Aromatherapy in Palliative care training?

[Bob Bone]

Hi,
I have a client who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer ..outcome not good. I was treating her before the diagnosis and she has been receiving palliative chemotherapy (for quality of life, not a cure). I was reluctant to treat her while she was having the chemo as I read that the oils can remove the chemo too quickly, but now she has been offered aromatherapy through the palliative care services in our area. My question is do I need to have extra training in order to give her treatments or can I go ahead ...obviously researching which oils to avoid.

The next available course run by the hospice in Dublin is Touch for cancer care in October, for obvious reasons I really can't wait that long and I also want to concentrate on Aromatherapy. Is it necessary to become a clinical aromatherapist, the hospice also runs this course but it is quite expensive and I am not sure if I can take in all the chemistry stuff, as I found it quite difficult.

Any advice appreciated.
Thanks
Aroma Amethyst

 

[the rick]

I have been working as a therapist for a cancer charity for a while now and would say that while it's quite important to have additional training to treat cancer patients, it would be a shame to stop treating your client as it will be so beneficial to her.

However, there are certain adaptations you should adhere to, for instance, not massaging over areas where there are tumours, using a much lighter touch than normal and 1% dilution of oils.

One really good document which will help you is the Prince of Wales' Foundation of Integrated Health Guidelines in Complementary Therapies in Supportive and Palliative Care. You can download a copy from their website and there is a section on aromatherapy. I believe these guidelines are pretty much the standard used by hospitals and hospices. The only thing not specified are oils to be used, as opinion varies on which ones are suitable. There are a few that are contraindicated for certain cancers that are oestrogen fed, but that's not relevant with pancreatic cancer.

Be guided by your client - you will be doing her a lot of good.

 

[grace]

I have treated several pancreatic cancer cases - all palliative. Worrying about contraindications is pointless at this stage - it is best to go with the care teams advice and whatever makes the patient feel good. I was treating a woman last year (she died on Boxing Day - I last treated her on Christmas Eve), and she just loved the relaxation that the massage gave her. I do MLD, so it was super-light pressure. I didn't use perfumed oils, just applied some E45 to soften my hands. She also couldn't tolerate strong smells or perfumes for the last 4-5 months, so everyone was careful not to wear or use any 'smellies' when they were around her. Listen to the patient, and take your lead from her.

 

[wishlist]

Hi Aromababe and Jabba the Hut, thanks so much for the replies, i feel a little more confident now. Will give an update when I get more info.

Thanks again
Aroma Amethyst

 

[?o ?? ly?? ????....]

Hi Aomababe
I have been looking at the Prince of Wales guidelines, great advice, thank you so much.

Aroma Amethyst

 

[s d]

Yes, the FIH site is quite interesting generally.

 

[na3oush]

Thanks Aromababe for the heads up, I've downloaded some very interesting documents, real food for thought here.

 

[ideaguy83]

I'm lucky enough to be able to attend a day at a hospice in Leicester on Tuesday on cancer for complementary therapists. I've been looking for something like this for ages and this was brought to my attention by a friend of mine. Depending whereabouts you are, it may be worth contacting your local Hospice about training/information opportunities.

Lesley

 

[?SaPpHiRe HAmMy?]

I am currently on 6 week cancer care course for complementary therapists. It is held in London at The Cancer Recource Centre. If you would like more information I will pm you the details.

 

[chabbigethito]

That sounds really good but I am in Ireland. I have looked at one of the hospices in the Dublin area and they have a touch for cancer 1 day workshop in October and they also do an essential oils in the cancer care environment but they aren't running that one until 2009 again.

Thanks.

 

[upinchronicsmoke]

Some of you may find the following book of interest

Massage & Bodywork (adapting therapies for cancer care)
by Peter Mackereth & Ann Carter

 

[starcraftstrategist]

Hi Aroma Amethyst

I've spent several years treating patients with various forms of cancer - and have attended several courses of training on aromatherapy and cancer care, and training for complementary therapists on cancer.

I agree with what Aromababe says about only using 1% dilution of essential oils - I would also recommend that only effleurage movements be used, no deep movements. When a patient is having chemotherapy one thing to watch out for is a low platelet count - if it falls below 80/109ltr don't massage as it t could cause bruising.
Always get the permission of the patients consultant (I have never been told not to treat, but have been advised when a patient has DVT - in which case I would use aromatherapy in a more subtle way other than massage).

On the question of essential oils I would recommend getting

Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, Tisserand and Balacs (1995).

Massage for People with Cancer by Patricia McNamara (1994)
Aromatherapy for Health Professionals by Shirley and Len Price.

If a client is currently having chemo avoid any draining oils i.e. diuretics. Always check for any allergies when using essential oils - do a patch test if in doubt. Never massage over any lumps or bumps, or hotspots and avoid radiotherapy sites that are still being treated and for about a fortnight afterwards (you can recognise the sites by the markers there made by the radiologist).

Massage/Aromatherapy Training courses have been run in the past by the IFA in London and The Clare Maxwell-Hudson School.

If I can think of anything else I'll post some more on here -

Please do not be deterred from giving a treatment - if you do not have access to training - use gentle oils, gentle massage, do a thorough questionnaire, if need be get talking to the medics who will be able to guide you further.

Luv Binah
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[nick h h]

Thanks Binah,
Yes I spoke to the palliative care team and they had no objection to me treating the lady and gave me the same pointers ...gentle effleurage etc and using safe and gentle oils. My lady really loved her treatments and they gave her great comfort. I am sad to say that she passed away very peacefully in her sleep at home in her own bed on the morning of the 7th August. I am very grateful to her for allowing me to treat her and I learnt a lot in the process. We thought we would have a couple more months but it was they way she would have wanted it, very peaceful, quiet and dignified.

 

[BalLovieuu]

Hi Aroma Amethyst

It is always a privilege to be able to offer aromatherapy to someone in their twilight days. So glad to hear your treatments were well received and that you got help from the Palliative Care Team.

It is very different giving treatments to someone we know is not going to recover from their illness. Needless to say it is rewarding to know that you have given such comfort which I am sure helped her peaceful passing.

Binah
x