The benefits of complementary therapy felt by hospice patients

Patients at Heart of Kent Hospice are feeling the benefits of a range of complementary therapies provided by volunteers who offer massage and relaxation techniques at the Hospice Hub and on our Inpatient Unit. To mark Complementary Therapy Week, which runs from 20-26 March, we spoke to three of our volunteer therapists. 

Sharon, who specialises in massage and aromatherapy at the hospice said: “It’s all about putting a smile on patients’ faces and they love the fact they can chat to their friends over coffee while I move my stool around to provide non-intrusive therapies that can include hand and foot massages. There is also a therapy room with a lovely electronic bed to lift patients up and down if some privacy is required. Foot massage is proving one of the most popular therapies. At first the men were quite hesitant to try massage but they now love the experience just as much as the women.” 

“Cancer patients often say that as you get more seriously ill, friends and family stop physically touching you because they are frightened you are too fragile, and this contact is something patients really miss as it helps provide comfort. Massage also helps us de-stress, which is important when we are struggling with a difficult health diagnosis.” Sharon also loves chatting to patients about what they did for a living and listening to how they have spent their lives and what they have achieved.   

Fiona and Mike are both volunteer Relaxation Therapists. Fiona began volunteering at the hospice over 15 years ago and now runs a weekly relaxation session at the Hub on Mondays. Mike runs another relaxation session on Thursdays, having been first introduced to the hospice as a volunteer Compassionate Neighbour. Relaxation sessions have become increasingly popular giving people a chance to pause, focus on their breathing and take time to rest and relax. 

Asked why the classes are so popular, Fiona said: “I think anybody who is dealing with a life-limiting disease or is caring for somebody so unwell, will naturally be tense, worried or concerned. Sometimes it's very difficult to take your mind away from it and I think relaxation sessions give you that opportunity. You'll learn how to breathe properly then that brings relaxation to the muscles, but it also brings a lack of tension.” 

Mike said: “The carers enjoy the relaxation session as much as the patients and I think what it's doing is actually giving them the permission to completely forget about their responsibility and just relax alongside other people for a while, away from all the medical things they have to continually think about.” 

Thank you to Mike, Fiona and Sharon for volunteering at the hospice and bringing comfort to people at our Hub sessions.