​What is Oncology Massage?

• ​
  

What to expect during an Oncology Massage Treatment

Yes, an oncology trained therapist has completed comprehensive training in general massage therapy as well as additional specialized training that addresses the side effects of cancer or its various treatments. Even after people are out of treatment, receiving bodywork from an oncology therapist is important due to the potential for late effects of treatment. An oncology massage therapist will adapt massage techniques to safely meet the changing bodywork considerations during and after cancer treatment.

Massage Adaptations Are Required for:

​​

* Low blood cell counts

* Blood clots

* Bone metastases

* Radiation or surgery

* Fatigue

* Bone pain

* Removal of lymph nodes

* Lymphedema

* Peripheral neuropathy

* Medications

* Medical devices

* Late effects of treatment

Is Massage safe and therapeutic during and after cancer treatment?

Oncology Massage Benefits

* ​Reduced pain & fatigue  

* Decreased anxiety

* Less nausea

* Improved sleep

*  Eased isolation

* Enhanced body image

* Greater sense of well-being

Oncology massage is the adaptation of massage techniques to safely nurture the body of someone affected by cancer or its treatments and includes people in active treatment, those in recovery or survivorship, as well as those at the end of life.

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 of the therapist 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 .