It’s Complementary Archives

Fall 2008 – Cancer and Massage

Is massage safe for people with cancer?

In a recent article in Prevention magazine, Dr. Andrew Weil reported that there is a lack of credible evidence to suggest that massage may spread cancer cells around the body, saying that the notion was simply untrue. In fact, says Dr. Weil, there is proof that massage can be helpful in a variety of ways for people who have cancer. He references several studies that show that manipulation of the body’s muscles and other soft tissue can reduce nausea, pain, fatigue and anxiety in people with the disease.

Studies at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center support his conclusions, reporting that clinical trials have shown that massage therapy helps reduce pain, mood disturbance and fatigue in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Studies there have also shown that massage helps to improve sleep and reduce depression in patients with advanced cancer. According to The Mayo Clinic web site, “many cancer centers now have massage therapists on staff.” MD Anderson Cancer Center, for example, offers massage therapy through its Wellness Center. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center offers classes for massage therapists and massage services for patients through its Integrative Medicine Services. The Cancer Center at the University of Michigan offers hand and foot massage for patients getting chemotherapy.

When looking for a massage therapist, it’s important to choose one that has specific training and experience in the special needs of cancer patients. While massage is becoming a recognized benefit for cancer patients, and those with a wide variety of other diseases, there are still precautions that should be taken, particularly for people with cancer.

• Don’t have a massage if your blood counts are low.
• Avoid massage near surgical scars, radiation treatment areas or areas with tumors
• If you have cancer in your bones or other bone diseases, like osteoporosis, ask your therapist to use light pressure rather than deep massage.

For more information about massage therapy, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine web site at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/massage. As always, check with your physician before starting any complementary or alternative medicine therapy.