Complementary therapies

The complementary therapy team is here to support you throughout your time with us at Velindre Cancer Centre. We know you may not always be feeling yourself and experience times when you are worried, sad, angry and upset. It is possible that side effects and symptoms of your condition and treatment may leave you feeling tired, sick and achy. We are here to help you through these times so you can find some relief and rest.

The team provide a variety of complementary therapies including aromatherapy, massage, reflexology, reiki and sound therapy. These take place in our therapy room or whilst you stay with us on the ward and even during SACT and radiotherapy treatments. You can even enjoy the treatments at home, as the service is able to provide sessions online with Attend Anywhere.

The service is part of the Velindre multidisciplinary team and therapies are used alongside your cancer journey. Safe and suitable treatments are agreed once an assessment has taken place with one of our qualified and experienced therapists.

There are some simple techniques below that you can do to help you feel your best. These can be done when you need them, as often as you like, wherever you are. You are in control of using them, so see what works best for you and don’t be afraid to try something new.

Looking after someone important

The complementary therapy team is also aware of what it feels like to look after a loved one or friend who is going through cancer care. The soothing methods are good for your health and wellbeing as well, so give them a try and let them calm your body and mind.

You may like to practice the easy techniques on each other, so you can both enjoy the benefits of giving and receiving a treatment.

Self-care techniques

Simple relaxation tips

Additional support

If you have given these techniques a try and feel you need more help then the complementary therapy team can provide you with further support using Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Massage, Reiki or Sound Therapy. These supportive treatments are adapted by our clinically trained therapists to consider your specific needs. The complementary therapies work alongside your existing cancer treatments to soothe your physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and enhance your quality of life.

As a Velindre Cancer Care patient you can ask your Velindre health care professional for a referral. We can arrange for in person or online therapy sessions to suit you. We can also see you if you are an inpatient on the ward or during radiotherapy and Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy (SACT).

Connect with us

You can email the Complementary Therapy team on VCCComplementary.Therapy@wales.nhs.uk or phone us on 029 2061 5888 ext 6439.

The Complementary Therapy service is directly funded by Velindre Fundraising.

Useful links

For more information about complementary therapies during cancer care please take a look at the following:

Macmillan Cancer Support: About complementary therapies
NHS: Complementary and alternative medicine pages

If you want to find a local qualified complementary therapist who can provide you with safe treatments, please go through these professional bodies to find a practitioner who is registered: