Presented by Rose Adams, Oncology Massage Therapist and Educator

Precautions Types of appropriate massage for people living with cancer Benefits of massage for oncology patients What does the Research say?

 Massaging the site of a tumor is contraindicated  Deep massage, which is known to create an inflammatory response is contraindicated  Alertness to side effects of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation such as low blood counts  Knowing a person’s risk for lymphedema Requires awareness of needed adaptations Minimal adaptation in technique needed  Acupressure  Ayurvedic massage  Bowen technique  Fascial release technique  Compassionate touch  Lomilomi  Lymph drainage  Craniosacral therapy  Neuromuscular therapy  Healing touch  Seated chair massage  Jin Shin Jyutsu  Shiatsu  Polarity Therapy  Swedish massage  Reflexology  Trigger point therapy  Reiki  Zero balancing  Therapeutic Touch  anxiety, pain, nausea, fatigue and depression  relaxation and a sense of well- being  muscle tension and sense of isolation

“Anxiety reduction is of clear clinical relevance to cancer patients, from the initial acute adjustment of receiving a cancer diagnosis; to the stress of awaiting further diagnostic test results; to anticipatory and concurrent anxiety in relation to treatment, side effects, and disruption of normal life and role functioning; to the prospect of facing real or potential disease recurrence.” Stark, Kiely Smith et al, 2002  “Massage therapy  Improved sleep significantly reduced following massage, cancer pain compared often reported by with no massage patients, can lead to treatment/conventional better pain control, care..esp for surgery Myers, 2008 related pain” Lee, et  “I looked forward to the massages I al, 2015 received while in ICU- each helped to reduce the pain” Cancer patient in ICU. Adams, et al 2010

 Fatigue is a universal problem for cancer pts, often a primary cause of distress. Holley, 2000 Self administered acupressure per arm at P6 point each Anecdotal evidence morning and as needed during is compelling. the day, Dibble et al, 2007 More research Results: decreased delayed needed nausea and vomiting Science defines life in its own way, but life is larger than science. Holy things happen that can’t be explained or measured – but only witnessed. --Rachel Naomi Remen, from Grace in Practice: Clinical Applications for Graceful Passages

 Adams, White, Beckett: Effects of Massage Therapy on Pain Management in the Acute Care Setting, International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, Spring, 2009  Collinge, MacDonald ,Walton: Massage in Supportive Cancer Care, Seminars in Oncology Nursing, V28 (1) Feb, 2012  Lee, Kim, Yeo, et al: Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy and Cancer Pain, Integrative Cancer Therapies, V14 (4), 2015  MacDonald, G. Medicine hands: massage therapy for people with cancer. Findhorn Press 1999 (revised edition 2007)  Myers, Walton, Small: The Value of Massage Therapy in Cancer Care ,Hematology/Oncology Clinic N Am 22, 2008