The Healing Harbour and the Chi Medics connection

Taken from a full article written By Erica Redmond AoR,

….When I first qualified as a reflexologist over 25 years ago, the Association of Reflexologists had regular seminars in London. At one of these, I met an Australian author, Moss Arnold, BA Dip Ed, Dip FR, Dip OM, Dip TCM, Natural Therapist, Reflexologist and international presenter. He was there to talk about his experience connecting Classic Chinese Medicine with Western reflexology.  He is the author of two reflexology works Chi-Reflexology, Guidelines of the Middle Way and Reflexology, Basics of the Middle Way—I have both well-thumbed copies in my collection!

Photo Copyright St Nicholas Hospice Care 2013

In 2014, I attended a Chi -Reflexology course in the UK and I incorporated some of his techniques into my routine. I particularly liked “the closing sequence”, as I had noticed my patients loved this too.

Fast forward to last year when I realised Moss had moved to the UK with his wife Sharon Windle, also a fabulously knowledgeable teacher and originator of Chi Medics, their unique approach. I contacted them, explaining my wish to ‘do no harm’ to the vulnerable patients in the renal unit and could they help me.

….They were very kind and gave me free time over Zoom in which they suggested safe and effective inclusions for Renal patients. This gave me the confidence to work with this particular set of people.

I decided to re-visit the Chi Medics Level 1 course to reinforce my knowledge.  I was hooked and am now halfway through Level 2!

….In late 2022, I met a wonderful lady called Alison Brennon.  She and her fellow trustees had just started a charity called The Healing Harbour.  She is an ex-palliative care nurse who from her working experience in Norfolk witnessed the lack of statutory services that were available for people diagnosed with health conditions that would shorten their lives.

….There was interest in the local town’s hospital from the Renal Team, they wanted to see if reflexology would help their patients, most of whom have kidney dialysis twice or three times a week, and are lying on their beds in the unit for over three hours, three times a week! This treatment has an enormous impact on their quality of life and freedom despite giving the essential treatment for life itself. 

I have been working with renal patients for about six months now and I have some very encouraging results.

The Senior Sister/Unit Manager Naomi Parfitt explains:

“Since having Erica join our team through The Healing Harbour charity, we have seen such a positive influence on our patients’ health and well-being. There has been a range of benefits and improvements that patients and staff have noticed regarding the common side effects of the dialysis treatment,” says Naomi Parfitt, Senior Sister and Unit Manager of Cromer Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit.

“When an individual is restricted as much as a renal patient is during their treatment, and outside of treatment, the impact this has on one's mental health is extensive.  Typically, dialysis units, and other areas of healthcare, concentrate heavily on the physical health of a patient and forget the mental, social and emotional side of care.  By Erica providing such wonderful treatments to our patients, this is meeting those additional and important needs,” she adds

Most who have experienced the Chi Medics sequence have indicated that they felt relaxed after the treatments and their sleep had improved.  We also had some very positive feedback concerning clinical aspects such as feeling cold. One patient told me that after a treatment, “The warm feeling continued for the rest of the day” and noted improvements in sleep patterns.  A comment today from a patient was “Like heaven to have my feet done”

The staff at the renal unit have been very welcoming and positive, saying, “Lots of happy patients today”. 

It is such a wonderful area to offer my experience and skills, we do need more therapists to lend a hand!

The Healing Harbour Tel 07585 586469 or email thehealingharbour22@gmail.com to volunteer with this friendly supportive team.

A Footnote from Sharon and Moss

Erica was so thrilled to be armed with a Chi-Reflexology /Chi Medics session plan and soon gave us feedback that the receivers loved the Chi Medics approach and were responding positively.

 We received an email from the Senior Sister of the Dialysis unit, (permission to share):

Dear Moss and Sharon,

I wanted to personally email you to thank you for the support and advice given to our volunteer therapist Erica. 

 Since we began discussions with Healing Harbour Charity on how we could come together to improve patients’ wellbeing and outcomes the ideas have been flying. Reflexology being our starting point (but who knows what may come next), I did a small data collection questionnaire with my patients to explore who knew what reflexology was, and the vast majority either had no idea or had heard of it but had not given it any thought.

When Erica then came to volunteer and offer our first group of patient’s taster sessions, well let me tell you the chitter chatter that went around the unit was wonderful. Patients were describing the relaxing feelings they felt that continued post dialysis treatment and gave them a boost for the week. Not only was it lovely and relaxing, a few have mentioned that their movement and mobility has improved over these last 6 weeks of seeing Erica once a week.

Patients have been so thankful and enthusiastic about the voluntary service that has given them a little something to look forward to once a week during their lengthy treatments. So benefits all round not just physically but mentally too!

If you would like some words to quote and potentially use and I'm more than happy to provide anything needed in a way of saying thank you to yourselves and of course Erica too for helping us to improve our patients care.

Best wishes,

Naomi Parfitt

Senior Sister/Unit Manager

Cromer Hospital Renal Dialysis Unit

Our Values:  People-focused  Respect  Integrity  Dedication  Excellence

If you would like to lend a hand, please connect with this fantastic charity:

The Healing Harbour Tel 07585 586469 or email thehealingharbour22@gmail.com to volunteer with this friendly supportive team.

Best wishes Sharon and Moss

Moss M Arnold and Sharon L Windle

photograph by Solar Content Creations