Top 5 Massage Therapy For Cancer Patients

For people diagnosed with cancer or suffering from chronic pain, mental and physical stimulation to relieve pain and discomfort becomes essential.

One way to offer significant support to cancer patients is through proven massage therapies.

Therapies like Swedish massage, oncology massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, acupressure, and Reiki have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and muscle soreness or pain in cancer patients.

A research estimates that 38 out of 100 people with cancer experience moderate to severe pain, which is more likely to increase with advanced cancer. In contrast, the World Health Organization puts it at 52-77%. 

Therefore, massage therapies targeted to alleviate pain can help deal with pain, stress, nausea (usually from Chemotherapy), and anxiety linked with cancer.

Let’s continue discussing different massage therapies that are helpful for cancer patients.

1. Swedish Massage

Swedish is on the softer side of massage therapies, involving applying light pressure to alleviate muscle pain or stress.

Originally designed to relieve muscle spasms and pain in sportspersons, it has been adopted as a common form of massage and is very useful to cancer patients.

Cancer and chemotherapy often bring significant pain, stress, anxiety, and even depression.

Swedish massage's light tapping, kneading, and flowing strokes help relax muscles and reduce tension by promoting the release of endorphins, which help reduce the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.

Reducing stress hormones helps calm the nervous system and provides a sense of relaxation.

Remember, the frequency of massages will depend on the level of pain and physicians’ recommendations.

2. Oncology Massage

This massage therapy is based on compassion and specialized treatment to help cancer patients.

Remember, it focuses on adapting techniques to suit the physical and emotional needs of cancer patients, considering their specific health concerns and any side effects resulting from cancer treatments.

It uses a light, gentle touch with slow and steady movement, similar to Swedish massage, to help relax your body.

The process usually starts with assessing the patient's health history and current condition to customize the treatment or technique they may need.

These techniques might involve lighter pressure, shorter sessions, and modified positioning to ensure comfort and safety.

One significant benefit most cancer patients report from oncology massage is pain relief and stress reduction for improved sleep.

However, only consult the therapists trained in this field for oncology massage sessions.

3. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a holistic approach that uses essential oils from plants to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

In fact, it can be helpful for people experiencing different forms of nausea and stress during cancer treatment.

Aromatherapy can be administered in different ways, including inhalation, topical application, or diffusers.

The inhalation works by breathing in the aroma of essential oils. On the other hand, the essential oil diluted with carrier oil can be applied to the skin as a skincare routine.

Many believe aromatherapy also carries analgesic properties, helping alleviate pain and discomfort.

Remember to consult with healthcare providers and aromatherapy practitioners before undertaking aromatherapy.

4. Reflexology and Acupressure

Reflexology is an alternative therapy sometimes used by people with cancer.

It aims to stimulate the body's natural healing process by applying pressure to specific points and may help reduce pain and stress.

Similarly, acupressure is similar to reflexology, which applies slight pressure on different points in the body.

An independent study concluded that 68% of patients treated with acupressure for chemotherapy-induced vomiting found symptoms to be reduced after therapy.

Therefore, you can use these alternative methods to reduce pain, stress, and nausea and improve circulation.

Remember, reflexology and acupressure are non-invasive, low-risk complementary therapies that can be used alongside conventional cancer treatments.

Consult with your healthcare provider before starting these therapies.

5. Reiki Therapy

Reiki is a traditional energy healing technique involving transfering healing energy through the practitioner's hands to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

The practitioner places their hands over various parts of a person's body to transfer healing energy, which may last 45-90 minutes.

Although the use of Reiki in cancer patients is open to debate, many have advocated its benefits, including healthcare experts.

Along with promoting relaxation and energetic balance, Reiki provides emotional support by reducing stress and anxiety.

However, cancer patients should seek guidance from healthcare experts before exploring Reiki as part of their alternative treatment plan.

Conclusion

Massage therapies are commonly undertaken to relieve pain and stress and have proven effective for many.

Therefore, people who have cancer or are under treatment can consult with healthcare experts and therapists to find a reliable alternative medicine to deal with pain.

Contact Lemon Massage Therapy to learn more about the best therapy in Des Moines.