Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please feel free to get in touch – I'm always happy to answer any questions before you book.
Treatment and your recovery
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Yes, in many cases. Oncology treatments are specifically adapted for people living with or recovering from cancer, taking into account your diagnosis, treatment, medications, lymphatic system and how you are feeling on the day. I will never work directly over a known tumour or any area where treatment would be inappropriate, and if there is any uncertainty I may ask you to check with your medical team before we begin.
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Not everyone needs formal medical clearance. During your consultation I'll take a full medical and treatment history and, if anything suggests that treatment may not currently be appropriate, I may ask you to speak to your oncologist, surgeon, breast care nurse or GP before we proceed. If you're currently undergoing cancer treatment, it's always a good idea to let your medical team know about any complementary therapies you're considering.
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This depends on the type of surgery you've had and how well you're healing. Scar treatment only begins once the wound is fully closed and sufficiently healed, with no infection or other complications. This is often around 6–8 weeks after surgery, but everyone heals differently, so the condition of your wound and your individual recovery will determine when it is appropriate to begin.
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Yes, but treatment needs to be adapted at each stage. Before radiotherapy, gentle treatment may help maintain comfort and movement. During radiotherapy I will not massage the area being treated, as the skin and tissues can become particularly sensitive. After radiotherapy, we will wait until your skin has recovered sufficiently before introducing hands-on treatment to the area, taking into account your individual healing and any guidance from your medical team.
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Often, yes, although treatment may need to be adapted around your chemotherapy cycle and how you are feeling. I will take into account fatigue, nausea, skin sensitivity, bruising or low blood counts, as well as ports, PICC lines, pain-relief patches and infection risk. There may be times when it's better to postpone a session, and if necessary I'll ask you to check with your medical team first.
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Current clinical research supports the use of photobiomodulation (red and near-infrared light therapy) within established treatment parameters for people affected by cancer, and studies to date have not shown an increased risk of tumour growth or recurrence. I use it specifically to support recovery from the effects of cancer treatment, taking your individual medical history into account.
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Please tell me if you have lymphoedema, have had lymph nodes removed or damaged, or have been told you're at increased risk. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specialist, very gentle technique and treatment needs to take account of how your lymphatic system has been affected. If you have diagnosed or unexplained swelling, I may ask you to speak to your medical or lymphoedema team before we begin.
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Yes, once you have healed sufficiently. Treatment is always adapted to the type of surgery and reconstruction you've had, and scar work can be introduced gently once the wounds have fully healed. If you've had recent surgery or there are any ongoing complications, I may ask you to check with your surgeon or breast care team first.
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Yes. Scars and surrounding tissues continue to change over time, and older scars can remain tight, uncomfortable or restricted many years after treatment. It is not necessarily too late to work with them: treatment can focus on improving the softness and mobility of the tissues and helping you feel more comfortable, whatever stage of recovery you're at.
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Treatment should never be something you simply have to endure. I work gently and adapt the pressure and techniques to your individual sensitivity, checking in with you throughout. If an area is particularly tender, numb or hypersensitive, we'll work with what feels comfortable for you and adjust the treatment accordingly.
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That's completely understandable, particularly after surgery or cancer treatment. Nothing will be done without your consent, and we'll talk through the treatment before we begin. You can choose which areas you're comfortable having treated, ask me to stop or change what I'm doing at any point, and we can work gradually at a pace that feels right for you.
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Recovery isn't always predictable. If you become unwell, need further medical treatment or something changes that may affect your sessions, please let me know as soon as you can. We can discuss what has changed and whether your treatment should be adapted, postponed or paused until you're ready to continue.
Your appointment
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There's no special preparation needed. Come as you are. At your first appointment we'll talk through any relevant surgery, cancer treatment and medications, and at subsequent appointments I'll ask you about any changes to your health or treatment.
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Free street parking is available in the surrounding residential streets. If possible, I recommend avoiding arrival or departure between 2.45pm and 3.30pm, when the nearby school finishes and the area can become busy.
There is level access from the street to the studio, although the pathway narrows as it turns around the studio and may be difficult to navigate with some wheelchairs. The toilet is accessed via a set of stairs and unfortunately isn't wheelchair accessible.
If you have any mobility or access requirements, particularly if you use a wheelchair, please get in touch before your appointment so we can talk through the access and make sure the space will work for you.
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Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Loose, comfortable clothing can be helpful, particularly if we need to access an area such as your shoulder, underarm, chest or abdomen. There's no need to bring any special clothing with you.
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This will depend on the area we are treating, but you will only ever need to uncover the part of your body necessary for treatment. I’ll explain what is needed beforehand and give you privacy to undress and get comfortable. Blankets are used throughout to keep you covered, warm and comfortable, and you can always tell me if there is anything you would prefer not to uncover or have treated.
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Yes. If you need assistance to get here or would feel more comfortable bringing a partner, friend or family member with you, particularly to your first appointment, you're very welcome to do so. They can join us for the consultation. If you would also like them to stay during your treatment, please let me know – the studio is quite small and I need space to move around the treatment table, so this may not always be possible.
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Everyone responds differently. You may feel relaxed or tired afterwards, and an area we have worked on may sometimes feel a little different as your tissues respond to treatment. I’ll talk you through anything you might notice and give you any relevant aftercare advice before you leave. If you experience anything afterwards that concerns you, please get in touch.
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If you have a fever, infection or are acutely unwell, treatment may not be appropriate, so please contact me before coming to your appointment. If you're simply feeling more tired or depleted than usual, let me know too – depending on how you're feeling, we may be able to adapt your treatment or decide that it would be better to postpone. Please don't feel that you need to push through an appointment if you're not well enough.
Your Recovery Pathway appointments are reserved especially for you and are designed to be taken at the frequency agreed during your consultation. I understand, however, that plans can sometimes change, particularly during cancer treatment and recovery.
Cancellation and rescheduling
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If you need to rearrange an appointment, please give me at least 48 hours' notice.
With 48 hours' notice or more, your appointment can be rearranged without charge, subject to availability.
Cancellations or changes made with less than 48 hours' notice will normally count as one of your sessions.
Missed appointments without notice will count as a used session. -
If you are unexpectedly unwell, or there is a change to your health or medical treatment that affects your appointment, please contact me as soon as possible. Genuine medical circumstances will always be considered, and I may agree to rearrange or pause your treatment where appropriate.
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Your six Recovery Pathway sessions should normally be completed within 6 months of your first pathway appointment, at the frequency agreed during your consultation.
If your pathway needs to be interrupted because of your health or medical treatment, we can agree an appropriate pause or extension.
Rearranged appointments are subject to availability and I cannot guarantee that your usual appointment time will be available.
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Your Recovery Pathway is booked and paid for as a course of treatment following your Consultation and Introductory Treatment.
If you choose not to complete your pathway for reasons unrelated to your health or medical treatment, remaining unused sessions are non-refundable.
If a change in your health or medical treatment means that you are no longer able to continue safely with your Recovery Pathway, please contact me. Any remaining unused sessions can be refunded.
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If I need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, your session will not be lost. I will contact you as soon as possible and arrange an alternative appointment.
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If you arrive late, I will do my best to give you the fullest treatment possible, but your appointment may still need to finish at the scheduled time.
