Why Massage Is difficult For Cancer Patients?

Massage For Cancer Patients

I hear all too often that many of those diagnosed with cancer commonly have difficulty finding a trained therapist to help them get a massage treatment, which normally leads to them being turned away from spas and salons because they have cancer or a history.

A person diagnosed with cancer is constantly having difficulty receiving holistic treatments, such as massage. There have been a number of negative myths, which are due to misunderstandings about the nature of the disease and the usual medical treatments carried out. Normally, the majority of those who have cancer are rejected when they go to clinics, salons, and spas to get a massage treatment.

Different reports say that some cancer patients have even gone so far as to hide the fact that they are undergoing cancer treatment just to get a massage, which clearly should not be the case. Some of the other contraindications, therapists are afraid to massage somebody with cancer because they believe that this will lead to the spread of the cancer, they do not really know that massage treatment can be very effective in cancer patients.

The idea of therapists do not consider it appropriate to massage people with cancer is absolutely absurd; they see all these myths as an excuse not to give these clients massage treatment, and the main reason for this is simply a lack of education, without the right knowledge of what adjustments are needed, it only leads to fear within the therapists.

It has been an excellent relief that some medical organizations, hospices, and of course myself, have taken amazing steps to dispel these outdated myths and introduce complementary therapies with conventional medicine. We have succeeded in establishing complementary therapy programs that help to promote therapists in treating patients with or recovering from cancer.

Safety measures a massage therapist should take when dealing with cancer patients

A number of safety measures should be kept in check when masseurs are dealing with people with cancer. Massage therapy, which is normally given to cancer patients, is fully different from the way that is given to people without cancer.

Therapists who are trained in oncology massage are the best and most suitable professionals needed to administer the therapy because they have a profound understanding of the effects of cancer on the body.

However, prior to massage treatment, a well-trained massage therapist usually carries out a thorough consultation in order to establish a treatment plan that ensures the safety and well-being of the patient at each stage of their cancer treatment.

It has been said that the Society for Integrative Oncology recommends the use of massages for cancer pain and anxiety, but it has been warned against using deep or intense pressure near cancer lesions or enlarged lymph nodes. All cancer charities also have sites dedicated to recommending massages for cancer patients.

It has always been a myth that massage spreads cancer; the metastases of cancer cells are a complex the interplay of structural, hormonal, biochemical, immunological, and genetic factors that control cell development. However, pain, inflammation, or sensitivity to pressure are other reasons why massage therapists should make gentle touches and avoid direct or deep massage via a surgical or tumor site or in a limb distal to lymph node removal.

Masseurs were advised to avoid deep massages in radiation areas, as the skin can be fragile and the underlying tissue may be fibrotic or edematous. Oils and lotions should also be avoided in these areas during massage treatment.

Care should be taken for patients with cancer-related pain. A massage does not relieve the pain caused by the pressure of the tumor on the surrounding areas. Applying a light touch massage helps to relieve anxiety or pain, while a deep massage can exacerbate the pain by increasing inflammation or causing fragile bones.

  • Affected blood cell counts
  • Weak or unstable tissue
  • Location of cancer tumor
  • Risk of blood clots
  • Involvement of the lymph nodes

With all appropriate safety measures, a more appropriate and safer massage treatment for those who have cancer can be carried out.

Training for therapists who massage people with cancer

In order for masseurs to be able to help people with cancer so that they never have to reject them, they need some kind of training that is related to all of this, which then leads us to an oncology massage certificate or training program that masseurs have to go through.

An oncology massage certificate or training program normally prepares therapists for the treatment of cancer patients with massage bodywork. This program is very important for therapists because it gives them a more dynamic understanding of how cancer patients can be helped by a massage. A certificate and training program requires that a therapist undergoes a massage therapy program and has a certification as a massage therapist before registering.

The main reason for the Oncology Massage Certification Program is to teach the therapist different methods of safely performing massage treatments. An oncological masseur can choose to work exclusively with cancer patients. This program exclusively places more emphasis on using massage treatment to ease psychological and physical effects during cancer treatment. If a massage therapist has been capable to complete the whole program, he/she will be able to help cancer patients and there is no need to send them away.

Benefits of massage for cancer patients

There has been so much positive feedback from cancer patients after a massage treatment that there seem to be different benefits that normally occur when cancer patients have a massage.

A therapist trained in oncology massage has been able to achieve a lot of positive effects, ranging from relaxation to mobilizing scar tissue to reduce pain, but anecdotal evidence has shown that people with cancer are more prone to reap and enjoy more benefits after a massage treatment.

Cancer patients can experience a lot of benefits, including:

  • Deep relaxation
  • Better sleep
  • Reduced stress
  • Reduced anxiety
  • Less nausea
  • Reduced pain
  • Feel more alert and have more mental clarity

Patients have a lot to gain by undergoing a massage, so it is the duty of a massage therapist to help them feel alive again by welcoming them to every massage and not having to turn them away when they come for a massage. Therapists can now fully help people with cancer because they now know what safety measures they need to take and what training they need to go through to help their cancer-stricken clients.


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