Cancer treatment usually includes complex medical intervention, there is additionally a place for restorative massage in the treatment decide on. 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 combating this disease.
How Massage is Applied to 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 in addition to standard cancer treatment. Before working on any client, however, it is essential to be sure that therapeutic massage 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 conditions. Some patients are approaching the end of their lives, while others expect to make a full recovery. Because of this, it is important to lift weights a plan for the massage therapy for the cancer patient that is additional individualized than a therapist might develop for healthier patients. It is also important to ask the client at each session if anything has changed, and in which to stay attuned to his or her need for less touch, more touch, maybe change in therapeutic treatment.
Massage Benefits for Cancer Patients
Oftentimes, cancer and cancer treatments result in pain and a sick stomach. Massage for cancer patients has been shown to help reduce pain as well if you wish to help reduce nausea levels. The therapy also boosts serotonin levels, which can fix the higher rates of depression common in cancer person.
In addition towards illness itself, cancer often robs people of their a sense of control and can contribute to unfavorable body image. Regular oncology massage for those who have cancer has proven to give them a treatment to look forward to, as well as an experience that assistance improve body image and outlook. While cancer cannot be treated through massage alone, regular massage can help to the side associated with treating the disease in many clients.
Concerns About Massage and Cancer Patients
There is a longstanding myth that massage for cancer patients can easily spread cancer to other places in the body. Fortunately, this has been proven incorrect. While massaging a tumor is never a good idea, there are a variety other cancer-free areas from the body that can benefit from oncology massage therapies.
In general, massage should be light and focus more on the holistic health of the client. Tumors should not be massaged, as they usually are tender or may press on bodily organs and structures, and you could damage the client’s health care.
Some cancer treatments can weaken the body, however, so restorative massage for cancer patients ought to be done carefully. Bones may be brittle, and areas where tissue recently been removed may be a source of pain or tenderness for quite some time. Other cancer treatments may cause nerve damage, and these areas ought to always be massaged using a light arm.
There are a handful important considerations that a therapist should keep in mind, as nicely. A person with cancer may maintain any stage of sickness, and you have to understand the particular client is feeling, and also where they may be weak or sore, before initiating the massage. The client may the IV line, radiation burns, or other weak points on his or her body might possibly require creative maneuvering so as to provide safe oncology massage therapy.
Justin Shelley (Licensed Massage Therapist)
1220 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19121
(267) 252-7658