What is it?
Massage helps reduce muscle soreness, stiffness, and spasms. It also promotes relaxation and improves circulation, processes that can support recovery and healing. These effects can also reduce pain, anxiety, and depression. It may also help regulate breathing and improve sleep. Certain types of massage, such as reflexology, are better suited for hospital or clinic settings, or in weak and elderly patients.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
- Pain
Several studies show massage can ease pain and can reduce use of pain medications. - Anxiety
Studies show that massage can reduce anxiety, including anxiety related to medical procedures. This can also lead to improved mood and sleep. - Depression
Studies show that massage can reduce depression and mood disturbances. - Fatigue
Studies show that massage can reduce fatigue in cancer patients. - Cancer-related symptoms
Clinical trials support the use of massage for pain, fatigue, anxiety, and other mood disturbances associated with cancer and its treatment. It can also improve shortness of breath and sleep quality.
What else do I need to know?
What Is It:
Massage is an ancient technique that involves manual manipulation of muscles and soft tissues of the body. It increases circulation, promotes relaxation, and has important emotional and psychological benefits. Commonly practiced forms include Swedish massage, reflexology, reiki, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, shiatsu, tui na, and manual lymphatic drainage, or MLD.
Massage therapy can help reduce
- Anxiety, depression
- Pain
- Fatigue
It can also help improve
- Sleep
- Well-being
- Coping
Cancer guidelines recommend massage therapy for depression and mood disorders, and as part of management for cancer pain, fatigue, and during palliative care. Further, a newly released guideline from the Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO recommends massage for short-term pain relief and enhanced coping for individuals living with advanced cancer.
Patients should speak with their doctor and see a qualified massage therapist who has experience working with cancer patients.
Is It Safe:
Massage is generally safe when provided by a qualified massage therapist. Patients should speak with their doctor and see a therapist with experience in this population.
Massage should be avoided in areas with
- Tumor involvement
- Recent radiotherapy and surgery
- Implanted devices like a hepatic infusion pump or wound vacuum
- Suspected abdominal obstructions or intestinal inflammation, or with irritable bowel syndrome.
In these cases, therapists should use alternate sites for massage.
Abdominal massage should be avoided in those who are pregnant.
Who Can Provide this Service:
In the US, therapists are licensed within each state by meeting specific education, exam, and experience requirements. There is also a voluntary national board certification, and specialty or advanced certifications for particular modalities or for experience with certain populations, such as cancer patients.
Where Can I Get Treatment:
NCI-designated cancer centers may offer massage therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and meditation, usually through referrals from the healthcare team or by accessing supportive care services.
The Integrative Medicine Service at MSK offers several forms of massage therapy to support recovery and wellbeing.