Cancer treatment usually includes complex medical intervention, but there is also a place for restorative massage in the treatment prepare. Whether it is used to address pain or nausea, to give relaxation and comfort, or even to boost the immune system, incorporating massage therapy into cancer treatment can offer person suffering from cancer additional help in slowing this disease.
How Massage is Used in Cancer Treatment
Massage for cancer patients, or oncology massage, is rapidly gaining a reading. As massage builds growing scientific evidence for its provision of measurable health benefits, many people with cancer are seeking massage therapy in addition to standard cancer treatment. Before functioning on any client, however, once you be sure that massage treatment for the cancer patient has been approved by his or her personal physician.
Massage therapy for cancer patients isn’t a “one treatment fits all” affair. Many people with cancer look fit and healthy, while others may be weak or in pain. Some patients are approaching the end of their lives, while others predict to make a full recovery. Because of this, it is important to work out a plan for the massage therapy for cancer patient that is significantly individualized than a therapist might develop for healthier patients. It is also important to ask the client at each session if something has changed, and remain attuned to his or her need for less touch, more touch, perhaps a change in therapeutic treatment.
Massage Benefits for Cancer Patients
Oftentimes, cancer and cancer treatments could potentially cause pain and a sick stomach. Massage for cancer patients has been consideration to help reduce pain as well when it comes to help reduce nausea levels. The therapy also boosts serotonin levels, which can help with the higher rates of depression common in cancer individuals.
In addition to your illness itself, cancer often robs people of their a sense control and can contribute to unfavorable body image. Regular oncology massage for people who have cancer has been proven to give them a treatment to check forward to, as well experience that assistance improve body image and outlook. While cancer cannot be treated through massage therapy alone, regular massage can help to reduce the side effects of treating the disease in many clienteles.
Concerns About Massage and Cancer Patients
There is often a longstanding myth that massage for cancer patients can actually spread the cancer to as well as in the body. Fortunately, this has been proven incorrect. While massaging a tumor itself is never the idea, there are many other cancer-free areas with the body that will benefit from oncology therapeutic.
In general, massage should be light while focusing more across the holistic health of the client. Tumors should not be massaged, as they may be tender or may press on areas and structures, and can damage the client’s health.
Some cancer treatments can weaken the body, however, so massage treatment for cancer patients ought to be done carefully. Bones may be brittle, and areas where tissue already been removed can be a source of pain or tenderness for quite some time. Other cancer treatments may cause nerve damage, and these areas should always be massaged having a light arm.
There are many important considerations that a therapist need to keep in mind, as nicely. A person with cancer may stop in any stage of sickness, and it is advisable to understand the actual way the client is feeling, as well as where they may be weak or sore, before initiating the massage. The client may have an IV line, radiation burns, or other weak points on her body which will require creative maneuvering to be able to provide safe oncology therapeutic massage.
Justin Shelley (Licensed Massage Therapist)
1220 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(267) 252-7658