What is Oncology Massage?
Oncology massage is a very specialized form of massage. It takes a highly skilled therapist who has gone through extensive, advanced training in this area to deliver a safe and effective individual massage, tailored for a person with cancer or a person who has survived cancer.
Overall, regular, Swedish massage offers the right conditions through relaxation for the body’s natural healing mechanisms to kick in. It puts the body into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is nicknamed “rest and digest.” Lots of wonderful hormones and chemicals are released during this time that aids in boosting immunity and essentially healing for the body. This is opposite of what happens during times of stress and illness. But often, a regular Swedish massage might be too deep, or too fast, or practiced by a therapist who does not understand the special precautions that might need to be taken for someone with cancer.
When a person is in treatment for cancer, many changes are happening in the body, often compromising changes, and special measures need to be taken during a massage to create the right conditions for optimal relaxation and healing. Treatment can weaken the body, it can cause difficult side effects, weaken bones, create sensitivities in the hands and feet, it can inhibit sleep, stimulate pain and nausea – only naming a few experiences a person can have. Along with physical side effects, there are emotional ones too – depression, fear, loneliness, even isolation. Studies have shown that massage can help with many of these side effects, and even help a person to cope and find a sense of relief and peace in their body. It can help a person’s outlook and even help to better cope with the illness. But even when one has survived cancer and reached remission, the body might be left in a different state and the need for specialized care and modification is usually necessary at that time too.
Oncology massage takes into consideration all of these factors and uses special pressure, bolstering, speed, rhythm, technique, even avoidance of certain areas of the body if necessary. The therapist takes an extensive health history, asks specific questions about treatment and assesses to create the perfect and safe massage for her client. Oncology massage takes into consideration the complications that cancer can bring so that a client can feel safe and comfortable with a therapist who understands any precautions that might need to be made. Clients can leave the massage feeling relaxed, renewed, and completely nurtured by a therapist who balances her knowing practice with compassion.
Client Health History Form
To ensure the best care we ask our clients to fill out this health history form prior to their first appointment.
Massage Services Offered
I can provide a wide array of massage services including:
