Well, October is just a few days away! In light of it being Breast Cancer Awareness month (and lots of Pink being displayed to show support...I love it!!!), I wanted to share some information with you about massage therapy and cancer. Though massage won't stop cancer from growing or spreading, studies have shown that massage therapy does offer several benefits for those with cancer:
1. Improves Sleep
2. Anxiety Relief
3. Helps with Nausea
4. Eases Pain
5. Eases Fatigue
From the American Cancer society:
Massage is recommended by some health care professionals as a complementary therapy. Supporters believe massage can help reduce stress, anxiety, and pain in people who have serious illnesses such as cancer. It is also known to help relax muscles. Many people find that massage brings a temporary feeling of well-being and relaxation. Massage is also used to relieve pain and stiffness, increase mobility, rehabilitate injured muscles, and reduce the pain of headaches and backaches. Some practitioners claim massage raises the body's production of endorphins (chemicals believed to improve overall mood) and flushes the waste product lactic acid out of muscles. Proponents also claim massage promotes recovery from fatigue produced by excessive exercise, breaks up scar tissue, loosens mucus in the lungs, promotes sinus drainage, and helps arthritis, colds, and constipation.
Visit the link below to read more about what the American Cancer Society has regarding Massage Therapy and cancer.
I also found this among my search for information:
In a study done by Janice Post-White in 2003 at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and the United Hospital in Saint Paul, 230 people who were receiving chemotherapy for cancer were given various treatments including massage to see how they responded.
In the study, people were given four 45-minute treatments of intervention therapy a week. They were monitored to see what their responses were after the therapy.At the end of the study, they found that massage therapy and healing touch reduced pain, improved mood and increased relaxation more than just having a caring person present in the room or the usual care control. Both massage and healing touch lowered respiration and heart rate. Only massage lowered anxiety.
Important things to consider before trying massage therapy
If you have cancer it's important to let your massage therapist know about your diagnosis, treatment, and any symptoms you may have. You may also want to speak to your physician regarding massage before you book an appointment. Keep these things in mind:
- If you've just had breast surgery, you should lie on your back for a massage until your doctor decides it is safe for you to lie on your stomach.
- Deep massage, or any type of massage that involves strong pressure, should NOT be used if you are undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. People undergoing chemotherapy may have a decrease in red and white blood cells, so with deep massage, there is a risk of bruising. Since deep massage can be taxing to a system already vulnerable from chemotherapy and radiation, it is not recommended for people currently in treatment. Light massage can be used instead.
- If you're currently undergoing radiation, your massage therapist should avoid touching any sensitive skin in the treatment area. Massage and massage oils can make already-irritated skin feel much worse. Your therapist should also avoid touching any temporary markings in the corners of the radiation treatment field. If you don't have skin irritation in the treatment area, any massage to this area should be done very lightly through a soft towel or cloth.
- 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 underarms.
- If you have arm lymphedema, your arm and underarm area should be treated by a different kind of massage especially for lymphedema, called manual lymphatic drainage. Look for a physical, occupational, or massage therapist trained and certified in manual lymph drainage to treat your lymphedema.
You can view additional information at http://www.breastcancer.org
If you know someone that is fighting cancer, please share this information with them! I've had several clients come in post-surgery and/or pre/post-treatment and their feedback was that they felt great after their massage.
Also, for the month of October, I will be donating 10% of each service to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (and you'll also see me sporting my pink hair...just a streak, not my whole head!). If you want to donate, find a local team that is participating in the walk or visit http://www.komen.org
I'll post again soon; I miss having time to blog! :)
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