Massage For Cancer

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Article Title:

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Massage For Cancer

Article Description:

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People with cancer are often looking for safe, effective healing

therapies to include in their treatment regimen that will

heighten their chances of a full recovery. Massage therapy is one

such technique that has shown many beneficial effects and can be

used safely by cancer patients.

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590 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2008-02-12 11:12:00

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Copyright: 2008

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Massage For Cancer

Copyright © 2008

Natural Island

http://www.naturalislands.net

People with cancer are often looking for safe, effective healing

therapies to include in their treatment regimen that will

heighten their chances of a full recovery. Massage therapy is one

such technique that has shown many beneficial effects and can be

used safely by cancer patients.

According to the American Cancer Society, massage is " thought

almost universally to be a beneficial therapy. It is helpful not

only physically but emotionally as it soothes the soul and the

mind. " Massage cannot cure cancer, but it has been shown in

several studies to improve quality of life and well-being.

An observational study (not a clinical trial) was conducted at

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City that

evaluated changes in symptom scores for pain, fatigue, stress and

anxiety, nausea, and depression in cancer patients. The study of

over twelve hundred cancer patients being treated by licensed

massage therapists utilized various techniques such as Swedish,

light touch, and foot massage. Scores revealed that symptoms,

although not permanent, were reduced by about 50 percent.

Massage therapy is a safe type of therapy to receive with cancer,

however important considerations need to be undertaken when

giving or receiving treatment. Massage is not recommended

immediately following surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy

and over areas of known tumors. Patients with circulatory

ailments such as phlebitis or varicose veins should avoid

massage. Massage should never be performed on bruises, areas of

tissue damage and inflamed or infected sites.

What does massage therapy involve? Massage therapists

rhythmically rub and knead the body's soft tissues for

therapeutic purposes. Several different types of massage have

developed over time in different cultures. These include Swedish

massage (most common in the U.S.), Oriental massage, shiatsu and

Thai massage. Massages usually occur in a warm, comfortable room

and last from thirty minutes to one hour.

Snapshot Of Massage Therapy Techniques

* In swedish massage, the therapist uses long strokes, kneading,

and friction on the muscles and moves the joints to aid

flexibility.

* A therapist giving a deep tissue massage uses patterns of

strokes and deep finger pressure on parts of the body where

muscles are tight or knotted, focusing on layers of muscle deep

under the skin.

* In trigger point massage (also called pressure point massage),

the therapist uses a variety of strokes but applies deeper, more

focused pressure on myofascial trigger points, " knots " that can

form in the muscles, are painful when pressed, and cause symptoms

elsewhere in the body as well.

* In shiatsu massage, the therapist applies varying, rhythmic

pressure from the fingers on parts of the body that are believed

to be important for the flow of a vital energy called Qi in

traditional Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force

proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental,

and physical health and to be influenced by the opposing forces

of yin and yang.

Massage therapy is thought to promote wellness and optimize

overall health by promoting muscle relaxation and stress

reduction as well as relieve headaches, backaches, joint pain,

stiffness and insomnia. As muscles are rubbed, blood vessels

dilate, blood flow increases, lymph circulation is stimulated,

oxygen supply increases and overall circulation throughout the

body is improved. Patients fighting serious diseases such as

cancer find massage promotes relaxation, improves quality of life

and enhances well-being.

References

Corbin, L, Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients

with cancer. Cancer Control. 2005 Jul;12(3):158-64. S.M. Sagar,

MD, T. Dryden, MEd RMT, and R.K. Wong, MD, Massage therapy for

cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and

mind. Curr Oncol. 2007 April; 14(2): 45–56.

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is passionate about natural living and is a regular

contributor to Natural Islands Journal, a holistic and natural

health magazine that covers a variety of healing modalities

for improving health and preventing disease. For a full range

of books, videos and downloadable guides on natural healing,

visit http://www.naturalislands.net