Is massage safe if I have cancer or I am recovering from cancer?
The answer is yes: Caroline has trained with Christies and is so pleased to be able to deliver effective massage to the highest of standards to those that have cancer and those who are recovering and have recovered. Let’s end the taboo around cancer and massage. You can have a massage as long as the therapist is trained.
Massage is considered a type of complementary therapy. Complementary therapies aim to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of disease. They are used together with conventional or mainstream medicine.
Complementary therapies are not used instead of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical or drug therapy
While massage doesn’t treat the cancer itself, it may reduce the side effects. caused by conventional treatments and improve quality of life and well being
Why do people with cancer use massage ?
As well as improving physical symptoms, some people with cancer say that having a massage:
- Makes them feel whole again
- helps them relax
- makes them more positive about their body
- rebuilds hope
Research shows that massage of muscles and soft tissue does not spread cancer cells.
What are the benefits of massage?
Scientific studies have looked at the effects various body-based practices on people having cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. These studies have shown that massage may reduce:
- pain
- fatigue
- nausea
- anxiety and depression
Individuals who have massage during treatments have reported a range of positive outcomes such as improvements in:
- sleep
- the health of the scar tissue
- quality of life
- mental clarity amd alertness
- the range of movement
Light, relaxing massage can safely be given to people at all stages of cancer.
