Read : Oncology Brochure
Oncology Massage is a specialized form of massage therapy that is a soft touch specifically for cancer patients. Oncology massage is an approach to massage therapy based on compassion and specialized massage treatments to help people manage their experience with cancer.
The massage treatment plan revolves around the side effects (both short- and long-term) of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, as well as the preferences and needs of the person. Its individualized treatment depends on the session length, pressure, and positioning and considers areas of specific concern like mediators, bone metastases, swelling, or skin reactions to treatment.
Long Term Cancer Care
We recommend patient to incorporate Oncology massage in part cancer journey, from diagnosis through years after treatment ends..
Specialized Oncology Massage training provides the therapist with the knowledge to address the specific needs of cancer patients safely. Important considerations when planning and performing oncology massage are:
- Application of appropriate levels of pressure,
- Possible site restrictions due to tumor location
- Length of the massage session.
Before any appointments are scheduled, our procedure is to get the appropriate medical records/doctor’s instructions and become familiar with patients’ past and current conditions, medications, and treatments.
Factors/warnings/contraindications we take note:
- There is a high risk of easy bruising, mainly if they are on blood thinners or have bleeding tendencies
- Risk of skin irritation or noticeable skin changes due to chemotherapy drugs and radiation
- Immune-suppressed due to chemotherapy or other treatments
- Reduced bone density and metastases to bony sites,
- Low pain tolerance or threshold due to pain-medication
- Neuropathy in the hands and feet
- Lymphoedema, especially after surgical removal of lymph nodes and or radiotherapy
- Low white/red blood cell count
Massage Therapy Benefits for Cancer Patients (source AMTA):
- Reducing pain
- Alleviating stress
- Relieving nausea
- Reducing depression and anxiety
- Improving sleep and lessening fatigue
- Preventing chemotherapy
- Induced peripheral neuropathy
- Relieving lymphedema
Massage Therapy Benefits for Cancer Patients
Relieving Pain
Pain is the most common and debilitating symptom among cancer patients. While the exact prevalence of pain varies depending on the type and stage of cancer, research shows that pain generally affects over 50% of those undergoing cancer therapy, and up to 90% with advanced cancer experience pain.
Massage therapy shows promise for reducing pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and anxiety in cancer populations.
Reducing Nausea
Chemotherapy is typically an aggressive treatment with various side effects, with nausea and vomiting among the most common. While anti-nausea medication is often used for severe cases, new research indicates massage can help patients find some relief from these symptoms.
A 2018 quasi-randomized controlled pilot study looked at the feasibility and preliminary effects of massage and inhalation aromatherapies on chemotherapy-induced acute nausea and vomiting. The 75 breast cancer patients were divided into massage, inhalation, and control groups. The massage group received 20-minute aromatherapy foot massages before their second, third, and fourth chemotherapy cycles, while the inhalation group received three-minute inhalation aromatherapy on the same schedule. The control group received routine treatment.
Results showed that incidences of nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in the control group than in the two active groups in the third and fourth chemotherapy cycles. “Furthermore, in these two cycles, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the massage group than the inhalation group,” researchers note.
Helping Lift Depression
Depression is common when dealing with cancer or even after surviving the disease. At a time when a patient is dealing with a lot of unknowns or worrying about possible outcomes, mood changes can be expected, but that doesn’t make depression any less troublesome.
There is some research. However, that massage therapy may help with depression and mood disorders in cancer patients. For example, meta-analysis indicated a significant association between massage therapy and alleviated symptoms of depression.
Easing Fatigue
Oncology patients already have the mental strain of fighting a life-threatening disease, so helping them find ways to alleviate this fatigue can improve their ability to continue participating in the things they value. According to some new research, massage therapy can be vital in mitigating fatigue in oncology patients.
A 2018 study by the Emory University School of Medicine compared the effects of six weeks of once-weekly Swedish massage therapy on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors against an active control condition (light touch) and wait-list control. This randomized, single-masked, three-arm study comprised 66 breast cancer survivors who had received surgery plus radiation and chemotherapy/chemoprevention and had cancer-related fatigue. Fatigue levels were compared by measuring the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and National Institutes of Health PROMIS Fatigue scale at baseline and after the six-week intervention.
Alleviating Lymphedema
Lymphedema is one of the most common conditions developed because of cancer treatment, causing swelling in the arms and legs that can be painful. Lymphatic drainage has shown some promise for cancer patients dealing with this condition. When a massage therapist is trained in manual lymphatic drainage, they can play a huge role in helping to identify and treat lymphedema of the arm.
If the nodes have been removed, individuals must occasionally have the upper extremity drained to keep the lymphatic vessels open and working. If massage has not been performed, an injury or insult to the extremity can cause the area to swell and become increasingly painful.
The effects of lymphedema are long-lasting and don’t fade quickly. For that reason, there is a need for awareness and constant communication with clients who have lymphedema when administering any massage. Light pressure is essential for any area of the body where nodes have been removed.
Helping Prevent Neuropathy
Recent research on massage therapy for cancer patients continues to indicate its value for preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. A recently-published study showed significant prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer patients for those receiving massage therapy. The success continued through a 12-week assessment.