Courtesy of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Talk
In the words of one Roswell Park patient, oncology massage is like “a brief vacation from cancer.” A peaceful, pleasant form of integrative care that complements standard medical treatment, massage helps increase relaxation and feelings of well-being and hope.
Roswell Park’s customized massage sessions address emotional and physical needs, and lessen the burden of treatment-related side effects. Beth Bergmann, LMT, an oncology-trained massage therapist at Roswell Park, dispels the myth that massage may cause cancer cells to spread. She also dispels the idea that massage can be painful due to deep kneading of the muscles, explaining that oncology massage is performed with a very light, simple touch intended to help promote relaxation and reconnect with the body in a kind, gentle, and nurturing way. Bergmann says even brief massages can be helpful, explaining patients feel warmth and relaxation throughout their body after just 10 minutes. Bergmann also encourages caregivers to make a relaxing massage part of their own self-care routine.
“Oncology massage is so relaxing that patients even fall asleep during a 10-minute session,” says oncology trained massage therapist Yoshie Fanara, LMT, who first learned about oncology massage during her own cancer journey at Roswell Park. “After completing my treatment, I wanted to give back to the community that had helped me tremendously during some of the toughest times of my life. Offering patients a bit of serenity amidst what I know is such a stressful time fills me with such a sense of pride.”
Oncology massage addresses the full spectrum of cancer-related issues, including the physical and side effects of treatments, and the psychosocial and emotional aspects of care. Patients and their caregivers report several significant and positive changes after massage, including deep relaxation, reduced stress and pain, improved sleep, eased constipation, increased alertness and mental clarity, reduced anxiety and depression, less nausea, improved body image, and being pleasantly distracted.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that oncology massage helps ease recovery from anesthesia, reduces post-surgical pain and swelling, improves mobility and range of motion, and helps with adaptation to implants and expanders. Massage may also help reduce post-treatment fatigue, improve appetite, and minimize peripheral neuropathy.
Oncology massage should only be performed by a therapist trained in cancer care and cancer treatment. With the appropriate knowledge, your massage therapist can safely support you while helping you manage your experience with cancer. Weekly oncology massage sessions are offered in The 11 Day Power Play Cancer Resource Center, on the first floor of the main hospital downtown. Patients and caregivers are invited to experience relaxation and comfort during walk-in, 10-minute chair massages with Bergmann and Yoshie Fanara, LMT. No appointment is necessary, and sessions are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Oncology massages are also available at Roswell Park’s Northtowns Care Network Site at 199 Park Club Lane, Suite 200 in Williamsville.
Oncology Massage is available through the generous support of Roswell Park’s Quality-of-Life Programs. Contact the 1-Day Power Play Cancer Resource Center at 716-845-8659, option 1, or email ResourceCenter@RoswellPark.org for information. Read more great articles at https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk.
