When it comes to oncology massage, a phrase I hear all too often is: “Why wasn’t I told about this?”
Over a decade ago I qualified as a hospital trained oncology massage therapist. Within the first 26 people in Australia to be trained at this level. Back then it was all too new, so I understood why patients only tended to stumble across me whilst searching for ways to improve their quality of life during and post their cancer treatment. However, a decade down the track, not much has changed. I do have a few very loyal referrers, including oncologists, surgeons, breast care nurses, lymphoedema physiotherapists and chemotherapy nurses. However, it tends to be when a patient is concerned about an issue that they get referred to me for oncology massage, and by then they have been suffering long enough to start complaining.
The importance of cancer rehabilitation is on the rise. We are seeing this with exercise being incorporated into many integrative cancer centres and lymphoedema treatment and clinics on the rise. However, oncology massage is still lagging behind. I feel that this type of massage is all too often seen as a luxury item, not a necessity and is misunderstood by the wider community. Whether that be the 1980’s go-to phrase of ‘no pain, no gain’ and oncology specialists being wary about too vigorous a treatment causing more harm, or it is seen as a self-indulgent luxury that feels good but doesn’t offer much else.
Oncology Massage offers far greater benefits than just feeling good. And no trained therapist subscribes to the outdated ‘no pain, no gain’ approach. It is time that every cancer patient is aware of the options available to them to help enhance the outcomes, improve their recovery from cancer and increase their quality of life.
Whilst undergoing treatment, oncology massage may be beneficial to help reduce pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, nausea and insomnia. These side effects are common with all treatments. However other side effects are more specific to treatment such as bowel issues with chemotherapy or pain medications, tightening of soft tissue that is in the field of radiation, scar pain from surgery or cording that breast cancer patients suffer from may all benefit from the skilled hands of a qualified massage therapist.
You can book Amy today by booking a callback below this in-depth oncology massage video…
