We offer a range of complementary therapies to help relieve stress or stress-related symptoms. These therapies complement conventional treatment and are not alternative treatments or intended to be a substitute for the medical treatment of cancer.
These therapies are suitable before, during and after cancer treatment and all our therapists have additional training in working with patients with cancer.
This service is available to NHS patients and private patients under the care of a Mount Vernon Cancer Centre doctor. See details further down this page about how to book.
This service is funded by East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity and any voluntary donations are always welcome. Appointments last between 20 – 45 minutes and are one-to-one apart from ear acupuncture and relaxation therapy, which are group sessions and last 90 minutes.
- Aromatherapy massage
- Creation of bespoke aroma-inhalers (aromasticks)
- Massage
- Ear acupuncture – we use a method called the NADA protocol, which has been found to be helpful in a range of conditions, including symptoms from the side effects of cancer and its treatment
- Indian head massage
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Relaxation therapy (group sessions or remote sessions via phone or online)
We may offer a series of up to four sessions of a touch therapy. These therapies are only provided by a pre-booked appointment. Each session is one hour, allowing 20-45 mins for the therapy itself. There is a high demand for these so unfortunately there is sometimes a waiting list. We will do our best to arrange an appointment to suit you.
- Call our helpline: 020 3826 2555 (9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday)
- Email us: [email protected]
- Someone in your medical team can refer you
- Drop in to the Lynda Jackson Centre and make an appointment. We’re based next to the Cancer Treatment Suite, near the Gate 3 entrance and open 9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Please arrive 5 minutes before and allow time for parking, especially for morning appointments. There is a Pay & Display parking scheme in operation 24 hours a day. Please try to arrive on time as your session time will need to be reduced if you are late.
If you can’t come to your appointment, please give at least 24 hours’ notice if possible, so we can offer it to someone else. Please call the helpline on 020 3826 2555.
Please be aware that due to high demand there is often a waiting list. We will do our best to arrange an appointment to suit you.
We also offer a service to patients on the wards and Cancer Treatment Suite. Ward sessions are available by a referral completed by medical staff and sessions in the Cancer Treatment Suite are ad hoc and offered on the day.
Patients are eligible to have four sessions of complementary therapy (includes reiki, massage, aromatherapy and reflexology) at the Lynda Jackson Centre. Once completed, patients can book privately with a local therapist via our Complementary Therapy Network.
The Complementary Therapy Network is a list of professionally registered and experienced therapists who work with people affected by cancer and have had specialist training with us in cancer care.
Each therapist has their own fee structure and may offer a sliding scale depending on what you can afford. Please note that inclusion on this list does not imply or suggest a recommendation by us.
Please click here for the therapist’s network
A form of gentle massage using carefully selected essential oils extracted from flowers, herbs, trees or other plants. Their therapeutic value has been recognised since ancient Egyptian times, and they have been used in many cultures.
The oils are chosen with you and used in a very dilute form, taking into consideration any symptoms you may have, your treatment and any side-effects caused by it.
This is particularly important to help prevent, as far as is possible, any skin sensitivity to the oils (very rare) or any increase in existing symptoms such as nausea. Most people find the sessions extremely relaxing and beneficial.
Aromasticks are a portable inhaler device. Essential oils are placed onto an absorbent wick, which is then put inside an inhaler case. They can provide various effects, such as soothing, calming, uplifting, energising and can help with easier breathing and an increased sense of wellbeing.
The complementary therapy team can offer a combination of oils to suit you and that can help with anxiety, fatigue, low energy, sleep issues, low mood, etc.
Aromasticks can be used in combination with relaxation, breathwork and visualisation techniques.
Inhalers can be made on request for you. Please come to the centre and ask for an order form from our healthcare professional office, call us on 020 3826 2555 (9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected]
Massage has been practised for many centuries and is probably the oldest known therapy. Over the centuries, different techniques have developed including Swedish, Shiatsu and Thai. A base oil such as sunflower or almond oil is used.
Massage therapy is soothing and relaxing to experience. Our therapists combine different types of massage techniques to relieve stress, anxiety and muscle tension, using a light to medium pressure. Please note, no deep pressure is used.
If certain positions are uncomfortable for you, please tell the therapist so they can adapt to ensure your comfort.
A relaxing treatment focusing on massaging the scalp as well as the upper back, shoulders, neck and face. As the name suggests, this therapy originated in India.
The treatment involves massage and acupressure techniques and helps to bring about a feeling of calmness, well-being and relaxation. It may help alleviate stress, tension and insomnia and relieve neck and shoulder stiffness. The treatment lasts 15 – 30 minutes and we may be able to offer a short course or one-off session.
Reflexology is based on the theory that particular areas of the feet relate to different areas of your body. By applying gentle pressure to these points, the different body ‘systems’ can be gently re-balanced. Reflexology can improve relaxation and wellbeing. Some patients report that it helps specific symptoms such as pain or constipation.
Please note that reflexology is not suitable for anyone with phlebitis or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the arms and legs. Please call our helpline on 020 3826 2555 if you have any concerns.
Reiki is believed to have originated in Tibet in the 1st century. It is a very gentle therapy which promotes better health and a feeling of well-being. There is no need for you to undress, and you can have the treatment lying down or sitting in a chair. The therapist moves their hands either with a light touch or no touch at all (if you prefer) over your body at short intervals. We recommend you wear loose clothing for your comfort.
This offered to patients in a small mixed group setting and as a course of 6 weekly sessions. It can help relieve some of the side effects following cancer treatment which can include fatigue, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, hot flushes and urinary problems. Please note that there are some eligibility criteria to check the treatment is suitable for you. For example, it is not appropriate for those with head and neck cancers. Download our information leaflet for more details
PI18 Ear acupuncture service at the LJMC
This leaflet should be read in conjunction with the relevant supplementary leaflet:
| PI18a Ear acupuncture service for women | |
| PI18b Ear acupuncture service for men |
An evaluation of this service was published in Supportive Care in Cancer (2022):
Relaxation classes offer you the chance to learn about different ways to help yourself relax and feel calmer. Our relaxation classes are offered four times a week.
We also offer a 4-week course of remote (online) group relaxation classes for people who are unable to come to the centre. We also offer one-to-one sessions by phone. You will need to book an appointment for online or phone sessions.
A relaxation therapist will help you use various techniques such as breathing exercises, gentle muscular relaxation, meditation and visualisation in the relaxation room, sitting in comfortable chairs.
Learning these skills can mean you can use them wherever and whenever you want in the future. It is a drop-in class, so you don’t need to book a place, however, we do recommend booking a place if you are travelling from further away so that you can be guaranteed a place.
We advise you to call our helpline on 0203 826 2555 on the day of the session to check that it is taking place.
Listen to a relaxation recording
The LJC also stocks a range of relaxation CDs to buy or borrow.
Our own CD – Relaxation – is also available to purchase or download. This was recorded specially for the LJC by Relaxation Therapist Ann Weston with music composed by Steph West.
Just click on the image to play the recording.
Qigong consists of simple flowing movement, breathwork and self-help acupressure to support wellbeing and bring a sense of calm. This class is open to patients, staff and volunteers. Please refer to our Health and Wellbeing Calendar to check dates Hyperlink to calendar
