Oncology Massage: Safe and Effective
In many ways cancer has become a ubiquitous term in the modern day lexicon. Whether we see it in the news, have a friend or family member who receives a cancer related diagnosis, or if we receive a diagnosis ourselves, cancer in many ways, is all around us.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life altering. There are so many unknowns, so many new things that must be done. And it is different for everyone: a cancer diagnosis does not yield the same treatment for every person, does not present the same path for each patient. When being faced with serious illness and the great challenges that come with it, good support is critical.
A cancer diagnosis isn’t just about navigating medical treatment. As multifaceted beings, it is critical to build a multifaceted treatment plan that will support all of the different aspects of who we are: mental, physical, and emotional. Massage therapy is one complementary therapy that has the potential to provide tremendous benefit to individuals living with a cancer diagnosis. In considering adding massage therapy to one’s care plan, it is important to understand the implications so as to have a successful experience.
Massage Does Not Spread Cancer In The Body
Contemporary understanding of the usage of massage therapy with oncology patients has changed significantly in recent decades. For many years, there has been a misguided concern that massaging someone with cancer could spread or worsen the cancer in a patient’s body. This has been proved, through many studies, and a deeper understanding of the physiology of cancer, to be untrue.
The unfortunate consequence of such misinformation is that historically, and even currently, there are patients who are not receiving even simple compassionate touch, which can have an incredibly positive impact on their lives during such a difficult time.
For many years, massage curriculum taught that a cancer diagnosis was a contraindication for receiving massage. Because of this misconception, it was normal for massage students to receive little to no education on the impacts of cancer treatments on the body and the unique needs of oncology patients. It is not entirely clear where and when the notion that cancer cells could be mechanically spread around the body, but the vast body of research that exists around cancer and its pathophysiology has proven that cancer is a biochemical rather than biomechanical process that results in dysfunctional genetic expression in the body.
When considering the possibility that direct pressure (as utilized in massage therapy) may cause metastasis through increased circulation, it is important to consider the biological conditions required for cancer cells to metastasize within the body. The physiological processes involved are beyond the scope of this post, however, for further reading in her 2000 article, “Could Massage Therapy Promote Cancer Metastasis” Debra Curties methodically explains these processes. Some of the top takeaways on this topic from her article include:
“Tumor cells for the various cancer types have their own characteristic rates and time frames for metastatic development. It is possible that only a certain percentage of cells are capable of the splitting off mechanism, and that this percentage varies in different cancers. These factors are beyond the control of the massage therapist.”
“[...]it has been accepted that the rate of survival of metastatic cells in the bloodstream is somewhere under one percent. This extremely high mortality rate is hypothesized to be the result of several hostile factors. These include attack by the host's immune system, incapacity of the sessile (not designed for movement) cancer cells to absorb nutrients while in circulation, and trauma from continuous movement.”
“If an increased risk does exist, massage would not be isolated in creating this type of effect. Were it to be true that stimulation of the circulation encourages metastasis, hot showers, exercise, sexual activity and many other aspects of daily life would confer equivalent risks. Individuals with cancer are almost always encouraged to exercise and remain as active as they can [...]” (1)
As we move into the future of cancer care, it is critical that patients have as many ameliorative services available to them as possible. Providing massage and compassionate touch to patients going through the arduous experience of cancer treatment is just one piece of a diverse, supportive care plan.
Potential Benefits Of Oncology Massage
Research dedicated to the study of the impacts of massage on the body is still in its nascent phase. This is even more true in the field of oncology massage. With that in mind, a number of studies have been completed to determine, clinically, what benefits massage can have for people living with a cancer diagnosis. These studies are often seeking to prove benefits that have been claimed anecdotally (i.e. based on personal experience). Benefits that some patients have experienced as a result of receiving massage during treatment include improvements of:
Pain
Anxiety
Nausea and Vomiting
Stress
Fatigue
Insomnia
Depression
Overall Quality of Life
As research continues, more conclusive information will be made available regarding the statistical probability of experiencing certain benefits of massage therapy treatment during different treatment protocols for cancer patients. That being said, because of the low risk of adverse reaction (when working with a therapist with dedicated oncology massage training), adding massage to one’s care plan has the potential to provide great benefit with minimal risk.
Oncology Massage Is Different From Regular Massage
Although massage cannot spread cancer in the body, and there are abundant possible benefits to receiving massage during treatment, people living with a cancer diagnosis do have a unique set of considerations and needs that are important to address when receiving massage. These needs are based on a multitude of factors, including: type of treatment the patient is receiving, what side effects that specific patient may be experiencing, and where in their treatment plan that patient is.
Because oncology massage is not a standard part of most massage therapy curricula, working with someone trained specifically in this modality will ensure that clients are working with therapists who are aware of the nature of different cancer treatments, and the side effects of said treatments. This will help ensure the comfort and success of the session, while minimizing the risk of an adverse reaction.
In Conclusion
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a scary experience. Such a diagnosis puts many clinical wheels in motion, and as that happens it can be easy to feel lost in the shuffle as one becomes a Patient who is being subjected to a litany of treatments that are very hard on the body. During this time finding the time and space to be cared for in a gentle, compassionate, and safe way can have immeasurable impact on one’s day to day quality of life. Oncology massage is just one of a great many options available during one’s journey with cancer to help create this space, but it is a reminder that health is not something achieved solely in the clinic, but holistically through a multitude of avenues.
Waiver
Any information presented in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of an individual’s health care provider. Consult your healthcare provider if the treatment modality presented in this article is something you are interested in pursuing.
1 Curties, Debra. Massage Therapy and Cancer. Moncton, NB: Curties-Overzet Publications, 1999
