Touch is one of the very first experiences we have upon entering this world. Skin-to-skin contact helps calm babies, as it releases hormones that relieve stress and help stabilize the baby’s temperature, breathing rate, heart rate, and blood sugar.
Babies aren’t the only ones who benefit from touch. Have you ever been feeling down and had a friend come sit by you and put their arm around you? Do you recall the feeling that seemed to wash over you, which immediately gave you some relief from your pain? Studies have proven, using MRIs, that there’s a change in brain activity when we are touched: certain endorphins are released, which combat the release of stress hormones.
While touch is vital to our overall well-being, when we are sick, it becomes even more important. When one is diagnosed with cancer, stress levels immediately spike and treatment only exacerbates the stress. Therapeutic touch is currently being studied as a complementary treatment in hospitals around the country and oncology massage is one of those treatments.
Oncology massage is a specialized form of massage in which therapists are trained to understand the disease and the many ways it can affect the body, the side effects of treatment (such as medications, surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation) and how to modify techniques for the unique needs of each client.
Therapists are also trained in how to work with lymphedema as well as with ports and other medical devices and the touch is often more gentle with slow, steady movements. The therapist will ask many questions to determine her course of treatment, such as treatment history, tumor site, lymph involvement, blood clot risks, what medications are prescribed, etc. and address any concerns that the client might have.
Oncology massage benefits not only those in active treatment, but also those in recovery as well as cancer survivors. Massage is also beneficial as palliative care for those at end-of-life as it relieves the most debilitating effects of the disease such as pain, depression, and anxiety and allows the patient to have the highest quality of life possible.
We all know the benefits of massage, but when one is going through an extremely stressful illness such as cancer, the benefits are magnified. Not only is massage relaxing, but it can improve energy levels as well as promote sleep. It can give some relief from pain and nausea, ease depression and anxiety, and may even improve immune response.
Anything we can do to reduce stress levels while going through a major illness will boost the body’s ability to heal itself. Touch is one of the most relaxing healing modalities we have at our disposal.
If you think oncology massage might complement your treatment, be sure to check with your doctor first. Second, give us a call to set up an appointment with our specially trained therapist, who is very happy to provide a therapeutic massage specifically designed to meet your needs.