Possible Massage Therapy Benefits for Individuals with Cancer and Recovery
Background by Suzanne Melcher Thompson, MA, LRT/CTRS, LMBT
“Journal of Pain and Symptom Management” (Sept. 2004) stated massage of 1,290 patients who received Swedish, light touch, or foot massage showed the following promising results:
- Decreased Pain
- Decreased Fatigue
- Decreased Anxiety
- Decreased Nausea
- Decreased Depression
“Cancer Control” (July 2005) Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer concluded conventional care for patients with cancer can safely incorporate massage therapy:
- Stress and Anxiety Reduction
- Pain Reduction
“Curr Pain Headache Rep.” (August 2006) Massage Therapy for cancer pain. Small studies, but are promising. Stated patients that receive massage have:
- Less Procedural Pain
- Less Nausea
- Less Anxiety
- Report Improved Quality of Life
“Journal of Nursing Management” (March 2006) Use of reflexology foot massage to reduce anxiety in hospitalized cancer patients in chemotherapy treatment: methodology and outcomes. Concluded that massage therapy reflexology can be used as a support treatment for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy:
- Feel Better
- Cope Better with their disease
“Touch Therapy” (2000), by Tiffany Field. “Massage Therapy for Breast Cancer”. Study showed small sample of 20 women with the following results:
- Reduced Anxiety
- Reduced Depressed Mood
- Increase in immune functioning
“Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America” (2006 Elservier) Primer on Integrative Oncology. Study showed:
- May be effective in stress reduction
- Massage therapy should not represent a significant risk and may be offered to patients who have cancer except for those who have conditions such as an increased risk of bleeding or bone metastases.