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Innovative healthcare & specialist clinics


The picture of health


Angela Youngman looks at how a holistic and personal approach to healthcare can improve overall wellbeing


any type of complementary therapy prevents or cures cancer. Julia Frater, Cancer Research UK’s


senior specialist cancer information nurse, adds: “T ere’s growing evidence that certain complementary therapies can help to control some


OSTEOPATHY MASSAGE/GETTY D


on’t automatically expect a bottle of pills following every visit to your doctor. An increasing focus on


holistic health means patients may be recommended to seek help from other sources. Complementary and alternative


medicines (CAMS), as the NHS categorises them, are treatments that fall outside of mainstream healthcare. T ese medicines and


treatments range from acupuncture and homeopathy to aromatherapy, meditation and colonic irrigation — and they’re all becoming increasingly sought after. Diff erent research studies carried


out over the last 20 years have shown that sessions with an osteopath or chiropractor can help reduce back pain or back-related leg pain, while others have shown the Alexander technique can help patients with


Parkinson’s disease. T e NHS supports the latter while giving a slightly open opinion on the former, although both are available on the NHS (just not widely and referral is likely to depend on your GP’s personal opinion on the research). Cancer Research UK states around


half of people with cancer use some sort of complementary therapy at some time during their illness, despite no evidence to suggest that


Researchers are interested in the idea that positive emotions can improve your health


symptoms of cancer as well as some of the side eff ects that arise from certain cancer treatment. For example, acupuncture can help to relieve sickness caused by some chemotherapy drugs. Or, it can help relieve a sore mouth after having treatment for head and neck cancer. “Many doctors, cancer nurses and


researchers are interested in the idea that positive emotions can improve your health.”


6 OCTOBER 2019 • SOUTH WEST LIVING At T e Cove


PHYSIOTHERAPIST ASSISTING A PATIENT/GETTY


Macmillan Support Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, nurses provide cancer patients with nutritional advice, health and wellbeing courses, look and feel better sessions. T ey support the idea that positive attitudes through counselling and psychological support helps both patients as well as their families.


T roughout the


West Country there are numerous centres of excellence off ering a range of holistic health therapies, although not all will be available on the NHS. Discussing options with your GP or nurse will help identify what options might be suitable for you, thus creating a bespoke holistic health programme for your needs. Among the many centres available


in the West Country are the Culm Valley Natural Health Practice, which was set up by the Prince of Wales in 2007, and the Exeter Natural Health Centre, which actively promotes integrated health care combining medical professionals and complementary medicine therapists. Lisa Tate, from the Exeter Natural


Health Centre, says “T e Exeter Natural Health Centre has a wide variety of experienced practitioners who work closely with clients, focusing on the whole person rather than just a specifi c issue. T ey provide consultations and treatments alongside any current NHS treatment and also work with people long-term to help them manage and improve their overall health.”


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