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Building work is currently in progress at Oakhaven that may impact parking. We recommend you plan additional time before your appointment. Please contact 01590 670346 if you have any queries.

Complementary therapy

Oakhaven Complementary Therapists, Sally and Lucy

Complementary Therapy at Oakhaven to improve your wellbeing

Our qualified Complementary Therapists have a wealth of experience in providing a range of tailored treatments to individuals bereaved, living with, or looking after someone living with a life-limiting illness.

What is complementary therapy?

Complementary therapies are gentle non-invasive treatments which complement traditional medical treatments, helping to improve emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Treatments offered at Oakhaven may include Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Massage, Reiki and Indian Head Massage.

Complementary therapy treatments can assist with...

easing emotional and physical symptoms

reducing stress and tension

easing aches and pains

lifting mood and reducing anxiety

improving sleep

coping with some side effects of treatments

Oakhaven complementary therapy services

If you are affected by a life-limiting illness, are a carer or are living with a loss or bereavement, we are here to support you.

Initial Assessment and Treatment Plan

During the initial appointment, one of our experienced therapists will carry out a thorough assessment to discuss medical conditions, expectations and treatment suitability. Following this assessment, a specific treatment plan will be tailored to meet each individual’s needs over an agreed number of sessions. Our therapists can advise and suggest specific products to support symptom management.

Treatments are generally given in our complementary therapy room, where we have a dedicated space to help you relax. We also offer treatments in our Inpatient Unit and in patients' homes.

Cost of Treatment

For Oakhaven patients and their families, we may provide a course of treatments, free of charge.

How to book

For more information about our Complementary Therapy services and to book your initial assessment, please get in touch by email at comptherapy@oakhavenhospice.co.uk or by telephoning 01590 638497

Complementary therapy available at Oakhaven

Oakhaven Complementary Therapist giving aromatherapy advice

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of fragrant essential oils extracted from plants, trees, flowers, shrubs and fruits, all of which have therapeutic properties, some uplifting, energising or stimulating, while others are relaxing, calming and comforting. Our therapist will blend therapeutic essential oils specifically for each client and suggest methods of use such as topical application, massage, or inhalation to stimulate the desired responses.

Oakhaven complementary therapist performing reflexology

Reflexology

Reflexology is a holistic treatment based on the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet which correspond to all parts of the body. The purpose is to release congestion and promote the flow of energy and wellbeing. Reflexology is carried out using gentle pressure and massage with the thumb and fingers, to specific points on the feet. Reflexology can help to release tension and reduce stress as well as helping to relieve many other symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and insomnia. Reflexology will not be used to diagnose health concerns.

Oakhaven complementary therapist carrying out reiki treatment

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced ‘ray-kay') is a Japanese term for stress reduction and relaxation. We understand Reiki to be a touch and energy therapy which may help one to relax naturally at a deeper level and may bring comfort and support at difficult times. This can help to cope with stress and pain, physical, mental, or emotional. During treatment, you remain fully clothed in a comfortable position. The therapist gently places their hands non-intrusively on your body or just above your body. Reiki promotes a calm and peaceful sense of wellbeing.

Oakhaven complementary therapist giving a massage

Massage

Massage is the gentle manipulation of the body's soft tissue using specific techniques to promote relaxation in mind and body, relieve tension in the
muscles or tissue, improve circulation and bring a positive impact to general wellbeing.

Therapist giving an indian head massage

Indian Head Massage

A traditional Indian technique treating the neck, shoulders, face, and scalp. This treatment promotes deep relaxation which in turn it can help to ease tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, easing away anxieties and providing feelings of deep calmness.

Frangipane flowers on a towel with candle glowing in background

Relaxation

Try these three relaxation exercises:

Click here for Relaxation Exercise 1

Click here for Relaxation Exercise 2

Click here for Relaxation Exercise 3

 

Meet the team

Sally Woods Complementary Therapist at Oakhaven Hospice

Sally Woods

Sally is a qualified Complementary Therapist with over 20 years of experience, including extensive experience of working with individuals with a life-limiting illness. She is compassionate in providing tailor-made treatments to individuals to enhance their wellbeing and quality of life. Treatments she offers are Aromatherapy, Massage and Reiki. Sally also runs a number of workshops for Oakhaven Wellbeing at the Coates Centre.

Lucy Houching

Lucy Houching

Lucy has worked at Oakhaven Hospice since 2017. She has been a qualified Complementary Therapist since 2003 and has gained experience within the health sector. Lucy has had a long-life passion for helping others and as a complementary therapist at Oakhaven has been able to combine her passion with her desire to make a difference. Treatments Lucy offers are Aromatherapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Massage and Head Massage.

Volunteers

In addition to our qualified therapists, we also have a team of Relaxation Volunteers who have been trained to offer Hand and Foot Massages to patients and carers attending our Day Hospice, Carer's Days, and Inpatient Unit.

Relaxation Volunteers: Diane Barr, Julie Adams, Susan Linsell, Ann Walker
Qualified Volunteer Complementary Therapists: Lorraine Malton

If you are a qualified Complementary Therapist and could volunteer a little of your time, please contact volunteer@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.

2 people sat in armchairs facing each other

Wellbeing support for Oakhaven patients and their families

Oakhaven volunteer talking

Wellbeing support available to all our community

holding hands

Support available for carers

Click on the links above to find out more about our wellbeing services

Oakhaven Wellbeing News

Participants starting the Oakhaven Walk 2025 at Sandbanks

The Oakhaven Walk 2025 raises a phenomenal £168,700

The Oakhaven Walk 2025 raises £168,700 (and still counting!) for end-of-life care and support We are delighted to announce that The Oakhaven Walk 2025 has raised a whopping £168,700 (with sponsor money still coming in) to fund the delivery of palliative and end-of-life care and support provided to families throughout the New Forest, Totton and […]

Read More
Two people having a conversation

The importance of conversation about dying matters

The importance of conversations about dying matters As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2025, Oakhaven’s Pastoral and Spiritual Care Lead, Lois Collings, considers conversations about and consideration of dying matters… In 2017, the BBC aired a documentary film called A Time to Live. The film followed the lives of twelve people who had received […]

Read More
Dying Matters, three young people together

Dying Matters Awareness Week 2025 – the culture of dying matters

Dying Matters Awareness Week – The Culture of Dying Matters Dying Matters Week is an annual campaign, led by Hospice UK, that encourages all communities across the UK to open up the important conversations about death, dying, and bereavement. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘The Culture of Dying Matters’. It is an opportunity […]

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stack of stones on a pebble beach

Stress Less for Wellbeing – a six week course at the Coates Centre

Stress less for wellbeing: a new six-week course for all Stress can affect us all in a variety of different ways. Our brand new six-week workshop explores the impact of stress on our overall daily well-being. Open to everyone in our New Forest, Totton and Waterside community, it provides an opportunity for you to consider […]

Read More
Stretching by the beach at sunset

Outdoor Activities for Health and Wellbeing

By Karen Silverthorne Whatever you have going on in your life right now,  it’s important to pay attention to your health and wellbeing.  Looking after your physical needs can have a knock-on effect on your mental state and this can put you in a better position to help yourself and those around you. Exercise can […]

Read More
A stack of grey pebbles on a beach

Anticipatory Grief – What Is It and How Do We Recognise It?

 By Mette Nielsen, Counsellor. Every one of us will be experiencing the loss of a loved one during our lives. Some of us will be carers for a short or a long time due to illness or a life limiting condition. We may experience feelings and emotions which we find distressing and difficult to manage […]

Read More
A document being signed

Planning for the Future: things to consider

By Karen Silverthorne It seems there are so many extra difficulties to face at the moment and the idea of making end-of-life plans may be something you find difficult.  But by giving consideration to this now, it can lessen anxiety if you become unwell and can help those you are close to if you’re not […]

Read More
Battery levels painting

Self Care in Bereavement

By Paula Noyce, Counsellor As a palliative, oncology and bereavement counsellor, some of the most common descriptions I hear used by those who have lived alongside loved ones through illness and death are, ‘completely drained’, ‘exhausted’, and the feeling of ‘running on empty’. It is the inevitable impact of being alongside a significant person, whether […]

Read More
Anxiety spelled in scrabble tiles

Facing Fear: How to Cope with Health Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Steph McClean, Psychotherapist Throughout life, most of us keep an eye on our health and wellbeing. However, there are times when we are more anxious about our health than others. It might be that we need to go back to our GP for a persistent issue, or we need tests or scans to see […]

Read More
Couple sitting on a bench

Having those Important Conversations about Dying and Death

By Paul Hatchard, Chaplain It’s the conversation no one wants to have isn’t it? In fact, in a survey conducted by the charity Dying Matters they found that 72% of the British public are uncomfortable discussing dying, death and bereavement. It’s true that it’s an uncomfortable subject – we’d rather not think about it. Yet […]

Read More

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Get in touch

t: 01590 613025 (9am-5pm admin office)
01590 670346 (24hr patient enquiries)
e: info@oakhavenhospice.co.uk (admin office,
not for patient enquiries)

Oakhaven Hospice
Lower Pennington Lane
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 8ZZ

         member of hospice uk

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