Therapeutic Massage using essential oils.

Over the past decade Complementary Therapies have become increasingly integrated into health care as evidence and research suggests that many people find therapies help them to cope with the experience of life threatening illness whatever its cause.  Hospice at Home recognised the need and benefits of Complementary Therapies by the introduction of Therapeutic Massage over two years ago. Throughout that time very positive feedback has been received from those individuals and their carers who have used the service.  Since June 2000 I have been working as Nurse Therapist for cancer services.

This service is available to patients at various stages of their disease, at diagnosis during and/or after treatment. Patients at the end stage of renal, respiratory and cardiac disease are also referred to the service.  Evaluation of patient questionnaires indicate how patients and carers benefit in various ways, anxiety is reduced, sleep patterns improved, a ‘time out’ from the rollercoaster of their condition – it is complementary to conventional treatment.

Within the Hospice at Home setting I am aware of the sensitivity of caring for a family member with deteriorating illness within the home situation. Therapeutic Massage has been described as conveying warmth, comfort, pleasure and safety. The effect of the individually selected essential oils (if applicable) through both skin absorption and inhalation nourish the skin and invoke pleasant thoughts. Each of us reacts to aromas in different ways and that is why the oil is not only chosen for its physical but emotional and spiritual effects. 

The service is available to patients their relatives and carers within their home setting or other agreed venues, to ease their tensions and also enable them to learn basic massage techniques. These may provide relief and also encourage reassuring touch between carer and patient which may have reduced during progression of the illness.  The recognition of the individual and their choice to be cared for at home is the ethos of Hospice at Home, and the provision of therapeutic massage as part of the clinical team complements the service. I look forward to enhancing the holistic care provided to patients and carers.

Judy Gopsill RGN