I.H.M and cancer

[Eric OConnell]

i do some work in a hospice doing reflexology and am wondering about doing the I.H.M as well.
does anyone no anything about doing indian head massage on cancer patients?
any advise would be great.
thanks

 

[Gymnmoose]

Hiya

The staff supervising you at the hospice should give you some guidance on this.

You would do well to read the PFIH guidelines on this, as most palliative care centres rely upon this document for advice when devising their own rules. The guidelines are the same really for massage as for IHM.


http://www.fih.org.uk/information_library/publications/health_guidelines/complementary.html

Some points to note:
The cancer and treatment will determine how you proceed.
Avoid hacking, cupping, frictions and anything which is overly stimulating, for those at end of life, in particular if the cancer has spread to their bones, they will respond unfavourably to anything too stimulating. Effleurage, stroking is the only way to go really, gentle, nurturing movements and often lots of holding movements. Throw your routine out of the window and handpick the gentler things, sometimes beig creative can produce some lovely movements. It doesn't matter if you have to repeat the movements a lot, sometimes this can induce deeper relaxation.

Short treatments, some may manage a half hour, others only 5-10 minutes.

Site of cancers :
Spine - avoid working too closely to the spine
Radiotherapy - Ask the hospice for guidance on this, there is usually an agreed time to wait after radiotherapy before working localised areas
Site of tumours/ any recent operations - Depends on the client, stroking, gentle moves, some may want to avoid the localised area
You may need to move the client about to get them comfortable or they may not be able to sit unsupported
Oils - Generally, base oils are ok, there are a lot more restrictions if you are using essential oils, in particular with regards contraindications and treatment received

I'll shut up for now, but those are the basics, I think..