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Oncology massage is an approach to massage therapy based in both compassion and specialized massage treatments to help people manage their experience with cancer. Review of the scientific literature indicates oncology massage helps improve quality of life.

Gentle massage is tolerated by most people with cancer, and is sufficient to release "endorphins," the "feel good" chemicals released by the brain that can reduce pain. For those who have muscle tightness and stiffness, stronger methods of massage, such as Swedish massage, may be needed.

A massage therapist who is trained to work with cancer patients will ask about your diagnosis, treatments, diagnostic tests, blood values, symptoms, activity level and any restrictions you may have. Oncology massage is safe and effective at helping people feel better during challenging times.

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body (brachytherapy).

There is no scientific evidence that massage can treat cancer. But it is commonly used to help people feel better, and to reduce some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Trials have been carried out to find out whether massage can help people with cancer but many are small studies.

Massage therapists have been advised that deep massage should be avoided in fields of radiation, since the skin may be fragile and the underlying tissue may turn out to be fibrotic or oedematous.

While there are massage contraindica- tions for patients with cancer, they are not based on the fear of increasing blood or lymph flow. Instead, they are specific contraindications based on specific cancer presentations.

Best-Paying States for Massage Therapists The states and districts that pay Massage Therapists the highest mean salary are Alaska ($82,280), Oregon ($64,360), Washington ($62,520), Hawaii ($61,750), and Massachusetts ($53,750).

Many scientific studies have shown that oncology massage is effective in reducing symptoms such as stress, pain, anxiety, depression, nausea and fatigue in people who have had chemotherapy or surgery for cancer. Massage may be available in some hospitals and palliative care units.

Massage therapy is a type of treatment in which a trained and certified medical professional manipulates the soft tissues of your body muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin using varying degrees of pressure and movement.