Oncology Massage - is it Safe?
Maureen Abson - Oncology Massage Instructor
Not only is correctly applied massage for someone with cancer not harmful, it can be incredibly helpful
For many years, having or having had cancer was seen as a contraindication to massage, unless it was end-stage cancer where the benefits of massage have always been recognized.
Even when someone had finished treatment and had been discharged from the care of the oncologist, massage could be denied.
This reserve and misconception is still evident in some of the available publications. For example: “Cancer can spread through the lymphatic system, and because massage increases lymphatic circulation, it may potentially spread the disease as well.”
A number of spas and clinics will still not massage people who have, or have a history of, cancer.
However, this is a view not now supported by the main cancer bodies and support groups.
Current Advice
The organization Cancer Research UK says “Some people worry that having a massage when you have cancer may make the cancer cells travel to other parts of the body. No research has proved this to be true.”
Macmillan Cancer Support says something very similar: “Some people worry that massage could cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of their body, but research has not found any evidence of this.”
Massage Today magazine states “Most massage therapy schools taught that cancer was a contraindication for massage. The two main concerns of how massage therapy could spread cancer involved its effects on circulation and the cancerous tumors. Research continues to dispute the original concerns that massage therapy can spread cancer. The support to dispute this myth grows each year through credible experts and numerous studies.”
The Cancer Council of New South Wales explains this further: “Cancer may spread (metastasize) into the lymphatic system via the lymph nodes, or it may start in the lymphatic system itself. However, the circulation of lymph – from massage or other movement – does not cause cancer to spread. Researchers have shown that cancer develops and spreads because of changes to a cell’s DNA (genetic mutations) and other processes in the body.”
Not only is correctly applied massage for someone with cancer not harmful, it can be incredibly helpful.
Anxiety and Stress
Having a diagnosis of cancer is for most people a traumatic and isolating time. They may feel that they have no control over their body, that their body has let them down, and despite the very caring and careful work by oncology units, cancer treatments are “given” or “done to” the body.
High-tech and potent medical treatments can dominate life, while the worry about the outcome of both the disease and the treatments can take over the mind and cause extreme stress and anxiety.
Massage can provide a profoundly therapeutic touch during this time. The Cancer Council of New South Wales reports that receiving massage during cancer can have real positive benefits, including making the person feel “whole again.” It allows people to share feelings in an informal setting. It can help people feel more positive about their body and rebuild hope.
Benefits of Massage
A large American study looked at the effects of massage therapy on almost 1300 individuals with cancer over a three-year period. People in hospital had a 20-minute massage, and others treated as outpatients had a 60-minute massage session.
The study found that, overall, massage therapy reduced pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. The benefits lasted longer in the patients who had the 60-minute session.
Summary
Many health care professionals recognize massage to be a useful noninvasive addition to standard medical treatments.
Therapeutic massage is most often given by trained massage therapists, although caregivers can also be trained in safe massage techniques.
Links
About NAT Courses
As a manual therapist or exercise professional, there is only one way to expand your business - education!
Learning more skills increases the services that you offer and provides more opportunity for specialization.
Every NAT course is designed to build on what you already know, to empower you to treat more clients and grow your practice, with a minimal investment in time and money.
Help Desk
About Niel Asher Education
Niel Asher Education is a leading provider of distance learning and continued education courses.
Established in the United Kingdom in 1999, we provide course and distance learning material for therapists and other healthcare professionals in over 40 countries.
Our courses are accredited by over 90 professional associations and national accreditation institutions including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Full details of all international course accreditations can be found on our website.
Printed course materials and other products offered on our websites are despatched worldwide from our 3 locations in the UK (London), USA (Pennsylvania) and Australia (Melbourne).
More About Us
NAMTPT AWARD 2017
We are honored to have received the 2017 "Excellence in Education" Award from the National Association of Myofascial Trigger Point Therapists.
Since 1999 Niel Asher Education has won numerous awards for education and in particular for education and services provided in the field of trigger point therapy.
Read Full Article
Award Winning Instructors
Niel Asher Healthcare course instructors have won a host of prestigious awards including 2 lifetime achievement honorees - Stuart Hinds, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, AAMT, 2015, and Dr. Jonathan Kuttner, MD, Lifetime Achievement Honoree, NAMTPT, 2014.
Meet the Instructors
Accreditation
If you are a qualified/licensed manual therapist or exercise/fitness professional you can expand your credentials with NAT certification.
In addition to national accreditation for continued education, each course that we offer includes "NAT Learning Credits". By taking and completing courses you can accumulate NAT credits to qualify for NAT certification.
There are currently 3 levels of NAT certification. Certifying NAT is a valuable way to show your clients that you take continued education seriously, and to promote your skills and qualifications.
Most of our courses are accredited for CE/CPD/CPE. A full list of CE accreditations can be found by clicking on the link below.
About NAT Certification
Niel Asher Technique
Since 1999 the Niel Asher Technique for treating trigger points has been adopted by over 100,000 therapists worldwide, and has been applied to the treatment of a number of common musculoskeletal injuries.
The Niel Asher Technique for treating frozen shoulder was first introduced and published in 1997 and has been widely adopted by therapists and exercise professionals working within elite sports and athletics.
Read More
International Students
Most of our courses are available as either "Printed" or 'Download" editions, wherever you live. Internet connection is required to access online and downloadable material.
When you purchase a download edition, you receive immediate lifetime access to all course material. Course texts can be downloaded and printed if required.
When you purchase a "Printed" edition, you will also receive free access to the download edition.
We ship Worldwide from locations in the USA, UK, and Australia. Most items are despatched within 24 hours and shipping is FREE for all orders over US$50.
Shipping
Where to Start?
We offer a range of over 50 courses, presented by some of the worlds leading manual therapists. All courses are reviewed annually, and new courses are regularly added.
Our courses are modular, and designed to build on what you already know. For more information, please visit our "Where to Start?" page.
Start Here
NAT Oncology Massage Course
The Gold Standard in Continuing Education and Online Training
Massage Therapy, Sports Massage, Strength and Conditioning, Stretching, Mobilisation and Manipulation, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, IMS Dry Needling, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Trigger Point Therapy, IASTM, Resistance Training, Bowen Therapy, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, Podiatry, Oncology Massage, Sports Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Somatic Therapy, Prenatal Bodywork and Massage, Anatomy, Biomechanics, Clinical Reasoning, Pilates, and Yoga.
Multi-column
Continuing Education
Great courses at inflation-busting prices. You won't find better value anywhere.
NAT Diploma Courses
NAT Self-Paced Diploma courses are designed to help you boost your career.
Membership
Get unlimited access to all online CE/CPD courses, live events, webinars and more.
Best Selling Therapy Tools
Ask a Health Question or Start a Conversation
