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oncology massage

 
 
 

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE

Supporting Your Journey

Oncology massage is the modification of massage techniques in order to safely work with effects of cancer and cancer treatment, and includes people in active treatment, those in recovery or survivorship, as well as those at the end of life.

Essential aspects of an oncology therapist skill set are an informed understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer; the side effects of cancer treatments, such as medications, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation; and the ability to modify massage techniques in order to adapt for these side effects, as well as for the disease.

Many of the body's responses to cancer and cancer treatment require changes to massage treatment plans. Training in the specifics of cancer and cancer treatment enables an Oncology therapist to know what to do, when to it and why its important. Your Oncology Therapist works alongside your heath care team to support you, and aid in easing your cancer journey.

To be trained in Oncology Massage, therapists have completed comprehensive training in therapeutic massage (2200 hours) as well as additional specific training that addresses the side effects of cancer and its various treatments.

Even after patients are out of treatment, receiving massage from an oncology trained clinician is important for rehabilitation, and due to the potential for the late effects of cancer.

Therapeutic massage during and after cancer treatment:

Oncology massage does not try to “fix” anything, and unlike many massage modalities is not a series of techniques or applied protocols. Rather, it is the ability to recognize and safely work within clinically established guidelines, given a client’s unique circumstance.

Clinical research supports the use of massage in reducing pain and anxiety. Patient reported massage benefits additionally include improved sleep, decreased sense of isolation, enhanced body image, and increased feelings of well-being.

Each of the following common cancer-related conditions (and others) require important adjustments be made. Some of those conditions include:

  • Anemia (low red blood count)

  • Anticoagulant Therapy

  • Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)

  • Bone Metastasis (spread of cancer to bones)

  • Breast Expander or Implant

  • Chemotherapy

  • Colostomy / Iliostomy / Jejunostomy / Urostomy

  • Constipation

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis

  • Edema

  • Foley Catheter

  • Immunosupression (immune compromised)

  • Incision

  • IV

  • Leukopenia (low white blood count)

  • Lymphedema

  • Lymph Node Enlargement

  • Lymph Node Removal

  • Lymph Node Irradiation

  • PEG or PEJ Tube

  • PICC line or Port

  • Radiation Skin Reaction

  • Radioactive Implant

  • Radioactive Iodine

  • Risk of Lymphedema

  • Skin Eruption

  • Surgical Adhesions

  • Surgical Scarring

  • Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)

  • Tumor

  • Upcoming Radiation

A properly trained therapist will ask questions about these issues and more, depending on your unique situation. Many of the changes that will be made to your session will be virtually imperceptible to you as a recipient (and others may be quite obvious), but they are essential to safety and proper support of your well being through oncology massage.

Assessments

Standard oncology massage intake questions include those pertaining to:

  • cancer treatment history

  • tumor site or metastasis

  • compromised blood cell counts

  • lymph node involvement

  • blood clots or blood clot risk

  • medications short and long term

  • vital organ involvement

Guidelines:

Clinical assessments and adaptations to the massage session for someone affected by cancer are critical to providing a safe massage.

For people in active treatment, recently into recovery, or at end of life, these clinical considerations can and do regularly change.

Massage modifications as a result of positioning, pressure, pace or site considerations related to concerns like medical devices, side effects of drug treatments, surgery or radiation, compromised lymph nodes or blood cell counts, and other concerns, may apply, and are unique for each person.

More Information : Society for Oncology Massage