Massage

southernchick

I had stage 1 breast cancer 6 years ago. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy, because after four tries at a lumpectomy they still could not get clean margins. Did not have to do anything other than the surgery. I also had reconstruction. I love getting massages. Just Swedish, not deep tissue. I have had several since the surgery. Has anyone had their oncologist tell them not to have massages anymore after cancer? I had heard that you shouldn't, so I asked me oncologist if I could have one and he said he would rather I didn't. Is this old school thought?

Blessings2011

Hi, southernchick - Gosh, I haven't heard that...

I get regular myofascial release therapy massages. It was the only thing that relieved my pain and vice-grip tightness after Exchange, and now it's working on my lower back and shoulder issues. It can be VERY deep tissue massage, depending on which body part she's working on.

My MO knows about it, and says go for it, as it helps with the joint and muscle pain from the Arimidex, and now Femara that I take.

Did your oncologist give you a reason why he'd rather you didn't get massages?

Ariom

Hi southernchick!

I too have always had massages, I have Rheumatoid arthritis and it helps a lot with that.

I moved to a new area and was soon Dx with DCIS. I had to wait some time till I could have my surgery. I found a massage therapist nearby but when I called her to make an appointment and told her about my Dx she refused to massage me unless I got the ok from my Doctor. She said that in her training they were instructed never to massage anyone with Ca. I believe it may be to do with having Mets.

I contacted my Surgeon and although there was a possibility that I could have an invasive component in my final pathology, he said it was fine to continue having a massage.

I started to have my massages with her before my surgery, and then went back soon after my Mx. This therapist does myofascial release too and has helped me so much with the prevention of adhesions. I don't have a really deep tissue massage any more, and she is very careful with my Mx side, arm because I am a bit paranoid of LE.

I couldn't say if this an old school way of thinking, but I wonder, like Blessings, why your Onc didn't tell you why he doesn't want you to do it?

Hils

That seems very old school - check out the link below. It can be very beneficial. But I think you need to find out why your Onc is saying this!

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/comp_med/types/massage

MelissaDallas

could it be because the doc thinks it is a risk to developing lymphedema?

FLwarrior

I haven't had a massage since bc dx. I am concerned that the lymph could get moved the wrong way and cause a problem. Not sure if that would really happen? I feel like I am on the edge of developing LE sometimes. I have cording that comes and goes so I stay VERY cautious with that arm. If you ask your MO what his reason/s are, I'd love to hear his response.

RMlulu

FLwarrior - have you asked your MO for a referral for PT? My BC center offers free chair massage 2X a month and I'm in PT for trunk LE. Ask ask ask...all it took was a phone call and I was referred. Better safe and on top if it! Besides the PT leads the on site exercise classes and she urged me to get referral...so glad I did.

Best wishes

Cindy

SelenaWolf

I asked my MO, my RO, my GP, my GP's nurse and a number of friends who are medical professionals (i.e., diagnostic radiologist, nurse practitioner, etc.)who all said that there was absolutely no reason why I couldn't continue having my monthly, full-body, aromoatherapy massage. That was good enough for me.

Blessings2011

I feel pretty safe having deep Myofascial Release massages from my therapist - she is also a Certified Lymphedema Therapist.

Motherofall6

I asked my mo today if I can get massages during chemo she said yes

Lula73

a lot of massage therapists won't touch someone who has had BC because of the lymphedema risk especially if they're not trained in it. And they definitely prefer not to massage anyone that's had surgery in the last 6 months (clot risk). It’s a no win situation for many of us as we’re put in so many strange positions during recovery (ie sleeping on your back, sleeping in a recliner, limited upper body/arm movement, etc) and could really use a massage to help the resulting muscle tension at the very least.