Hi all,
I have just been appraoched by a potential client who has just had her ovaries removed a week ago. She was wondering if reflexology could help her in any way. She only had the op a week ago, which I thought on it's own is too soon to have a treatment. Isn't it better to wait 2-3 weeks?
As for the cancer, I have not treated anyone undergoing cancer treatment, and was wondering what sort of precautions are required there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks...Kathryn
RE: reflexology and ovarian cancer
Hiya Kathryn
I've just posted a reply on the Prostate Cancer thread here in which I've touched on consent. In this situation you could ask the lady for her consultant's contact details and get in touch with them to get their consent (obviously with your client's permission). Alternatively you could ask the lady to check with her consultant. If the consultant comes back and says fine go ahead, then you will feel better about treating the lady.
Sorry to state the obvious, but you must make it clear to the lady that you cannot cure cancer. It is vital that you gauge her expectations. Explain that reflexology can help you recover after surgery and heal well, that it can help you live withstress and pain, help boost the immune system,and that it can help with the side effects of any medication she will need to take eg chemotherapy, and so on.
It's not about treatingthis lady'scancer (which we don't do and mustn't claim to do). It's about treating her as an individualwho happens to be living with cancer. It's easy as a therapist to 'label' a person because of the condition they're living with, even though we don't intend it. I'm not suggesting that you fall into this category Kathryn, but I wanted to make the point for everyone to read here because it's really important.Treat a person with cancergently, but treat as you find. There may be all sorts of things going on in their feet. If you are worried about her operation site on her feet, I would suggest that you just try holding the points and imagine loving energy flowing through your hands.
If at the end of the day you think you wouldn't be comfortable treating this ladyor feel you would be out of your depth, it's best to refer her to another reflexologist. You need to feel happy and confident in what you're doing and nobody would think less of you for doing it, Kathryn.
Finally, St Christopher's Hospice (Sydenham I think)and St Wilfrid's Hospice (Chichester)are two places I know of that run workshops for therapists working with people with cancer. Bristol Cancer Centre most likely runs them too. They are meant to be marvellous courses.