As in the general population, massage can offer a wide range of benefits to those living with, and beyond cancer. Despite lingering fears among some people that massage may be harmful or spread cancer, there is no scientific evidence that this is the case. On the contary, studies have shown that massage is safe and can be hugely beneficial for those affected by cancer, even during active treatment and chemotherapy. The goal of massage therapy in oncology is to aid the patient to live better, feel better and improve their treatment outcomes. As a trained Oncology Massage therapist my aim is to support clients through their cancer ‘journey’ (I hate to use the ‘j’ word, but sometimes it feels like the most appropriate term). Cancer sucks, but if I can help support peoples well-being and help them navigate it with an additional degree of comfort then I’m doing my job properly, and that’s hugely rewarding.
Benefit 1. Decreased stress and anxiety
Increased levels of stress hormones can be beneficial for short term ‘fight or flight’ situations, but elevated levels of stress and anxiety over periods of weeks or months has a very negative effect on our bodies. Stress causes an increase in the release of cortisols, which when present long term and high volumes can can weaken our immune systems. Studies, involving taking blood samples from subjects pre and post massage, have shown that massage can have a positive impact on the levels of stress hormones, with reductions in the amount of cortisols being released into the blood stream. The blood samples also revealed an increase in the release of serotonin, the ‘happy’ hormone. By finding ways to reduce the stress response and reduce anxiety you are not only helping your body physically during your treatment and recovery, but your also improving your mind and emotions, enabling you to better mentally cope with the challenges of your treatment.
Benefit 2. Improved Sleep
In addition to increased serotonin levels, blood samples taken from massage clients during studies have also revealed that the body increased the production of dopamine, endorphines and oxytocin. These ‘feel good’ hormones play a key role in encouraging restful sleep, which in turn helps to improve mood and reduce feelings of depression. Quality sleep is vital in terms of repair and recovery, for all of our bodies in organs incluing the brain. The more you are able to encourage good quality restful sleep the more time your body has to carry out essential maintenance of all of the bodies systems. This in trun ensures you have more energy to deal with all that cancer treatment and life in general throws at us.
Benefit 3. Reduces Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. Our bodies become exhaused with the onslaught of the treatment and medication, and depression and anxiety further fuel those feelings of lethagy and fatigue. Massage is proven to improve feelings of fatigue by stimulating blood flow and oxygen around the body, refueling our muscles, and releasing those amazing ‘feel good’ hormones I’ve already mentioned.
Benefit 4. Pain Relief
Nerve and tissue damage can be the product of some cancer treatments, resulting in pain and discomfort both in the short term, and for some, the long term. Studies have found that the hormones and endorphins released during massage act as natural pain-relievers, reducing the pain levels reported by patients.
Benefit 5. Better Immune Function
Massage therapy has been shown to increase levels of both natural killer cells and lymphocytes. These are the white cells that are crucial to the immune system. Natural killer cells are part of our innate immune system and help to control microbial infections by limiting their spread. Bolstering the bodys ability to fight infection is never more important than when you’re being bombarded with medication and recovering from treatment.
Benefit 7. Relaxation
This may seem like a superficial or flippant benefit compared with the many more urgent things you face when living with cancer. However, the need for relaxation should never be underestimated. Relaxation is ‘medicine’ for your mental and physical health, and carving out time to leave cancer at the door and to truely switch off is a key part of your overall feelings of well-being and journey to recovery. One of the founding principles of The Restorative Room and my Oncology service is to provide a safe and nurturing space where clients can leave Cancer at the door and ‘just be’. Stepping into a calming, relaxing and restorative space where they can be themselves, without feeling like a patient can be profound. That gift of being able to switch off and truely relax is perhaps the biggest gift any of us can receive.
Benefit 8. Nausea reduction in chemotherapy patients
Nausea is a common and major side effect of chemotherapy, however research has shown that regular short periods of gentle hands on massage during active treatment can significantly reduce the nausea effect. By adapting each treatment to the client I’m able to ensure that no matter where you are in your treatment cycle and regardless of what physical challenges and side effects you’re experiencing we can find a way of finding you some relief.
There are different massage techniques and types available to choose from. Some treatments may involve deeper myofascial techniques and stretching to restore movement and function after surgery. Others may be more subtle, like gentle Lymphatic massage, which aims to boost facilitate drainage and reduce swelling. Gentle soft touch massage, as in the Jennifer Young treatments gives a warm gentle touch that triggers the body’s healing response to work on many different levels.
Massage promotes deep restoration and relaxation. The emphasis of an oncology massage session is placed on the therapist to be fully present with your needs, allowing you to feel safe and nurtured and offering you a safe place to simply’be’. Studies have shown that interventions to reduce a patient’s psychological stress levels may improve wound repair and recovery and are hugely complimentary to the medical side of their treatment.
HR Massage Therapies 