Massage bad for bc?

fred009

I went last night for a massage and I told the therapist I had bc.  She had already started my massage  so she continued. She said that massage is not OK for people with cancer.  She said she had been taught that massage can possibly move cancer cells throughout the body.  Has anyone else heard this?  I have a call in to my onc to ask but probably won't hear back till next week.   

mixin

When I was being treated last summer, the hospital brought a massage therapist in once a week, free of charge, for the rads patients.

My hospital is pretty progressive; so I'd be shocked if they were offering massages to cancer patients if it wasn't OK. 

Laurie08

from everything I have been told- that is very "old school" thinking.  I took my mother for a girls day at a spa just before I got married (9 years ago).  She had stage IV BC and they wouldn't touch her.  Not a manicure, pedicure, massage etc- we left.  I was diagnosed a little over a year ago and I asked right away about massage as I have a bad back.  Like mixin said they actually have someone who comes in and gives free chair massages to cancer patients.  They recommend massage.  Before I had my first massage after being diagnosed I e mailed my massage therapist first to give her a heads up.  She had no problem massaging me.

peggy_j

Yeah, the Stanford Cancer Center offers free chair massages and in VT, I had chair massage by a therapist who recently had BC herself. But if a specific therapist thinks it's not OK, I'd avoid that person.

As an aside, some fellow cancer patients who've had lymphedema say that for them it helps to get massage from a special lymphedema massage therapist (one works in the oncologist's office). Apparently that person knows special techniques to help with the lymph.

Anonymous

OUCH - that sounds so, well, wrong.  Suggest you check out the work being done by Tracy Walton in Boston, MA.  Most good cancer centers ( Dana Farber Cancer Insititute, Sloan Kettering) have Complementary Care Departments.

The Cancer Connection in Northampton, MA.  A support center for people with cancer OFFERS Free massage every Friday, especially for WOMEN with Breast Cancer.

 http://www.tracywalton.com/

AnneW

Think of all the people who don't have cancer (that they know of.) Will massage move stray, rogue cells around and enhance the cancer's growth? I think not.

Margie, if your therapist really felt that way, she should have immediately stopped the massage and refunded your money!

dlb823

Seems like if her theory had any truth in it, massage would be far more dangerous for people who don't know they have cancer or haven't had tx for it, in which case if lymphovascular invasion is present, massage might possibly help stray cells travel more.  I don't know if that can actually happen, but since massage improves circulation, it's not entirely illogical -- at least to me. 

But both hospitals where I was treated provided some form of massage -- either bi-weekly healing touch massage (which is a very gentle form of massage), or a spa day.  So I think if there was any validity to the notion that regular massage is harmful to us during or post-tx, they would have also warned us about it.    Deanna 

ruthbru

She wasn't a medical therapist, I hope?! 'Because that is a stupid and untrue remark. As Peggy said, the only thing one might be worried about is aggravating lymphedema; if that is a problem, then you would want to see someone with special training, or have them avoid that quadrant of your body.

Thatgirl

The first oncologist I interviewed suggested I NOT get any deep tissue massage until after treatment. The oncologist I decided to go with did not suggest that or agree with that at all. After I told her what the Dr. From the other hospital suggested, she then suggested no massage on or around that area.



There are advance classes for oncology massage. These classes are different than lymphatic massage. Some MT's may be hesitant due to lawsuits. If an MT is not comfortable, I would go somewhere else.



You can find studies that support both theories.

crystalphm

I faced this issue about a massage because my sister wanted to treat me to a day spa right after diagnosis. My doctor explained that massage is indeed dangerous for a short window of time where surgery/lumpectomy/biopsy has already been performed and clean margins were not found. So this would be the window of time while you have had one surgery and are waiting for another. 2 weeks after my mastectomy, I was cleared for a massage, when my report came in as "good clear margins".

The thought is random cancer cells can be moved by massage if there are no clear margins and skin is cut.

Well, I am very interested in what everyone has to say, I have always enjoyed a massage for stress relief...and now during breast cancer, massages added to my stress!

denise

Member_of_the_Club

My oncologist had no reservations whatsoever about massage.  This business of moving cancer cells around is bunk.  If thats how it worked, wouldn't any kind of exercise do the same thing?

Renrel

Boston General offers discounted massage and accupuncture to their cancer patients.  But I wil say they did a very light gentle massage when I went which I did not find very helpful to me. I wanted something deeper. They also offer classes on self care and couple care where they teach you ways to massage yourself and do self accupressure and how to give massage and accupressure to help with common cancer symtoms/treatment side effects.

Carola32

Oh, a spa treat how wonderful!

I had a shiatsu therapist who refused to do exactly this when I was on chemo, said something about the possibility of moving around cancer cells, which for me seemed strange. He agreed on doing a relaxation California massage instead (which was delightful).

Before surgery I was in my hometown and had a rendez-vous couple of months later with a very interesting and inspiring woman who also was a shiatsu therapist. She had a more holistic approach (as Shiatsu 'people' tend to have), and said there would be no problem at all. I think that maybe between two surgeries I wouldn't have deep tissue massage either though. 

I was wondering actually what qualifies as a 'light' massage for my arm (had 5 nodes removed two weeks ago); my surgeon says to massage breast, the slight cording I have and both scars (lumpectomy & node dissection at two separate occasions). A therapist from the clinic said to avoid draining massages at this point, like pressure massages which reminds me of shiatsu and other more 'deep-going' massages. AND I read yesterday that receiving massage on arm is supposed to help with future range of movement....Hmmm...I guess it all comes down to the right timing...? I'll ask my medical therapist who is supposed to help me get my arm back on track for clarifications.

Didam

During radiation I had terrific pain in my breast.  I chose breast restoration therapy to help me manage the pain without drugs.  I had a massage once each week right after my radiation therapy.  I am cancer free and believe in massage therapy for cancer patients.  I have healed very well because the massage helped my body respond properly with increased blood flow during my radiation.

massagebyjulia

Boy am I glad I checked into this site today!!

I am a massage therapist in private practice and I work with many cancer patients in their homes and at an integrative cancer center.

MNC, from North Carolina: your therapist was wrong! But did you notice that she thought massaging people with cancer was a bad thing but continued w/ your massage??? What was that about? Please read my info here and go back and hand her the links so she can become educated!

 Massage can be given to everyone who has cancer, except those who are receiving high-dose brachytherapy (internal radiation) where one is radioactive for a few days. Massage can be given to those with platelet counts as low as 2 (2,000). It is more acurately called comfort touch massage, because the pressure is very light and soothing. Massage can help decrease your nausea, pain, anxiety, and boosts your immune system as well as boost your mood.

 You MUST get a massage from a therapist who has had cancer massage classes/certification! Just ask what classes your therapist has taken or how many hours he/she has in cancer massage trainings. Or, go to the website of the Society for Oncology Massage (s4om.org) to find a qualified therapist in your area. If you have had nodes removed you are at risk for lymphedema so a therapist certified in lymphatic drainage would be great as well.

 Massage does not in any way spread cancer! If pressing on skin and muscles spread cancer, then doctors would advise patients to not walk, chew, lift their arms, etc because their muscles and skin would be moved!  It's time to move beyond the dark ages.

Here are three links for you:

1. www.medicinehands.com/bodyworkcancerpatients.pdf

2. www.opposingviews.com/i/cancer-survivor-getting-massage-here-s-what-you-should-know

3. www.massagebodywork.idigitaledition.com/issues/18/

peggy_j

massagebyjulia, thanks so much for posting the link toe s4om.org! (and the other info). I appreciate it.

Edit: I visited the website of one of the practioners, and she included a link to this website

 The Benefits of Oncology Massage
http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2010/07/the-benefits-of-oncology-massage-1.html

peggy_j

massagebyjulia, thanks again for your post. I found a therapist via s4om.org and made an appointment for this weekend.  The therapist I spoke to sounded very informed about the issues of removed lymph nodes; we were discussing lymphedema and she said that it can flare up years later, in part, because our bodies are aging and our lymph removal systems (like everything else) is working less efficiently than before. She also said that very deep tissue massage in an affected area could possibly add an extra burden if someone's close to the tipping point of having lymphdema.  These comments were in response to my questions, so she wasn't doing the hard sell at all. Her rates are approx. the same as regular massage, so it's nice to see someone who's aware of these issues. Just an FYI in case anyone is considering looking into "oncology massage."

massagebyjulia

Oh I'm so glad you're in good hands!! Ha.

peggy_j

FWIW, I had my oncology massage and it was great. She did more accupressure and reflexology than deep tissue work. Also, she spent a fair amount of time on intake this first appointment and for example, when we discussed my meds I mentioned I'm taking a baby aspirin (to reduce the risk of clots on tamoxifen) and that helped her decide to use a lighter touch (since the aspirin means I'll bruise more easily). FYI in case anyone is interested. Two thumbs up for the onc massage.

sundermom

I find this interesting since of the the treatments for LE is massage. My therapist massaged my arms and back for over an hour today

peggy_j

sundermom, yes, I know cancer patients who go to specially-trained therapists who treat LE. I'm glad your therapist helped you. FWIW, before I made my appt. I spoke with the therapist at length about what she does compared to regular massage (I included some notes earlier).  She also said many patients continue to do deep tissue massage without any symptoms. Maybe I'll do that again at some point but right now, just a few months post-treatment, I'm glad to have someone with extra training on the lymph system and extra awareness of issues. (and the price was about the same). Happy Massaging everyone!

CherylinOhio

Hi all. I get a massage twice a month at work. The company I work for is very employee health oriented and as such we have a wellness center with a doctor, nurse, pt and two massotherapists. One is accustomed to working with cancer patients, which was nice when I went in with no hair on!  I look forward to it so much because it relaxes me. I think when our bodies are allowed to relax they can heal as well as our minds since having the proper frame of mind and attitude can help with survival. 

miffyjones

Girls - the only thing my MO said about massage was be careful with intensity / any manouevres that a physio may do in case you have bone mets incase it causes fractures. Other than that rub away. I need my massages for my shoulder which suffers from the referred pain I get from mets in my lungs and it works wonders - makes me feel like I'm 100% healthy afterwards. Find a massage or even a physio that works for you and enjoy.

CherylinOhio

I recently met a massotherapist who took a specialized course on giving massages to cancer paitents. I get one twice a month for relaxation. Weds I got an herbal body wrap, they are supposed to be good for getting toxins out of youd body and promote liver and kidney health. I felt like a cold wet mummy but if it helps...