Pat Refuse

RCRT, RNP, RLD

Registered Canadian Reflexologist, Registered Natural Therapist Practitioner, Certified(Reflexology) Lymphedema Drainage Therapist and Reiki Master.

I was born and raised in Greenwich, Nova Scotia, a neighbouring village to Wolfville, the home of Acadia University. This is a beautiful place, and I have enjoyed being an Annapolis Valley girl for most of my life.I am a qualified practitioner of Reflexology and Reiki, specializing in providing comfort, pain relief, and stress relief to those living with cancer.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a natural therapy that is safe and non-invasive. It is based on the principle that there are reflex points on the feet that correspond to the various organs, glands and bodily systems by way of the neural pathways in your body. Applying gentle pressure on these reflex points can release energy blockages that are causing pain and other imbalances that can interfere with your body’s natural healing ability. Hand reflexology can also be used if the feet are not accessible.

Reiki

Reiki is a form of energy medicine that allows your body to break the “Fight or Flight” response, such as insomnia and anxiety, caused by the stress of illness. Reiki brings your body back to a relaxed state in which the immune system can take over the healing. This therapy is also a safe, non-invasive method, and no clothing is removed. I am one of the volunteers at the Sunshine Room at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre in Halifax as a Reiki practitioner.

My personal path

I started my professional career as an administrative assistant in 1980, but in 2010 I decided to reshapemy life’s journey and follow my authentic path. I have always been attracted to the whole-health approach and felt a calling to learn integrative/holistic therapies. In 2010, I started to study Reiki and now have achieved the master’s level. In 2011, I started to study Reflexology with the Canadian Holistic Therapist Training School in Toronto. While continuing to work as an administrative assistant, I worked from a home office as a therapist during afternoons and evenings. I have always been a sensitive person and was drawn to helping others. Since then, many of my clients refer to me as having a big heart.

In 2016, I attended a Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) program in Toronto. This is an award-winning protocol developed by Sally Kay to help manage secondary lymphedema following treatment from breast cancer. I am proud to be a certified practitioner in RLD and have had great results from this technique. Please note that no clothing is removed –only the footwear.

In 2017, I took a leap of faith to become a full-time holistic therapist.

In May 2019, I attended Dr. Carol Samuel’s course in Vancouver on Pain Management for Cancer Survivors. Dr. Samuel is the only person in the world who has a PhD in the scientific evaluation of Reflexology for managing pain. Reflexology has been shown to ease the adverse effects of cancer surgery and treatments, such as Chemo Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) and radiation-toxicity induced pain.

In September 2019, I completed a workshop with Sue Ricks, again in Toronto: Advanced Cancer and Palliative Care –Gentle Touch Reflexology. This is a gentler method for those with touch-sensitive skin and is a preferred method of Reflexology to treat children.I have also volunteered at the Valley Regional Hospital (Kentville, Nova Scotia) in the Chemo Room, where I assisted those receiving treatmentsby bringing them blankets, snacks, or whatever they needed, plus keeping the supplies stocked for the staff. It was a joy to work in this setting.

When I saw the news articleabout Hope Gillis’s new business, I was inspired to contact her. I was drawn to our mutual passion to help people with a cancer diagnosis by using the Mind, Body and Spirit approach. Cancer has touched my family in various forms. My eldest sister passed after a 13-year battle with cancer.

Having seen my sister fight a brave battle, I wanted to use my Reflexology and Reiki training to help those living with cancer. I feel blessed to have had positive results from my therapy treatments.