Massage includes shifting (manipulating) muscles as well as rubbing or stroking the body’s soft tissues. Massage can be performed in a number of ways. Oncology massage therapists are specially trained to change stroke pressure, pace, length, and direction to ensure a comfortable session for a person with cancer at any stage of the disease.
Massage therapy can help with lymphedema (swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid). Manual lymphatic drainage is the term for this technique.
Why would you want to use it?
By applying pressure to the body’s muscles and pressure points, both massage styles seek to facilitate deep tissue relaxation. This relieves muscular as well as emotional stress. The type of massage provided to cancer patients during or after treatment is determined by the type of treatment they are receiving.
Massage has sparked widespread concern over the years that it may raise the risk of cancer cells spreading to other areas of the body. There is, however, no proof that this occurs.
What would you expect?
Massage is typically done in a comfortable, quiet setting. It can be done either lying down on a massage table or sitting in a chair. On various parts of the body, the therapist uses a variety of strokes. Massage therapists may need to change their intensity to avoid those areas of the body when operating on a cancer patient.
Some massages are administered when you are fully dressed, while others require you to undress to your underwear so that the therapist can use oil to more comfortably run their hands over your skin. Pillows can be placed under various parts of your body to provide support. If you need something to help you feel more at ease, such as a shift of intensity or another blanket, let the therapist know. During the massage, you may prefer to close your eyes.
There is evidence
