Massage for People Living with Cancer

I have three years of experience and comprehensive, specialized training in working with people living with cancer. Here are a few of the questions that people often ask about massage and cancer:

Can massage spread cancer?

There has been and continues to be extensive research on cancer as well as the use of massage with patients living with cancer. The spread of cancer involves very complex processes, and there has not been any documentation that shows that massage spreads cancer.

Can massage help people with cancer?

Research on cancer and massage continues to grow and results have been documented with a variety of cancers. Studies overall have shown the tremendous benefits that massage can provide to cancer patients, including:

• emotional support and comfort
• decrease in anxiety and depression
• relief/reduction of pain, nausea, vomiting and fatigue
• increased quality of life

How is massage for cancer patients different from normal massage?

The basic massage techniques are the same. The difference is that adjustments may need to be made to create a safe session based on the type of cancer, medical interventions, or complications. These adjustments can include: pressure, position, site, speed and duration.

How do I know if my massage therapist is qualified to do this work?

Always ask about someone's training and their experience in working with people with cancer. They should have received specialized training and have an understanding of medical terminology, the course of cancer in general, interventions, and complications in order to provide a safe and effective treatment.