Massage therapy is a therapeutic option that has been shown to help manage pain. People who are undergoing cancer therapies can have debilitating pain symptoms depending on the type and stage of cancer they are fighting. A recent study concluded that cancer patients should consider massage therapy to help manage their cancer pain. Cancer pain can range from mild to severe and people often experience anxiety and depression, as well as other symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, and weakness that impair normal daily activities and negatively impact their quality of life.
Based on the study from the Samueli Institute, commissioned by the Massage Therapy Foundation, with support from the American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy shows promise for reducing pain intensity/severity, fatigue, and anxiety in people suffering from pain. Massage is considered a complementary therapy. Complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person, and are used in conjunction with conventional medicine. Massage therapy does not replace cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation.
While massage doesn’t treat the cancer itself, it may help reduce the side effects caused by conventional treatments and improve a cancer patient's quality of life and sense well-being. Massage therapy can help reduce pain, calm nausea, ease fatigue, improve sleep, and increase range of motion during cancer treatment. Some people with cancer say that, in addition to helping ease physical symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment, having a massage makes them feel whole again, helps them to relax, promotes a positive body image, and rebuilds hope.
Light, relaxing massage can safely be given to people at all stages of cancer. Our licensed massage therapists are trained to provide comfort and healing at this time. They will consult with the individual to understand their needs and treat the whole body with an expert level of care.
In honor of the women in our life who have battled breast cancer and those women out there fighting today, we stand with you and are donating a portion of our profits to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for appointments booked in October. No one should face breast cancer alone.
To book an appointment or to learn more about our services please call Oasis Massage and Spa at 402.964.2267.
* The study review and analysis is published in the journal, Pain Medicine.
