Is 건마 Massage Therapy an Appropriate Cancer Therapy?

Cancer treatment usually includes complex medical intervention, but there is also a place for 건마 massage therapy in the treatment plan. Whether it is used to address pain or nausea, to give relaxation and comfort, or even to boost the immune system, incorporating massage therapy into cancer treatment can give the person suffering from cancer additional help in the fight against this disease.

How Massage is Used in Cancer Treatment

Massage for cancer patients, or oncology massage, is rapidly gaining a following. As massage builds growing scientific evidence for its provision of measurable health benefits, many people with cancer are seeking massage therapy in addition to standard cancer treatment. Before working on any client, however, it is important to be sure that massage therapy for the cancer patient has been approved by his or her physician.

Massage therapy for cancer patients isn’t a “one treatment fits all” affair. Many people with cancer look fit and healthy, while others may be weak or in pain. Some patients are approaching the end of their lives, while others are expecting to make a full recovery. Because of this, it is important to work out a plan for the massage therapy for the cancer patient that is even more individualized than a therapist might develop for healthier patients. It is also important to ask the client at each session if anything has changed, and to stay attuned to his or her need for less touch, more touch, or a change in therapeutic treatment.

Massage Benefits for Cancer Patients

Oftentimes, cancer and cancer treatments can cause pain and nausea. Massage for cancer patients has been shown to help reduce pain as well as to help reduce nausea levels. The therapy also boosts serotonin levels, which can help with the higher rates of depression common in cancer patients.

In addition to the illness itself, cancer often robs people of their sense of control and can contribute to a negative body image. Regular oncology massage for people with cancer has been shown to give them a treatment to look forward to, as well as an experience that can help improve body image and outlook. While cancer cannot be treated through massage therapy alone, regular massage can help to reduce the side effects of treating the disease in many clients.