Complementary Therapies provide a dimension to palliative care which supports and complements existing medical treatments.
Having the power to touch the inner self, these therapies help the client towards a natural state of physical, emotional and spiritual balance.
Little Haven Palliative Care nurses, GP’s, therapists and respite volunteers work together in a team approach. The complementary therapies program is a valuable component of our service.
Complementary Therapies are often used in palliative care to provide comfort and relaxation, assist your body to fight disease and to help restore a healthy balance of body, mind and spirit, resulting in a feeling of well-being.
Natural therapies and alternative health methods can be used alongside conventional medical treatments. Indeed, often the complementary therapy promotes a relaxed state that helps—or complements—conventional medicine.
Little Haven’s fully qualified trained practitioners offer their services free of charge to those in our community who are affected by a life-threatening illness and those people who care for them.
Wednesday 12.30 pm – 4.30pm Reiki
Therapist: Janelle Peters
Reiki is a gentle, simple style of hands-on energy transfer, which was developed in Japan by Mikao Usui in the 1920’s to achieve Unity of Self through harmony and balance. Life force flows through our physical body as well as through and around us in a field of energy known as the aura. This life force nourishes the organs and cells of the body to support them in their essential functions, through the meridians. When this flow of energy is disrupted, it can cause diminished function in one or more of the organs and tissues of the physical body. What Reiki does physically is to help bring the body into a balanced state.
Monday 9 – 3pm and Thursday 12 – 3pm Oncology Massage ~ Bowen Therapy ~Reiki
Therapist: Lynnette Stevens
Lynnette is a highly skilled practitioner and offers a variety of complementary therapy modalities depending on the identified needs of the client, including Oncology and Clinical massage, Bowtech Bowen Therapy and Reiki.
By appointment (through Little Haven office)
Mondays 9am – 4pm – Art Therapy
Individual and Group sessions with Facilitator Cathy Strajnar
Art therapy sessions can involve drawing with pastels, painting, creating a collage, moulding with clay, making masks, working with inks, weaving, and more. The sensory engagement with art materials and the act of creating could open new pathways of seeing, feeling and thought. You do not have to be ‘good at art’ to gain benefit from art therapy, with many finding Many find that letting go of the expectations about the ‘look’ of the art can bring a freedom to just explore and discover. In both individual and group art therapy, the focus is on the process of making the art, rather than the aesthetics of the outcome.
Individuals 9am, 10.30am, 3pm Groups 12.30pm—3pm
Tuesday 9.00 am—10.00 am – Relaxation & Meditation Group
Facilitators: Kate Balston & Darry Mullins
The relaxation and meditation group help and encourage each other particularly in times of stress, either through ill- health, bereavement or other issues. Through relaxation we get in touch with our mind & body and the healing powers within us. Meditation & Relaxation tapes are used to achieve this state. With our body relaxed & our mind calm we begin to view the world and our problems in a more positive light. With a consciousness of privacy, everyone within the group can feel open and at ease.
Tuesday 10 – 12pm/ Friday 10am-1pm
Relaxation Massage
Therapist: Jean Marie Piron
A restful 1 hr gentle touch massage with / without Australian native essential oils helping to soothe the mind and create a deep sense of relaxation.
Wednesday 9am – 12 pm Therapeutic Massage
Therapist: Peter Anderson
Peter has a wealth of experience and qualifications working with Chemotherapy patients, lymphatic drainage and oncology massage utilizing;
- Swedish (Relaxation)
- Remedial (working on problem areas)
- Reflexology (Feet & Hands)
The massage experience can be tailored for each person so that the 60 minute massage is exactly what is needed.
For appointments outside this day, please contact Peter direct on 53089909
Australian Bush Flower Essences
Therapist: Narelle Griffiths
The history of flower essences can be traced back thousands of years with many cultures using flower essences to treat emotional health and well being. We are once again beginning to understand that emotional well being is a major component of good health in the whole person.
Flower essences have been described as vibrational therapy. The Australian Bush Flower Essences range of pure botanical flower essences can be used by the whole family and are extremely helpful in times of stress. By appointment (through Little Haven office)
