There is a lot of confusion both by massage clients and massage therapists about cancer and massage.  I'm going to try to clear up this topic for all of you.

For many years massage students were taught that cancer is a contraindication for massage, meaning that cancer patients should not receive massage.  We know that massage work helps to move fluids around the body and it was thought that this effect could move cancer cells around the body faster, thus making the cancer spread as the result of the massage.

This thinking has changed as we have gained a better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer.  We now know that cancer spreads in many different ways such as through the lymphatic system, through the bloodstream, by spreading through body spaces such as the bronchi or abdominal cavity, implantation, or local invasion.  The typical massage does not greatly alter the body enough to affect these processes.

Now, there are some caveats.  You would not want massage work of any kind right at a tumor or recent surgery site.  In addition, cancer patients are often undergoing aggressive treatments which cause them to be more fragile in some ways:  fragile bones, higher pain level, tendancy for bleeding, and damage to their lymph systems as a result of surgery.  And then there are all the mental/emotional effects of treatment and making treatment choices so clients' thinking can be more hazy, they may need more time to process your communication. Their emotions may be more near the surface so they may release emotions more readily.  All this means massage therapists should get advanced training in working with cancer patients to be sure that they are contributing to their clients' recovery, not to their distress.

Are there benefits?  Wow, the benefits are tremendous.  Cancer treatment can leave a person feeling physically invaded, mentally disjointed, and in emotional turmoil.  Massage can really support a person's journey through all this.  Massage connects body/mind.  It soothes a body that has been through a lot of procedures.  It calms and nurtures in a way that nothing else does.  I have seen cancer patients just fully relax under my first touch for the first time maybe since their ordeal began.

Now here is the thing, we always have said to get the doctor's approval for massage when working with cancer patients, and this still holds true.  The M.D.s have all the inside information about the individual's condition from surgery results to medications and other treatments.  Get their approval first.  Clients:  find a massage therapist with advanced training in working with cancer patients.  Your experience will be much better.  Just ask a few questions before booking the appointment. Massage therapists should not be unhappy that you are asking.  You have a right to the very best care you can find.  

             The hope of daffodils to bloom soon!