The Retreat Complementary Therapy Services

By Karen Robathan & Rachel White

The Retreat is a converted office which was completely refurbished to encourage a relaxing ambient environmentwhere, this is where we provide our complementary therapies. It is fully equipped with a massage couch, a reflexology chair, as well as furniture that has been adapted to meet needs of people using wheelchairs. Here, knowing the benefits of short periods of relaxation to feelings of general health and wellbeing we continue to offer short treatments, but those who wish to have a full treatment may do so comfortably.

In addition to The Retreat, at the request of the members we have recently refurbished another room in order to create a quiet room. This is a tranquil space with comfy chairs, mood lighting, soft music and the sound of running water. The quiet room provides rest from the busy environment of the dayroom, which is a useful and therapeutic facility for people living with the effects of acquired brain injury. Here members can simply sit and relax if they are feeling unwell, or do so for no reason at all. In this space we are also pleased to facilitate the opportunity for all members to enjoy guided meditations.

The philosophy of our approach embraces our commitment to provide a professional service that is affordable and accessible to members of the Headway community. Our therapies are based on evidence based practice and advocate an integrative approach to health and wellbeing. Where appropriate and with the consent of the client, we liaise with staff members and other healthcare professionals. We both partake in continuous professional development in order to ensure our therapies comply with best current practice. Above all we seek to welcome all our clients with warmth and integrity as they experience for themselves the benefits of complementary therapies.

In terms of our therapies, we currently offer massage therapy and reflexology, both of which can be adapted to meet the needs of the client. Members report many benefits of these therapies, including pain relief, greater joint mobility, improved sleep patterns and increased feelings of relaxation and wellbeing. It is truly wonderful that these therapies can help people in this way, although there is no requirement for the client to demonstrate an outcome at all, they can simply ‘be’ free from any expectation.