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 serotin.  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 well-being 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.

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

Cranio-sacral therapy is a very gentle, non-invasive treatment which can have a profound influence on the body’s natural self-healing ability. It can aid in the release of both physical and psychological patterns built up through illness, injury or distress. The process enhances the underlying vitality pervading our whole selves. Cranio-sacral therapy can bring benefit to most people, from aches and pains to chronic conditions.

Cranio-sacral therapy is so gentle that it is suitable for all clients, including those suffering from painful conditions. Treatment usually involves lying fully-clothed on a treatment couch. The therapist places her hands very lightly on the body, often at the head. Any disturbance to the free movement of body tissue, circulation or vitality can be identified by touch and the restrictions removed through gentle movements. A sense of deep relaxation is often experienced throughout the session.

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 avaiable to diabetics.

Healing

Healing may be given and can be helpful for any illness, stress or injury and is complementary to any other therapy.  It can help in relieving pain and stress and can provide an improvemnt in the way patient feels.

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 will enhance the depth and outcome of a reflexology 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.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Comprehensive Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is used primarily in the treatment of lymphoedema and venous insufficiency oedema.  It is a combination of MLD, bandaging, exercises and skin care.

Manuel Lymphatic Drainage is a unique, therapeutic method of stimulating the movement of fluids in the tissues. The gentle, rhythmic, pumping, massage movements follow the direction of lymph flow and produce rapid results.  It assists the cutaneous lymphatics in picking up and removing not just fluids, but all the waste products, protein particles and debris from the system.  The massage stimulates the lymphatic vessels which carry substances vital to the defence of the body and removes waste products.

The first visit will include a consultation and the therapist will outline the number and frequency of sessions.  After each session, your limb will be wrapped in compression bandages to prevent reswelling until the next session.  Once the limb is down to the desired size, you will be measured for a custom made compression hosiery type garment and pressure sleeve.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is concerned with human function and movement and maximising potential:

• It uses clinical judgement to select from various physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, tailored to the individual's needs.
• It is science-based, formulated from ongoing research evidence to provide the highest quality of care.

The many conditions treated include back or neck pain, fractures, incontinence, pain, arthritis, joint replacements and repetitive strain injury.  Techniques used include joint mobilisations, therapeutic massage, electrotherapy, acupuncture, relaxation exercises, Pilates exercises, postural re-alignment exercises, stretches and general strengthening exercises.

Reflexology

Reflexology is an 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. Reiki can help prevent physical illness by restoring and maintaining balance, and instilling confidence and restoring self-esteem.

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.

Urinary Continence Service for Men

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.