Massage therapy can prove extremely helpful in dealing with the effects of cancer treatment such as nausea and fatigue and can help fight the anxiety and stress that come with any cancer diagnosis. Massage therapy and associated remedial exercise can act as strong stimuli to blood and lymph flow, so it is important to take a serious look at whether massage therapy could promote metastatic processes.
Review of the scientific literature indicates oncology massage helps improve quality of life. Benefits include improved relaxation, sleep, and immune function as well as relieving anxiety, pain, fatigue and nausea. Oncology massage therapists are trained to apply a highly individualized massage treatment to comfort, nurture and support them in their process.
The treatments are modified according to the full spectrum of cancer-related issues: the physical, psycho-social and emotional consequences of cancer. In addition, the person’s individual goals are considered and aspects of the disease and cancer treatment side effects. Personal goals for receiving oncology massage can include the desire for a respite, a relaxing experience, relieving nausea or other symptoms such as pain or peripheral neuropathy.
If you have had lymph nodes removed, the massage therapist should only use very light touch on your affected arm and the area around the underarm. If you have arm lymphedema, your arm and underarm area should be treated by a different kind of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage.
It is very important for the massage therapist to have specialized training in oncology massage, in addition to being a licensed massage therapist. Massage performed with this appropriate knowledge and training can be safely done to help cancer patients.
Intuitively, it seems that massage should benefit those of us living with cancer. Physically it can feel good, and it’s hard to beat the emotional calm and serenity as we’re pampered by someone devoted to helping us. But what do the studies say about benefits specifically for cancer patients? Some of them include:
In one study, massage therapy brought about immediate pain relief for those suffering from cancer. While the benefits didn’t last too long, massage was found to be a safe and effective way of controlling pain. While massage therapy may not replace pain medications, it may allow people to use lower doses of pain medications. Another recent study found that massage provided significant pain relief for people living with cancer that had spread to their bones.
If you’re being treated for breast cancer, it’s important to let your massage therapist know about your diagnosis, treatment, and any symptoms you may have. In this study, researchers found that, while both healing touch and massage lowered anxiety and pain, massage also reduced the need for pain medicine.
In a 5-week study at the University of Miami in 2003, massage therapy and progressive muscle relaxation therapy were compared in 58 women with stage I and II breast cancer. Both groups reported feeling less anxious, and the massage group also reported feeling less depressed. The massage group also showed increased levels of a brain chemical called dopamine, which helps produce a feeling of well-being. In addition, there was an increase in protective white blood cells that help boost the immune system from the first to the last day of the study.
There is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer, but it is commonly used to help people feel better, and to reduce some cancer symptoms and side effects. Several clinical studies show that massage can reduce symptoms such as stress, nausea, pain, fatigue and depression. Researchers believe, massage is helpful for both physical and psychological benefits.
