Cancer Massage

Cancer massage is a form of complementary therapy specially designed for cancer patients with the aim of relieving their physical discomfort or improving their psychological well-being. It may involve stroking, kneading, tapping or pressing the muscles and soft tissues of the body, using varying intensity, direction, rate and rhythm. A massage therapist can treat your whole body, or focus on a specific part, such as your head, neck, shoulder or back.

Cancer massage helps reduce physical, psycho-social and emotional symptoms, including:

A cancer massage therapist should have oncology massage training to work with cancer patients and survivors. The therapy is usually customised to meet the unique and changing needs of a particular individual.

During cancer massage, it is important to avoid massage to:

• Tumour(s) or lymph node(s) (i.e. glands) affected by cancer
• Areas being treated with radiotherapy, which are often complicated with pain and infection
• Areas that are bruised or sensitive
• Areas close to intravenous catheters and pain relief patches
• Open wounds

Additionally, massage should be avoided if:

• Cancer has spread to your bones
• If you have a low platelet count

Your cancer massage therapist will ask you and the medical team appropriate questions in order to make safe adjustments to the massage.

• Head, neck & shoulders

• Hands