Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients
By Brittany at 7 November, 2009, 9:45 pm
A number of procedures and strategies exist for treating cancer, but therapies for providing comfort and improving quality of life for patients are few. One non-invasive therapy that can benefit cancer patients is massage therapy.
Once considered detrimental for those suffering from cancer, massage therapy is now viewed as beneficial when certain guidelines are followed. The American Cancer Society reports that massage therapy appears promising in managing the side effects of cancer treatments such as chronic pain and discomfort. Even the disease itself can cause significant discomfort and pain for sufferers. Pain causes increased stress, which can interfere with healing. A review of studies from around the world conducted by the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine and Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center concluded that massage can be an effective method of managing pain and reducing stress.
Massage promotes relaxation by improving blood flow and circulation. As a therapist rubs a client’s muscles, blood vessels dilate increasing blood flow, which increases oxygen supply. Massage can be focused on particular areas, such as the feet or the upper body or can be performed on the whole body depending on the needs and condition of the client. When working with cancer sufferers, therapists should keep in mind particular considerations.
Cancer treatments can leave some patients fragile, so therapists working with cancer patients should make sure that a client has clearance from his or her doctor to receive massage therapy and should adjust their normal massage techniques to account for treatment wounds. Therapists should avoid massaging areas directly over tumors or areas inflamed from medical treatments. Massage should be considered a complementary therapy in addition to the client’s other medical treatments, and a therapist should be educated about a client’s condition and what other procedures the client is undergoing.
Radiation patients may be more likely to suffer an allergic reaction to massage lotions or oils, and chemotherapy patients may have low blood platelet counts or be on blood-thinning medications that make them prone to bruising. Massage should be avoided immediately after surgery or traumatic treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
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