| Massage and Cancer Treatment | | | | itself is never a good idea, there are many other |
| Cancer treatment usually includes complex medical | | | | cancer-free areas of the body that will benefit |
| intervention, but there is also a place for massage | | | | from oncology massage. |
| therapy in the treatment plan. Whether it is used | | | | In general, massage should be light and focus |
| to address pain or nausea, to give relaxation and | | | | more on the holistic health of the client. Tumors |
| comfort, or even to boost the immune system, | | | | should not be massaged, as they may be tender |
| incorporating massage therapy into cancer | | | | or may press on internal organs and structures, |
| treatment can give the person suffering from | | | | and this could damage the client's health. |
| cancer additional help in the fight against this | | | | Some cancer treatments can weaken the body, |
| disease. | | | | however, so massage therapy for cancer |
| How Massage is Used in Cancer Treatment | | | | patients should be done carefully. Bones may be |
| Massage for cancer patients, or oncology | | | | brittle, and areas where tissue has been removed |
| massage, is rapidly gaining a following. As massage | | | | may be a source of pain or tenderness for quite |
| builds growing scientific evidence for its provision | | | | some time. Other cancer treatments may cause |
| of measurable health benefits, many people with | | | | nerve damage, and these areas should always be |
| cancer are seeking massage therapy in addition to | | | | massaged with a light hand. |
| standard cancer treatment. Before working on | | | | There are some important considerations that a |
| any client, however, it is important to be sure | | | | therapist should keep in mind, as well. A person |
| that massage therapy for the cancer patient has | | | | with cancer may be in any stage of sickness, and |
| been approved by his or her physician. | | | | it is important to understand how the client is |
| Massage therapy for cancer patients isn't a "one | | | | feeling, as well as where he or she may be weak |
| treatment fits all" affair. Many people with cancer | | | | or sore, before initiating the massage. The client |
| look fit and healthy, while others may be weak or | | | | may have an IV line, radiation burns, or other |
| in pain. Some patients are approaching the end of | | | | weak points on his or her body that may require |
| their lives, while others are expecting to make a | | | | creative maneuvering in order to provide safe |
| full recovery. Because of this, it is important to | | | | oncology massage therapy. |
| work out a plan for the massage therapy for the | | | | Massage and Mainstream Cancer Treatment |
| cancer patient that is even more individualized | | | | While no doctor will prescribe oncology massage |
| than a therapist might develop for healthier | | | | instead of medical treatment, more and more |
| patients. It is also important to ask the client at | | | | physicians are beginning to understand the |
| each session if anything has changed, and to stay | | | | tremendous benefit that massage therapy for |
| attuned to his or her need for less touch, more | | | | cancer patients can provide. Massage is |
| touch, or a change in therapeutic treatment. | | | | recognized for its ability to elevate the mood, to |
| Massage Benefits for Cancer Patients | | | | ease tension, fatigue, and pain, and also to help |
| Oftentimes, cancer and cancer treatments can | | | | reduce the side effects of nausea in many cancer |
| cause pain and nausea. Massage for cancer | | | | patients. Even health professionals who do not |
| patients has been shown to help reduce pain as | | | | believe massage has physical benefits will often |
| well as to help reduce nausea levels. The therapy | | | | accept their patients' wishes to receive massage |
| also boosts serotonin levels, which can help with | | | | therapy, knowing that it gives the patient a |
| the higher rates of depression common in cancer | | | | comforting, pleasurable experience to look |
| patients. | | | | forward to in what can be a grim regimen of |
| In addition to the illness itself, cancer often robs | | | | treatment. |
| people of their sense of control and can | | | | In recent years, modern studies have shown that |
| contribute to a negative body image. Regular | | | | massage for cancer patients can impact recovery |
| oncology massage for people with cancer has | | | | results. In order to keep the massage safe, |
| been shown to give them a treatment to look | | | | however, many doctors recommend that their |
| forward to, as well as an experience that can help | | | | patients see therapists who have been trained in |
| improve body image and outlook. While cancer | | | | oncology massage. Since massage therapy for |
| cannot be treated through massage therapy | | | | cancer patients can cause damage if done |
| alone, regular massage can help to reduce the | | | | incorrectly, proper training is key. |
| side effects of treating the disease in many | | | | Massage therapy has a wide variety of benefits, |
| clients. | | | | and one of the most rewarding of these is |
| Concerns About Massage and Cancer Patients | | | | massage therapy for cancer patients. By helping |
| There is a longstanding myth that massage for | | | | to relieve pain and discomfort, as well as to |
| cancer patients can actually spread the cancer to | | | | provide comfort and mental wellness, massage |
| other places in the body. Fortunately, this has | | | | can be an important element of treatment for |
| been proven incorrect. While massaging a tumor | | | | people with cancer. |