What We Do  Mind - Body Therapies |
|
 |
| Psychotherapy (different psychological methods of treating emotional problems) and counseling are available as part of standard support in Haemato-Oncology at St George's Hospital. The following therapies discussed here and are offered as part of the Full Circle Approach. They have been found to be helpful for patients undergoing chemotherapy and in isolation: |
| Relaxation |
|
| Simple
breathing and relaxation self-help exercises are very useful for a variety of
conditions, from migraine and high blood pressure to cancer. Almost everyone
can learn the techniques and they can offer an immediate and, at times, quite
dramatic reduction in the effects of anxiety and muscle tension, and on the
nervous system that controls blood pressure and the digestive tract. Many
people with cancer, and indeed many of their relatives, can be helped to
relax and experience a sense of calmness if taught these simple methods. Lying flat
may be uncomfortable for people who are breathless or in pain, but many
relaxation exercises can be done sitting up or using pillows for support.
|
| Visualisation (Mental Imagery) |
| This is a
technique that involves the use of imagination while you are in a state of
relaxation or meditation. For example, you might imagine that you are by the
sea or lying in a field full of beautiful flowers. The theory is that by
imagining a peaceful scene you will encourage yourself to feel more relaxed.
A simple exercise to show how imagination can produce physical changes is to
'picture' a lemon being cut in front of you. Most people who do this will
notice their salivary juices are stimulated. |
| Various research studies are under way to look at whether visualisation can improve
outcomes for people with cancer. Some studies have shown that focusing on
feeling better and stronger can reduce the symptoms of cancer and the side
effects of treatment for some people. |
| Meditation |
| One way of
understanding meditation is to see it as a mental exercise which can help to
deeply relax and calm the mind helping to reduce fear, pain, anxiety and
depression. All these feelings may affect people with illness and it is also
very easy to feel 'out of control'. Regular meditation practice can help
people feel more in control of themselves and their lives. Many studies have
shown that regular meditation reduces the pulse rate and lowers blood
pressure and 'stress' chemicals in the body. |
| There are many different types and styles of meditation. One type of
meditation is a style of Qigong meditation which combines simple but
effective breathing techniques alongside images of nature and seasons. We
have offered this meditation style to our Haematology patients and nursing
staff since 2000. |
| Bio-energy |
| Bio-energy
is a non-invasive, safe and gentle healing treatment that is not aimed at
curing illness. No faith or belief is needed on the part of the recipeint. |
During
treatment, the practitioner uses their hands
to work around the body, moving their hands
over each of the main energy centres and
the entire body. The practitioner may introduce
guided relaxation and qigong meditation
techniques to assist the patient. Treatment is carried out with the
individual either lying in bed or in a chair, if they prefer.
Bio-energy can help to counterbalance
states like fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleeplessness. After treatment
patients
may feel calmer, more at peace or may have more clarity so that problems
can be seen from a different perspective.
Download
Meditation Techniques in PDF.
|
