Massage Therapy for Cancer

Massage therapy is sometimes referred to as therapeutic massage, Swedish massage, myotherapy, neuromuscular therapy, or trigger point massage. All of these terms basically mean the same thing. Massage (by any name) is the manipulation, rubbing, and kneading of the body's muscle and soft tissue to improve the function of those tissues and help with relaxation.

Several studies have proven that massage therapy can decrease stress levels of cancer patients. Massage therapy can also reduce anxiety, pain, depression, and fatigue in cancer patients. Massage is a pleasant and certainly noninvasive complimentary therapy. Massage therapy is not a cure for cancer. It isn't even a treatment for cancer. Massage therapy is used in conjunction with standard and proven cancer treatments like chemotherapy, drug therapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

There are very well-trained massage therapists who give massages to cancer patients under the supervision of physicians, but family members can also be instructed in massage techniques that will help to provide relief to their loved ones who are suffering from cancer.

Massage therapy has been used for many centuries to relieve pain and stiffness, increase mobility, rehabilitate injured muscles, and reduce stress, tension, and anxiety. Massage therapy isn't new, but modern medicine has learned some things about massage that the ancient practitioners didn't know.

For example, massage is now thought to increase the body's production of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals that improve mood and reduce pain. It is also believed now that massage pushes lactic acid out of muscles. Lactic acid is a waste product.

Massage therapy is not for all cancer patients. It is possible for massage pressure on a bone in an area of cancer metastasis to result in a bone fracture, and even a light touch on the treatment area for people who have had radiation can be uncomfortable.