Oncology massage is an emerging field that safely adapts massage and bodywork to the needs of people in active cancer treatment, in recovery and survivorship, as well as those at the end of life.
Essential aspects of an oncology massage therapist's skill set are an informed understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer; the side effects of cancer treatments, such as medications, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation; and the ability to modify massage techniques in order to adapt for these side effects, as well as for the disease.
Until relatively recently, massage was contraindicated for
cancer patients. However, research has shown that massage therapy as an
adjunct to traditional cancer treatments has many benefits:
- Reduces pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces nausea
- Improves sleep and feeling of well being
- Improves immune system functioning
- Brings focused, nurturing touch to people who have undergone painful, invasive medical treatments
Oncology massage does not try to "fix" anything, and unlike many massage modalities is not a series of techniques or applied protocols. Rather, it is the ability of the therapist to recognize and safely work within clinically established guidelines, given a client's unique circumstance.
