prostate cancer

[Grrr!]

Hi there not been on here for a very long time!! Somebody came and asked for one of my leaflets yesterday to give to their friend who has had prostate cancer. He wants to come for a treatment.

I haven't ever treated anybody post prostate cancer and wondered if I need to take any precautions atall? I thought that I should just be gentle over the area and not work it aggressively? Has anybody got any advice atall? Many thanks.

 

[Mrs.Tucker]

Go with how you feel - gentle over the relevant reflexes. He will probably benefit mainly from relaxation techniques, rather than 'treatment'. See how the first session goes - it may be best to recommend several treatments, increasing the time and pressure accordingly.

 

[kind]

I think the main thing to think about is that you as a practitioner does not diagnose, or treat for a specific condition, you are treating the whole person. All feet are different and sensitivities differ from person to person, so you have to judge how much pressure to use and this will depend on your observations of the client's reactions and feedback.

I always err on the side of caution the first time I treat and if possible get the client to get permission from his Dr.

Binah
xx

 

[? un?-z????]

Hi

I agree with Binah to be on the safe side get a letter from his doctor.

be safe

 

[G. #2]

Are you a member of the AoR? They have some guidelines for treating clients with cancer which you would find very useful.

Aside from that, I would agree with Binah - you're not treating a specific condition but the whole person so I wouldn't avoid or focus on any particular reflexes. I would incorporate lots of massage and relaxation techniques, go with the flow and follow your instincts.

 

[YohanA]

For my OH who also has prostate cancer, when I do his feet I go very lightly over certain areas. Aim as said before for relaxation. You may feel his feet are very puffy, which is quite common, so plenty of light relaxing strokes, no kneading or prodding.

Ask for his doctors permission, initially ask him to contact his doctor, just to cover you with the insurance and/or send a letter. You could just ask him to sign a piece to say that he is undertaking this without his doctors permission (often they dont give) as he is taking responsibility for his own body.

You dont say if he has had chemo or any treatment or currently under treatment, you really need to find out. Contact your local hospital, if they have a cancer unit, you may get some advice direct from them.

 

[hrpyatrpya]

I regularly work with people with different types of cancer and have done specific training in my therapies to work with cancer patients.

National guidelines state that you should avoid reflex points of areas where there are cancer as well as those relating to surgery and radiation. I do gently hold the areas affected.

Doctors will rarely supply letters approving or otherwise of therapies for their patients as they cannot be responsible for therapies they know nothing about.

The charity I work for informs the doctor (or specialist) that the client has asked for treatments and I usually ask the client to chat with their medic themselves about the treatment and ask if it's OK for them to receive a therapy. I then get the client to sign a disclaimer to say that they have checked with their doctor.

My insurance company (FHT) recommends this.

 

[insycacins]

Hi there - thanks for all your replies - I really appreciate it. I had planned to give a very relaxing treatment just to establish how he reacts to the tretment in the first instance. Yes I like the idea of holding reflex points rather than avoiding them all together - I often incorporate this in to my usual treatments so this will be great.

Also thanks for the pointer on puffy feet - that will be interesting to note.

He has had four reflexology treatments already at the cancer centre and he said that these have really helped him - purely in terms of relaxation - he says as he is very stressed.

I am planning to write to the GP to advise him that he has come for a treatment. My Gps are a bit hit and miss to be honest - sometimes they respond and others they just don't - which is infuriating for both client and myself - and to be honest pretty rude really. I thought I would write and inform on this occasion as he has had treatments before and he is post cancer. Thanks for all your advice - much appreciated. xx