Oncology Massage

Oncology massage is a very gentle form of massage that can be adapted to all individuals at any stage in their cancer journey. It aims to reduce levels of pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea and depression that can be experienced by cancer patients. Reiki is a Japanese technique that is a gentle non-invasive therapy carried out by the placing of the hands on or over a fully clothed client, that is used to change and balance the energy in and around the body.

Oncology massage is a specialised form of therapeutic massage involving gentle pressure techniques, performed by massage therapists with specialised training, which aims to improve quality of life for people with a diagnosis or history of cancer. While it does not treat cancer itself, it can alleviate the side effects caused by conventional treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Scientific studies have looked at the effects of various body-based practices on people having cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. These studies have shown that massage may reduce:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Anxiety and depression

Individuals who have had massages during cancer treatments have reported a range of positive outcomes such as improvements in:

• Sleep
• The health of the scar tissue
• Quality of life
• Mental clarity and alertness
• Range of movement