Transcript Massage for People with a History of Cancer

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE
The adaptation of massage to safely nurture
the body, mind and spirit of anyone diagnosed
with cancer.
Society for Oncology Massage
Oncology Massage
Skilled touch is beneficial at nearly every stage
of the cancer experience, during hospitalization,
the pre- or post-operative period, in the
outpatient clinic, during chemotherapy and
radiation, recovery at home, remission, or cure
and in the end stages of life.
Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT, Author of “Medicine Hands:
Massage for People Living with Cancer”
Oncology Massage: A Recognized Modality
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Recommended by:
Cancer Society
 Society for Integrative Oncology
 LiveStrong
 American
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Offered at many cancer centers:
 MD
Anderson Cancer Center
 Oregon Health & Science University
 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
 And other cancer centers across the US and abroad
Massage Benefits during Treatment
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Reduces short-term pain, anxiety, fatigue,
feelings of isolation
Enhances mood
Contributes to better rest
Improves perception of treatment
Research Studies and Results
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Safety and Efficacy of Massage Therapy for Patients with Cancer (2005)
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Massage Therapy for Symptom Control: Outcome Study at a Major Cancer
Center
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MEDLINE and CINAHL database study showing strongest evidence for stress
reduction with trends toward pain reduction
Memorial Sloan Kettering observational study of 1,290 patients
Rated symptoms (pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression) pre- and postmassage with immediate reduction in all areas
Massage Therapy May Have Immediate Positive Effect on Pain and Mood for
Advanced Cancer Patients (2008)
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NIH funded study
Randomized trial of 380 advanced cancer patients at 15 US hospices
Improvement in pain and mood following massage compared with simple touch
Massage Benefits Post Treatment
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Restores a feeling of wholeness to the body
Increases range of motion and suppleness to areas
affected by surgery and radiation
Stress reduction/ restorative rest
Pain reduction
The Case for
Oncology Massage Training
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People living with cancer are medically
complex with with unique considerations
Most therapists don’t receive training to help
them understand the complexity of people who
have had treatment for cancer
Oncology Massage
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Common modalities used for cancer patients
are comfort massage, reflexology, and
acupressure done with light pressure
Comfort-oriented bodywork provided by a
trained oncology massage practitioner
Typical Oncology Massage Training
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The importance of being “present” for the client
Benefits and precautions for cancer patients
The biology of cancer; how it starts, how it spreads
and its effect on the body
Types of treatment and common side effects
Typical Oncology Massage Training
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How to do a thorough assessment/intake
Utilizing critical thinking skills to provide a
beneficial and safe massage session
Supervised sessions with guidance from an
experienced instructor
Massage in a Less Demanding Way
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Less is more
Inch forward (or backward)
Slower strokes
Shorter sessions
Checking in with clients the day after massage
Tailoring a Session for the Individual
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Oncology massage plan considers:
 Pressure moderation
 Position adjustments
 Site restrictions
 Lymphedema risk
 Session length
Pressure Moderation
Required always, especially:
 Immunosuppression
 Extreme
fatigue
 Nausea
 Lymphedema/risk
of
lymphedema
 Bone
fragility/metastases
 Medical
devices
 Fragile skin
 Peripheral
neuropathy
 Pain
 Pain medication
Position Adjustments
May be required:
 Incision
tenderness
 Medical devices
 Shortness of breath
 Pain
 Mucositis
 Tumor/metastases
 Constipation
 Reconstruction
 Expanders
 Ascites
Site Restrictions
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Always:
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 Tumor
 Radiation
Perhaps:
 Peripheral
skin
reaction
 Medical devices
 Skin fragility
neuropathy
 Hair loss
 Bone metastases
Lymphedema Risk
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Surgery or radiation to cervical, axillary or inguinal
nodes puts patient at increased risk of lymphedema
Oncology trained therapists will often have
knowledge of:
 Lymphatic
system: quadrants
 Modifications for comfort based massage
 Less
pressure, less time, stroke direction
 Bolsters/position
A trained therapist should easily be able to
answer the following questions:
 Have
you received training in how to work safely
with people diagnosed with cancer?
 What
kind of modifications would you make based
on my current status?
 What
do you know about massage for people at
risk of lymphedema?
For Further Information …
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See “Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People
with Cancer”, 2nd Ed. (2007, Findhorn Press)
http://astore.amazon.com/sociforoncoma-20
Visit the S4OM website at http://www.s4om.org.
Email your questions to [email protected].
Contact a member of S4OM.