Reflexology during Cancer and in Palliative Care
Alongside medical care, not instead of it
I went on a course about adapting reflexology for palliative care, and it shaped the way I work with people who are having a very hard time. Reflexology is a complementary therapy. It is not a treatment for cancer, and it is not a substitute for the care your medical team gives you. If you are having symptoms, or you are unsure about any complementary therapy, please speak to your GP or clinical team first.
One study that is often mentioned is by Sharp and colleagues, published in 2010. It looked at women in a UK NHS support centre after surgery for early breast cancer, comparing reflexology and massage with self-initiated support (shortened to SIS in the paper). This is their conclusion, which I am quoting rather than widening:
“The findings reported here suggest that when compared to SIS, reflexology and massage have statistically significant, and, for reflexology, clinically worthwhile, effects on quality of life following surgery for women with early breast cancer accessing a UK NHS support centre.
Reflexology can therefore be considered an evidence-based complementary intervention for improving the quality of life of women with early breast cancer.”
That finding belongs to that group of women and that study. It is not a claim that reflexology treats cancer, reduces pain, or treats side effects for everyone.
What I can offer
What I can offer is a calm, warm hour. Some people want quiet. Some want to talk. Macmillan Cancer Support describes complementary therapies as one way people cope with the stress of cancer and its treatment, and says many of them are relaxing. Their page is the right place to read their current guidance. I have also written a shorter note on reflexology and cancer care.
A diagnosis reaches the people around you as well. If a partner or friend would like an hour to themselves, they are welcome to book too. Again, this is time to rest, not a medical treatment.
If you would like to talk it through, please contact and book. You can also read about reflexology in general.