Massage Therapy For Cancer Patients
Massage therapy is a great complement to care when fighting cancer. It is important to understand that massage therapy is a generalized term for many different modalities. Some modalities will not be indicated for certain patients due to different medications being used and types of cancer being addressed. If you think massage may be beneficial to you or a family member, always discuss your plans with your oncologist and get their input.
With so many different types of cancer it is hard to generalize treatment with just a relaxation massage. Sometimes patients are prescribed steroids to help keep their tumor from growing, which can cause edema. In cases of severe edema, lymphatic drainage may be necessary.
Lymphatic Drainage
The therapist works within the patient’s comfort level using only a small amount of pressure. The massage manually pushes lymph to proximal lymph nodes, then works distally to push lymph and interstitial fluid to more proximal nodes. The lymph will filter out debris and send most fluid to the kidneys where is it filtered once more and eliminated. In severe cases, the therapist will use bandages during the process of lymphatic drainage. Most lymphatic drainage sessions will take at least 90 minutes or more.
Massage is a great complementary treatment to radiation or chemotherapy
First let’s discuss types of chemotherapy, there are oral chemotherapy drugs prescribed during cancer treatments as well as intravenous drugs. The biggest question: How do I know if massage is indicated during these times? And the answer: Always keep a log of your vitals and bring it with you to your massage therapist. The most recent numbers will let them know what type of massage they can administer and if they are qualified to administer it. If your white blood cells dip too low, a Swedish massage may not be the best modality. There are different modalities to look into such as energy, reiki, craniosacral or reflexology may be best.
Energy and Reiki
The therapist will work in the electromagnetic field (the area when you are close enough for static to make the hairs on your arm stand up). The feeling is sometimes heat present or tingling, qualified and trained therapists can feel differences in your electromagnetic field, instead of feeling the surface of skin for temperature changes, they sense above it. The effect is very relaxing and non-invasive. Since there is no contact with the skin, there are no contra-indications with the chemotherapy or radiation.
Craniosacral
Craniosacral involves the alignment of cranial bones, spinal fluid, dura mater and the fascia that connects them. The process is very relaxing; the patient remains fully clothed while lying face up on a table. The therapist works facing the patient’s head and shoulders while gently holding their cranium in both hands. A series of relaxing stretches and rhythmical movements are used to align the structures and regulate the spinal tide.
Reflexology
The therapist focuses solely on the feet, gently pushing and stretching different part of the foot. There is a map on the foot that is laid out to correspond to each organ center as well as landmarks of the body such as spine and eyes. The purpose of the treatment is essentially for relaxation.
