Physiotherapy treatment at the Hospice uses a range of treatments and exercises to improve or maintain physical functioning, improve quality of life and support patients’ wishes to remain living their lives to full potential, maximising independence.

Physical activities and exercises are offered to help patients minimise the effects of illness and treatments, maximise movement and independence and regain as much control as possible over their lives.

Common problems that may be helped by physiotherapy are reduced mobility, fatigue and lethargy, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, neurological impairment and pain.

Physiotherapy treatments may include:

• Mobility training to help patients look at ways to improve mobility, avoid falls and feel more confident when moving around.  This may include exercises, posture training and provision of appropriate equipment.
• Massage to manipulate the body’s soft tissues and promote health and well-being. 
• Electrotherapy is a non-invasive way to combat pain.  Electrical impulses are sent to nerve fibres to reduce pain and trigger the release of endorphins; natural painkillers produced by the body.
• Acupuncture or acupressure which involves stimulation of points on the body with fine needles, heat or finger pressure. 
• Craniosacral therapy, a gentle non-invasive mobilisation technique which is safe to use with frail patients. It can also be seen as a treatment in its own right and may assist the body’s natural capacity for self-repair.
• Lifestyle advice, used to enhance the benefits of physiotherapy sessions and help patients design ways of managing symptoms more effectively.