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myself, have taken amazing steps to dispel these outdated myths and introduce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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