Cancer and Massage

For many, a massage is a way to relax and feel better. New research finds this is especially true for those in all stages of cancer. For years the fear that massage could spread cancer prevented therapists from working with clients with cancer.

This is the most crusial time for every woman to place more loving touch and attention to her body.  Unfortunately, this is the exact time most shy away from being touched.  As a hypnotherapist, I have found that allowing yourself time to let go and have your body pampered is absolutely beneficial to your mind-body connection.

Pain and depressed mood are common problems for patients with advanced cancer. There is only so much that drug therapies can help, but they often have side effects that can make the patient even more miserable.

Is Massage good for your body?

There are a few misconceptions about cancer massage (massage for cancer patients) - also known as Oncology Massage. The main misconception is that massage can cause the cancer to spread. This is simply not true.

Some people believe that massaging a person with cancer could be harmful. A common fear is that massage will cause the cancer to spread by means of the lympathic system.

It is a fact that cancer can spread via the lympth system. However, cancer spreads via changes to the cells' DNA and other processes, NOT via movement or other mechanical means.

Comfort-oriented massage can safely be given to people at any stage of their cancer. We need to get away from the idea that massage is only about working on tight muscles, detoxifying or assisting with recovery from injury. There will always be some form of massage (with the right modifications) that can be given to a cancer patient. Patients receive massage during chemotherapy sessions, or before or after radiation therapy.

Indeed, rather than being harmful, cancer massage offers many benefits for the patient. Massage can help diminish the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, and improve quality of life. Scientific research shows that massage can reduce:

• fatigue
• pain
• anxiety
• depression
• nausea

A nurturing massage can help the person feel whole again, re-establish a positive body image, and rebuild hope. A nurturing massage can be given by family or friends as well as by a professional therapist.

Here is what you can usually expect at a massage session at HealWithin:

When you arrive for your massage appointment, our professional massage therapist will greet you and ask you to fill out an intake form.  We also have a if you fill out a form (see below) for overall health conditions.

Make sure to tell your therapist about your breast cancer treatment. This helps us determine the type of massage that's right for you, as well as any areas to avoid.

We escort you to our serene and private room where music is playing and scented candles are lit to nurture you senses. You are then asked to remove some or all of your clothing and to cover yourself with a sheets.

Since we specialize in treating breast cancer patients, we will need to uncover your chest area in order to work around the breast tissues and surrounding areas.  We then cover you with the cover sheet and continue massaging the rest of your body.

We may use towels or pillows to support different areas of your body.
Your massage therapist may use oils or lotions on your skin. If you are allergic to any common ingredients of body oils or lotions, let us know.

Don't hesitate to let your massage therapist know if the level of pressure is too hard. If you feel any discomfort, ask her to use lighter strokes.

A typical medical massage lasts about 70 minutes.

After a massage, the massage therapist will step out of the room and allow you to relax alone for a few minutes and then get dressed.

What is Lymphatic Massage?

The use of massage as a healing therapy dates back centuries.
Lymphatic massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body’s lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.

Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins.

A strong immune system makes you feel balanced, happy and whole.

As with most massage, it is vital to drink lots of water after a lymphatic massage to flush away toxins that have been released.

Lymphatic Massage – What can it be used for? Lymphatic massage has been used for years to enhance the quality of the skin.

• Lymphatic massage aids the increase of lymph flow. When the lymph is flowing as it should, cells are bathed in fresh fluid making the skin look fresh and alive.
• When applied after neuromuscular massage, lymphatic massage helps to clear the tissue of debris and reduce the minor edema that can occur after deep tissue massage.
• It is thought that lymphatic massage can also help with breast cancer treatment, the scarring process by enhancing circulation and immunity.
• Increased lymph flow around the scar stimulates damaged lymph vessels to heal.
• Increased lymph flow draws away toxins improving the health of the tissues.