Chai Cancer Care offers a comprehensive range of complementary therapies to our clients. In addition to being an enjoyable experience, therapy will provide clients with tangible benefits.

All Chai's therapists are qualified and highly experienced in their individual areas of therapeutic practice.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture works by increasing the body's release of natural painkillers, endorphins and serotonin. This modifies the way pain signals are received. Furthermore, modern research shows that acupuncture can affect most of the body's systems, the nervous system, muscle tone, hormone outputs, circulation, antibody production and allergic responses, as well as the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems. It also has a general beneficial effect on health, with patients often noticing an improved sense of wellbeing after treatment.

At Chai, we also offer acupuncture as an aid to combating some of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as nausea, tiredness and lack of energy, tingling in extremities and a dry mouth or bad taste in the mouth.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a gentle form of massage that uses natural plant essential oils to help promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. A holistic treatment used to relax mind and body, aromatherapy eases aches and pains and benefits skin and circulation. The essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from the aromatic parts of plants. They have therapeutic properties that may help to boost the immune system and which can be uplifting and invigorating. The oils are selected and blended to suit individual clients needs.

Foot Care Service

Our therapist has been professionally trained by Dr. Scholl and can attend to minor foot conditions, which include a nail cutting service and the gentle removal of hard skin. Thickened nails can also be treated. The treatment will be completed by a soothing foot and leg massage, which stimulates circulation and can aid mobility.

This service is available at home or in our Hendon Centre.

This service is not available to diabetics.

Healing

Healing treats the whole person, is effective for all ages, and may be profoundly felt on many levels. It is effective with problems such as anxiety and depression as well as helping a multitude of physical symptoms. It helps with one's recovery from illness and other challenging circumstances. It can restore a zest for life, and its effects can be far reaching in terms of one's general happiness, and work and personal relationships. It is a simple, non intrusive therapy.

Hot Stones

The benefits of hot stone therapy is reflected by the huge surge in popularity of this therapy. Hot stone therapy combined with reflexology and/or massage will enhance the depth and outcome of a treatment. The power of special warm, volcanic stones soothes, and combined with the healing art of reflexology will help to achieve deep relaxation and emotional and physical balance.

Indian Head Massage

Indian head massage is a treatment based upon the Ayurvedic system of healing which has been practised in India for thousands of years. The treatment aims to reduce stress and tension that has built up in the muscles and tissues of the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. It is especially good for helping to relieve stress, muscle fatigue, insomnia, headaches and sinusitis. Indian head massage has a deeply calming effect and is rejuvenating for the whole body.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a holistic treatment which can help relieve a wide range of emotional and physical symptoms. Following illness and stress, reflexology can be used to restore and maintain the body's natural equilibrium, encouraging healing. Reflexology is based on an understanding that the body's bio-electrical energy flows through 10 vertical zones down the body to the feet and hands. By massaging or applying pressure to the feet, it is possible to effect changes in other areas of the body. The benefits of reflexology have been observed to have many beneficial effects including boosting the immune system and enhancing general health.

Reiki

Reiki is the ancient Japanese art of healing through the laying on of hands. Reiki is a very gentle but powerful method of holistic healing. Some of the many benefits include the relief of stress, alleviation of pain, relaxation, boosting the body's immune system, relief of insomnia, migraines, joint and muscular complaints and post-operative recovery.

Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage helps promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It can be deep or superficial, gentle or vigorous, and can involve movements or stretches of the joints, according to the needs of the individual. It aims to stimulate circulation, promote relaxation, boost energy levels, relieve pain, reduce stiffness that impedes movement and increase mobility.

Post Prostate Surgery Advice

Many people have incontinence at some time in their lives. The most common type is stress incontinence, when the bladder leaks if put under pressure, perhaps with a cough or a sneeze, or during strenuous activity. It becomes more common as people get older.

Urinary incontinence (leakage of urine) is also common in men after both radical prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Physiotherapists have a central role in treating incontinence. After assessment, if appropriate, exercises are taught to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can improve continence for both non-surgical or post operative clients. They may also be useful in conjuction with a bladder retraining programme aimed at improving bladder control in people who experience the urgent need to pass urine frequently.

For some men who have been given information on these exercises previously, supervision by a physiotherapist can improve their effect.