This week we have a guest blogger, Melanie Bowen, of the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance who writes about the benefits of massage therapy for people living with a chronic illness. Melanie is an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer treatment alternatives. She highlights the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer and other serious illness. She also assists in social media outreach efforts to spread awareness. Thank you, Melanie, for contributing! Visit her blog.
Warnings and Contraindications
It is recommended to speak with a doctor before beginning massage therapy, especially in cases of recent surgery or treatments with radiation or chemotherapy. Consult your doctor and find a therapy that works best for you and your treat and give your body, mind and spirit the vacation it deserves!
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients
Numerous cancer treatment facilities are now offering massage therapy to patients suffering from cancer as a complementary treatment to radiation or chemotherapy. While massage isn't meant to be a treatment for cancer on its own, it can go a long way toward helping these people relieve many of their cancer symptoms and the side effects of the treatments.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage is the kneading, rubbing and manipulation of the skin and muscles in order to promote health and encourage feelings of relaxation and well-being. The types of massage that people are most familiar with are back or foot rubs, but professional massage therapy is quite similar.
There are many different methods used in massage therapy. Some of the most popular techniques used for people with cancer include Swedish and aromatherapy massage. Deep tissue massage is also commonly used and is good for helping patients deal with limited motion, scar tissue and chronic pain after treatment is finished. However, it is never used or recommended for people who are actively undergoing treatment as this technique can exacerbate discomfort or pain in such cases.
Massage Therapy Benefits
Researchers who have studied the effects of massage on health believe that it provides great psychological and physical benefits. Here are some of the things it can do:
Numerous cancer treatment facilities are now offering massage therapy to patients suffering from cancer as a complementary treatment to radiation or chemotherapy. While massage isn't meant to be a treatment for cancer on its own, it can go a long way toward helping these people relieve many of their cancer symptoms and the side effects of the treatments.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage is the kneading, rubbing and manipulation of the skin and muscles in order to promote health and encourage feelings of relaxation and well-being. The types of massage that people are most familiar with are back or foot rubs, but professional massage therapy is quite similar.
There are many different methods used in massage therapy. Some of the most popular techniques used for people with cancer include Swedish and aromatherapy massage. Deep tissue massage is also commonly used and is good for helping patients deal with limited motion, scar tissue and chronic pain after treatment is finished. However, it is never used or recommended for people who are actively undergoing treatment as this technique can exacerbate discomfort or pain in such cases.
Massage Therapy Benefits
Researchers who have studied the effects of massage on health believe that it provides great psychological and physical benefits. Here are some of the things it can do:
- Reduce inflammation and edema
- Improve the flow of blood throughout the body
- Relieve muscle soreness and stiffness
- Reduce blood levels of cortisol, the stress hormone
- Promote relaxation
- Trigger the release of endorphins to aid pain relief
- Distract patients from their pain and illness
- Break up mucus in the lungs and promote expectoration, which is especially helpful for patients with mesothelioma.
- Reduced feelings of depression
- Less anxiety and stress
- Better sleep quality
- Reduced fatigue
- Pain management
- Better quality of life
Warnings and Contraindications
It is recommended to speak with a doctor before beginning massage therapy, especially in cases of recent surgery or treatments with radiation or chemotherapy. Consult your doctor and find a therapy that works best for you and your treat and give your body, mind and spirit the vacation it deserves!