Oncology Massage in Palmview

Medical Research

Research has shown Oncology Massage improves the quality of life for people with a history or diagnosis of cancer.  It reduces the side effects experienced from conventional treatment of cancer and the symptoms of the disease process itself (Cassileth and Vickers, 2004)

• Pain Improved 47%
• Fatigue Improved 42%
• Anxiety Improved 59%
• Nausea Improved 51%
• Depression Improved 48%
• Other (including shortness of breath, memory problems, dry mouth or disturbed sleep) improved 48%

How does it work? The Science of Oncology Massage…

For people used to deep tissue massage it is natural to question how Oncology Massage works, when it is gentle. When people hear “massage” they think of vigorous, deep, soft tissue manipulations. Oncology Massage is the opposite – it is slow, gentle and safe, mindful touch. It is also very effective. 

Here are a few reasons why it is so effective:

• Mechanoreceptors are sensory neurons that respond to mechanical stimuli such as touch and movement, and are located within joint capsular tissues, ligaments, tendons, muscle, fascia and skin. Fascia is a fine connective tissue matrix surrounding every tissue in the body including bones, muscles, and organs. There are several types of mechanoreceptors that respond to different forms of touch and movement. Deep tissue and vigorous massage techniques are not suitable for a cancer patient. In oncology massage we only use gentle and slow massage strokes. Of all the mechanoreceptors, the interstitial receptors are the most abundant, and they are located abundantly within the fascia. Half of the interstitial nerve receptors respond to gentle touch. The interstitial mechanoreceptors are linked with the autonomic nervous system. This means that when stimulated with gentle touch they send a signal to the autonomic nervous system, stimulating the parasympathetic branch of this system – causing the ‘relaxation response’. Tension and pain in muscles will therefore be reduced and the relaxation response can also relieve general pain in the body.
• Oncology Massage is deeply relaxing because of the gentle and slow strokes. The pace of the massage causes the mind to slow down and the client will often feel more present awareness and calm because of this.
• Beneficial neurohormones may be released during massage, including endorphins which can reduce pain in the body (and more research needs to be done on this). Clients often report a feeling of well-being and reduction or cessation of pain. Endorphins use the same receptor sites as opioids – having a morphine like effect on the body. Serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin may also be released as some research has suggested, and many clients report feeling less anxious or less depressed as a result of regular massages.
• Epigenetics: Every cell in your body has a cell membrane, this cell membrane dictates what enters and leaves the cell. The cell surface receptors interact with the interstitial fluid (the fluid surrounding cells in your body). The interstitial fluid is comprised of water, proteins, nutrients, hormones, which are affected by such things as environmental toxins, what we eat and also what we think and feel because the mind and body are linked – your thoughts literally change your chemistry as they can cause neurohormones to be released. Eating well, reducing stress, and minimising toxins can help to create a healthy environment (interstitial fluid) for the cell which in turn effects which cell surface receptors are activated and therefore what enters and leaves the cell. Experiencing “happy” hormones or “molecules of emotion” such as anandamide, serotonin and endorphins will likely effect the health of a cell positively, as the “good stuff” is let into the cell. How does this relate to massage? Because massage causes the relaxation response which can encourage these beneficial neurohormones. These hormones have a natural analgesic (pain-reduction) effect on your body.
• In various medical research studies massage has been shown to be effective for side-effects of cancer and cancer treatment such as: pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue and nausea.

Lymphatic Drainage – Does it differ to Oncology Massage?

For information on lymphoedema, including treatment please see: The Australasian Lymphology Association. Oncology Massage is not to be confused with Manual Lymphatic Drainage. For cancer patients experiencing oedema or lymphoedema, first you should seek help from a suitably qualified professional in this area. Once your oedema or lymphoedema is being treated then you may also have an Oncology Massage. Oncology Massage therapists work with clients with these conditions, however it is important that you are seeking treatment and managing your lymphoedema.  I have undertaken Lymphatic Drainage massage in my studies and understand how it works, and have practised it at times, however I do not specialise in this. In regards to Oncology Massage, I work in a safe way to ensure your lymphoedema or oedema is not worsened from massage treatment. For those clients free of lymphoedema, who have a damaged lymphatic system (e.g. radiated lymph nodes, or lymph nodes surgically removed), I work in a safe way to ensure you are not put at risk for developing lymphoedema due to massage. Oncology Massage therapists are trained in such a way to eliminate that risk. This is one of the many reasons why a person with cancer (or history of cancer) needs to see a qualified Oncology Massage Therapist. 

Research Articles

• Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer centre. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004 Sep; 28 (3): 244–9. 1290 cancer patients took part in this research, over a three year period, which showed improvement across many side-effects by approximately 50% for most side-effects of cancer treatment with out-patients experiencing 10% higher improvement compared to in-patients: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15336336
• Stringer J et al. Massage in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy reduces serum cortisol and prolactin. Psycho-Oncology 2008 Oct; 17 (10): 1024–31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18300336
• Fellowes D, Barnes K, Wilkinson SSM. Aromatherapy and massage for symptoms relief in patients with cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Iss 4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15106172
• Wilkinson SM et al. Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2007, Feb. Aromatherapy massage on cancer patients had positive outcomes for depression and anxiety short-term: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17290062
• Greenlee H et al. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA Cancer J Clin 2017. Massage therapy, in addition to meditation, relaxation, yoga and music therapy, is recommended for depression/mood disorders in cancer patients: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28436999
• Kinkead B et al. Massage therapy decreases cancer-related fatigue: Results from a randomized early phase trial. American Cancer Society. 2018 Feb. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29044466
• Seyedreza Mazlum et al. The effect of massage therapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in pediatric cancer. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 2013 Jul-Aug. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3872861/
• Morhenn V, Beavin LE, Zak PJ. Oxytocin Research Massage increases oxytocin and reduces adrenocorticotropin hormone in humans. Alternative therapies in health and medicine Journal 2012 Nov-Dec: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23251939
• Field T et al. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. The International Journal of Neuroscience 2005 Oct. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16162447
• Boehm, K et al. Aromatherapy as an Adjuvant Treatment in Cancer Care — A Descriptive Systematic Review. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines. 2012 Jul. Aromatherapy/essential oils may be used safely by cancer patients for a short-term benefit in regard to reducing anxiety and depression symptoms and to increase sleep patterns and wellbeing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746639/
• Zorba P, Ozdemir L. The Preliminary Effects of Massage and Inhalation Aromatherapy on Chemotherapy-Induced Acute Nausea and Vomiting: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial. Cancer Nursing 2018 Sep/Oct. In this pilot trial (75 patients), massage therapy and aromatherapy (inhalation of essential oils) helped management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting compared to the control groups: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28426542