Oncology Massage

October 01, 2017

A lot of people, including massage therapists, have the belief that massage spreads cancer. This is NOT true. And to continually repeat this erroneous information denies people who are really in need of therapeutic touch from experiencing a powerfully relaxing and nurturing massage.

Massage can be given to anyone (with a small number of exceptions) at any stage of cancer treatment.

Massage for cancer patients

While the person is receiving chemotherapy – that means they can receive massage while connected to the “chemotherapy drip” or at anytime during the course of their chemotherapy.
It can also be given when the person has completed treatment.
Having had treatment for cancer does not mean they can never have a massage again.

How does Oncology massage differ from a standard massage?

The Oncology Massage therapist will be trained to ask questions related to the type of treatment/s the client has received for cancer. This is to allow the massage to be adjusted and adapted to suit the client.

These adjustments may include:

Positioning:

The therapist may take some time to get the client comfortable while making adjustment to facilitate

Tenderness at the site of an operation,
Equipment such as a line attached to your arm, a stoma bag or a port.
Tightness and holding in a muscle or limb which does not allow the client to relax.

Fatigue:

The fatigue that accompanies cancer treatment and recovery can be enormous. While lots of people regularly receive massage to help them sleep, at some stages of treatment or recovery, an over vigorous massage, while it feels good at the time, can leave the client exhausted for a few days. The Oncology Massage therapist is trained to adjust pressure, speed and duration to help reduce the possibility of further fatiguing the client’s body.

Types of massage available for cancer patients:

The Oncology massage therapist has been trained in a number of massage adaptations. Their focus is comfort. They can adapt almost any treatment to suit any stage of cancer treatment.

Receiving the diagnosis of cancer profoundly changes a person’s life. Everyone becomes highly stressed and many people feel lost and afraid. The disease information, the statistics, the list of possible treatments, the side effects and outcomes can be bewildering. Oncology massage therapists can help people at every stage of their cancer journey.

Christine Courtney is a qualified tutor and therapist in Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Massage and Reiki. All of her continual research and education is reflected in the excellent, modern and refreshing information studied on all courses taught at OBUS School of Healing Therapies.

by, Christine Courtney