Massage Therapy

Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, stiffness and tension. It can also help to promote health and wellness by reducing stress and fatigue, increasing blood and lymph circulation, reducing blood pressure, stimulating and regulating digestion, boosting the immune system, helping to prevent illness and injury, make connective tissue more fluid, stimulating the skin, increasing vitality, stamina and energy, and providing positive psychological benefits.
Massage can be helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea, fatigue, weight changes or immunosuppression. Touch therapies can make the treatment process easier to tolerate by lessening the severity of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

References:

1. Barrie R. Cassileth, PhD and Andrew J. Vickers, PhD. Integrative Medicine Service (B.R.C., A.J.V.) and Biostatistics Service (A.J.V.) Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA. Massage Therapy for Symptom Control: Outcome Study at a Major Cancer Center. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004:28:244-249.
2. Ferrell-Torry AT, Glick OJ. The use of therapeutic massage as a nursing intervention to modify anxiety and the perception of cancer pain. Cancer Nurs 1993;16(2):93-101.
3. Grealish L, Lomasney A, Whiteman B. Foot massage. A nursing intervention to modify the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea in patients hospitalized with cancer. Cancer Nurs 2000;23(3):237-243
4. Ahles TA, Tope DM, Pinkson B, et al. Massage therapy for patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. J Pain Symptom Manage 1999;18(3):157-163