complementary therapies at Cancer Centre London

The Complementary Therapy Service is an integral part of the overall oncology healthcare service and offers a wide range of support to patients during their treatment at the Centre.

Our professional team of highly motivated and experienced therapists can help patients with emotional, physical and stress related aspects of cancer treatments, while our specially designed and equipped therapy rooms, chemotherapy suite and inpatient facility at Parkside Hospital provide excellent environments for relaxation.

If you are undergoing treatment for cancer at CCL, you are entitled to a number of free complementary therapy sessions. If your treatment consists of either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, you are entitled to four one-hour treatment sessions. If your treatment involves both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be entitled to six hours of complementary therapy. These hours can be broken down into 30-minute appointments, and arranged to suit your personal schedule, so we can be as considerate as possible of your treatment plan, work and family life. If you wish to continue with your complementary therapies after your four or six hours, additional sessions are available at a reasonable price. Many of our patients find it extremely beneficial to continue with complementary therapy throughout their treatment, and sometimes even after leaving CCL.

All of the therapists at Cancer Centre London are experts in the treatment of patients undergoing cancer treatment, and so are sensitive to the particular physical and emotional needs of each individual. Our therapists are on hand to offer support and assistance to all our patients; before, during and after their treatment.

Therapies

Therapies on offer at CCL include:

Aromatherapy massage

Aromatherapy massage is a gentle massage combined with the use of essential oils taken from plants known to promote relaxation and wellbeing. The treatment can either be a whole-body or part-body treatment. Our therapists are experienced in the care of patients with cancer and will avoid areas of tumour sites and areas of the body being treated with radiotherapy.

Reflexology

This treatment helps to promote relaxation and a feeling of wellbeing, and is a non-intrusive complementary health therapy, based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body. In general, reflexologists work holistically with their clients and aim to work alongside mainstream healthcare to promote better health for their clients. Our qualified reflexologist is specifically experienced in using reflexology in cancer patients, and will avoid any areas of tumour sites or radiotherapy treatment to ensure a comfortable and relaxing therapeutic session.

Indian head massage

Indian head massage involves massage to the shoulders, neck, face and head. It is a deeply relaxing treatment, which helps to promote a feeling of complete calm. At CCL, our therapists offer Indian head massage sessions that may help to:

• alleviate anxiety and tension
• relieve insomnia or migraines
• promote hair growth.