Persons Living with Cancer
Massage for cancer patients is designed to relax and energize, while reducing discomfort and pain. Benefits include:
- Reduced anxiety
- Eased depression
- Reduced and possible elimination of nausea
- Reduced pain
- Reduced need for medication
- Insomnia relief
- Increased white blood cell count
- Reduced muscle tightness
- Improved immune system
- Less discomforts associated with chemotherapy and radiation
Massage as Part of Your Treatment
Cancer is one of the most dreaded of all illnesses. Each year thousands of new cases are diagnosed. In many instances, cancer treatment usually involves surgery, followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. These treatments, however, often cause pain, depression, anxiety and nausea. It has been discovered that such side effects are effectively reduced by massage. Institutions such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York City, Baptist Regional Cancer Center in Knoxville, TN and Commonweal in Bolinas, CA all use massage as part of their cancer patients' care.
Studies
Several studies such as Cassileth & Vickers (2004), Post-White et al (2003) and Grealish et al (2000) have concluded that massage relieves pain, lowers anxiety, reduces depression and quiets nausea. Swedish researchers have also found that massage subdues nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Oncology massage therapists are trained to use specific techniques and to take into consideration the specific needs and conditions (i.e., platelet count, surgical and radiation sites) of the patient. This will insure client comfort and a positive result. The Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami's School of Medicine conducts hundreds of studies on the positive effects of massage. They have found that massage helps boost a person's immunity— as stress levels drop and mood improves, there is a chain reaction that strengthens the ability of the immune system to resist everything from cancer to the common cold.
So, after much research, it is finally concluded that massage is indeed helpful and can sooth away or reduce the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
Let Us Help
Comfort & Wellness Therapeutic Massage Service provides oncology massage for persons in cancer treatment in a tranquil environment. Give this service a try and join others who have discovered that massage can indeed soothe away your stress, calm your anxiety, and reduce depression and nausea so that you can more easily get through your cancer treatment.
Call Yvonne today to schedule your appointment — (202) 487-3652