By Larry Joyner, LMT
Oncology Massage Therapist
The Power of Compassionate Touch is for everyone. People dealing with cancer have the greatest need of touch, warmth and a sense of wellbeing which can be accomplished through the art of massage. Those battling cancer need and deserve all the support and comfort that we as therapists can offer. Massage Therapists have a special gift. We are able to make people feel better and relaxed by touch.
Being certified in Oncology Massage, one understands how the disease and treatments affect the body. My heart was leading me to help those fighting cancer and I wanted to combine my massage training and healing-energy therapy to help clients going through this difficult time. In my five years of practice I have used healing energy work, along with massage, on my clients and have seen the benefits both can accomplish.
Massage in Combination with Traditional Treatments
In traditional massage training, therapists are taught not to work on people with illness or disease. However, these are the people who might need it the most. A Massage Therapist who has received special training in Oncology Massage understands the disease and the side-effects. There are many different treatments for cancer, such as medication, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Patients can benefit from healing energy work and massage while going through this journey. An Oncology Massage Therapist is able to adjust the techniques they have learned to give the client the best outcome. Through clinical assessment, the therapist can adjust each session so the patient receives a safe massage. Also, the therapist can gather additional data by observing the patient, to best map out a plan for future sessions.
All clients are required to fill out an intake form when coming for a massage. Here are a few key points on the form that the therapist needs to know:
Cancer treatment history
Medications
Tumor Sites/ Metastasis
Any lymph nodes compromised
Surgeries
Blood Clots
Fatigue
The therapist must understand that a cancer patient’s immune system is already compromised. The massage can be altered to provide the greatest relief for patients, as brief as that relief may be. With oncology massage training, one could, in fact, help almost anyone. This extra training will give you a new insight into the world of massage. When the body is calm and relaxed, pain seems to affect the patient less.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
Based on the type of treatments the patient is undergoing at the time, the therapist can dictate the type of session they can offer. With some radiation treatments, you may have to wait up to two weeks to give a massage because the patient is considered ‘hot’. You might want to have the patient meet with you before they start radiation so can become comfortable with each other and you can observe the patient before and after radiation treatment.
One of the most common treatments for cancer is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy affects the large intestine, compromising the digestive system, which makes the body less able to absorb the proper nutrients. Lack of nutrients can cause fatigue, stress and depression. Oncology massage can help provide relief for the patient during these treatments.
Massage Reduces Side Effects
Providing a massage before, during and after a patient’s treatment has proven to reduce the side effects for most patients. Sometimes just a gentle massage of the feet while the patient is getting chemotherapy or even simply laying of the hands on the patient may reduce the nausea caused by the treatment. Oncology massage helps patients feel more relaxed, which allows them to sleep better, which in turn helps to rejuvenate the body.
The benefits of any massage include reducing stress, increasing relaxation, and allowing the body to heal. For a cancer patient, a massage session offers time to focus on just them. The only touch many patients experience is clinical touch as they’re examined by doctors and nurses. They also need the human compassionate touch that an oncology massage therapist can give them. This will aid in the healing process. Even just working on the patient’s feet can give great comfort.
Massage and Qigong
I combine my massage training with holistic therapies such as Qigong Healing which is an energy-force therapy. This helps rebuild and boosts the immune system which in turn makes the whole body stronger to meet the challenges it’s facing. I have seen amazing results when I incorporate Qigong Healing with my oncology massage sessions.
Little did I know that I would be exploring these elements with my mom. She had a short bout with Sarcoma Ovarian Cancer and passed away last November. She dealt with a great deal of pain and discomfort toward the end. The relief and comfort I was able to provide to her was very heartwarming to her and for me. If we as therapists can provide an hour or more of relief for these brave patients, then it’s all worth it.
Please seek out the training needed to become an Oncology Massage Therapist and don’t be afraid of the challenge. The emotional rewards both you and the patient receive cannot be put into words. Namaste.
Larry R Joyner, LMT, NCMTMB, completed oncology training with Tracy Walton, Caring for Clients with Cancer. He also is a Reiki Practitioner, and is First Aid and CPR/AED Certified. He is a member of AMTA and ABMP, the International Reiki Association and the Society for Oncology Massage. Larry is the owner of the Center for Massage & Holistic Therapy, where he works with a team of Connecticut licensed and nationally certified massage therapists with combined experience of more than 20 years. All therapists are members in good standing with the AMTA or ABMP Professional Massage Therapy Associations. The Center for Massage & Holistic Therapy is located at 2049 Silas Deane Highway,Suite 202, Rocky Hill, CT – www.tcfmht.com – 860-721-0249.