How massage therapy helps cancer patients?

Written by AZ Oncology on June 10, 2020. Posted in Information.

TLDR: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy can have devastating side effects on your body. If you’re dealing with issues like these, massage therapy is an effective therapy option that you can use to alleviate your symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, massage therapy does not have any adverse side effects that are harmful to cancer patients in particular.

Dealing with cancer is already stressful on the mind and body when you factor in the side effects that specific treatments cause, that existing stress can be amplified. Most people suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment look for therapeutic methods to help alleviate some of the pain they experience. The only problem with this is that there are several different treatment options available for you to choose from.

One of the most common post-cancer treatment options is massage therapy. Massage therapy gives you the ability to relax your muscles, which aids in soothing pain and discomfort caused by curative procedures. For those dealing with cancer for the first time, finding out as much information as possible before beginning any treatment is essential.

We’re going to give you a detailed breakdown below to help you better understand the benefits that massage therapy can offer.

How does massage therapy help cancer patients?

Peripheral neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy, and massage therapy can reduce symptoms associated with this condition. Massage therapy is starting to become widely accepted by many healthcare professionals who specialize in treating cancer patients. Most hospitals offer inhouse massage services for patients undergoing treatment and for those who are recovering.

Here are some of the primary benefits that cancer patients experience when using massage therapy:

Nausea Relief
Stress Reduction
Pain Reduction
Lymphedema Alleviation
Reduction in anxiety & depression
Reducing fatigue
Improved Sleep Quality

All of these benefits directly address some of the most common problems that cancer patients deal with after undergoing treatment. Having to go through cancer treatment can make you feel like all hope is lost. By finding an effective therapy solution that will help you overcome your symptoms, confidence can be restored in your life, leading to a boost in your well-being.

There are many misconceptions about massage therapy and the potential risks it carries for recovering from cancer treatment.

What to expect when using massage therapy for pain relief

Before getting massage therapy, there are a few things that you should know. First off, massage therapy is a very hands-on treatment that will involve your massage therapist touching multiple areas of your body. Your therapist will target specific muscle groups and points on your body that needs the most relief according to your diagnosis.

If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of having someone touch all over your body, massage therapy may not be for you. Several different massage techniques can be employed to help relieve some of the symptoms you’re experiencing. Some of the most popular massage techniques are classical massage, aromatherapy, Swedish massage, and myofascial massage.

These different techniques provide tailored relief and benefits depending on the specific pain you’re experiencing. The amount of time that your massage therapy sessions take and how many you will have to undergo will depend on the particular symptoms that you are experiencing.

Does massage help, cancer patients?

Yes, medical studies conducted have shown evidence that massages can help cancer patients both after and during treatment. Massage therapy can help cancer patients counteract both emotional and physical side effects that traditional treatment options can impose on your body.

Are massages bad for cancer patients?

No, it’s quite the opposite as massages are advantageous, mainly when used as a central component of palliative care for patients.

Can deep tissue massage spread cancer?

No, there has been no concrete evidence that suggests deep tissue massages can spread cancer throughout the body. Most massage therapists will avoid areas on your body that have tumor tissue.

Conclusion

Using all of this information can help you get the exact relief you need from any side effects you’re experiencing from chemotherapy. Take control of your symptoms and let massage therapy be one of the tools you utilize.