Massage and Life With Cancer
“Can I receive a massage if…?”
I have often been asked questions by people wondering if their illness, injury, or other conditions mean they can still receive massage. I believe that the answer is almost always going to be “Yes!”
Now, what comes after that “yes” will depend on each individual situation, but there are ways to modify a massage session so that any person can safely receive the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of bodywork.
I’m passionate about finding ways for everyone to experience bodywork, and this has driven me to further my education in such areas as injury treatment, prenatal massage, craniosacral, and oncology massage - the latter of which is the subject of this post.
What is oncology massage?
Broadly speaking, oncology massage is a massage or other bodywork session for people with cancer. This includes those currently going through treatment, recovering from treatment, or living with the effects of past cancers.
Perhaps you’ve wondered if massage is safe for people with cancer, or have heard various claims about it in the past. While research is ongoing and there is much to be learned, there is significant consensus that people with cancer can benefit tremendously from bodywork at any stage of their experience.
The key is that massage and other therapies may have to be modified depending on the situation. With a knowledgeable therapist who understands the risks and rewards, bodywork can be safe and enjoyable for folks with cancer.
How can massage help someone with cancer?
Massage and other “touch therapies,” such as craniosacral, can help to mitigate some of the many side effects of cancer and its treatments. The issues most researched are the effect on pain, anxiety, and fatigue - symptoms which the majority of people with cancer experience at some point in their journey.
There are myriad reasons why a person with cancer may have pain, anxiety or fear, and fatigue: the stress/anxiety surrounding a diagnosis, the effects of chemo or radiation therapy, recovery from surgery, and so much more. Because there is a strong link between increased stress and a decrease in immune function, the benefit of bodywork on these factors may bolster the immune system as well.
Additionally, anecdotal evidence points to touch therapies as a way to improve mood, depression, insomnia, nausea, and other symptoms. Trauma often accompanies the cancer process as well. These effects can be addressed in a deep, caring way through trauma-informed bodywork. Being able to have massage, craniosacral, or other touch therapy sessions alongside other treatments can be a powerful way to improve overall quality of life and get some relief from side effects.
What kinds of “modifications” might be necessary?
The modifications to a massage or other bodywork session might include:
Positioning: Side-lying massage or being propped up with bolsters/pillows might be useful at times such as when someone has recently had surgery, has discomfort from radiation, is experiencing nausea, or has trouble changing positions often.
Pressure: Altering the depth of pressure and the kind of strokes used is a very common modification. Cancer and its treatments can affect blood circulation, the lymphatic system, skin health and sensitivity, and more, so a shift in technique might be necessary to ensure safe bodywork. Just know that effective, relaxing treatments are still possible - even without deep pressure!
Site/Location: Some areas of the body may need to be avoided in certain circumstances, such as after surgery or if an area is compromised from treatments. That said, it is usually the case that many areas of the body can receive touch, even if some have to be avoided. There is evidence that even simple hand, foot, and/or head massages can bring tremendous relief.
The value of informed, careful bodywork for people with cancer is not only relevant to those with cancer. Families, friends, caregivers, and medical professionals can benefit from understanding how valuable massage and touch therapies can be - for their loved ones and for themselves.
Bodywork can be a profound tool for anyone, regardless of the difficult or sensitive situation they might be in. As a therapist, I am compelled to honor the experiences folks have had and to support their healing, in whatever form that may take.
Thank you to Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT for her invaluable work on oncology massage and education.
References (hyperlinked within above article):
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Russell NC, Sumler SS, Beinhorn CM, Frenkel MA. Role of massage therapy in cancer care. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Mar;14(2):209-14. doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.7176. PMID: 18315504.