Skip to main content
massage Breckenridge, massage services in Breckenridge

Exploring Massage Therapy’s Role in Cancer Care

Massage in Cancer Care

  1. Pain Reduction in Breast Cancer Patients: Oncology Massage vs. Healing Touch

  2. Relief from Lymphedema Symptoms: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Study

  3. Alleviating Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Impact of Oncology Massage

  4. Empowering Cancer Patients: Benefits of Massage Therapy

  5. Research Citations

Pain Reduction for Breast Cancer Patients After Oncology Massage Therapy

An integrative oncology team conducted a study at Levine Cancer Institute, comparing massage therapy and healing touch as pain interventions for breast cancer patients. Of 407 participants, 43% received oncology massage and 57% healing touch, both experiencing significant reductions in pain levels. (Gentile et al., 2021)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) Relieves Lymphedema Symptoms

In a 2022 study, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) demonstrated positive effects on upper limb lymphedema in post-breast cancer surgery patients. Notably, participants experienced reduced swelling, improved hand and arm symptoms, and decreased risk of cellulitis. (Chmelova & Novackova, 2022)

Oncology Massage Alleviates Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy

A 2022 study on oncology massage’s impact on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy revealed significant improvements. Patients receiving massage three times a week exhibited better relief of neuropathy symptoms than those receiving it twice a week. (Lopez et al., 2022)

Massage Therapy Empowers Cancer Patients

Massage therapy serves as an integral part of cancer care, empowering patients by reducing isolation, alleviating symptoms, and managing self-care. Its benefits extend from pain management to relieving lymphedema, aiding patients in regaining control amidst their cancer journey.

Research Citations

[1] Cancer Facts & Figures 2023, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia, 2023

[2] Gentile D, Boselli D, Yaguda S, Greiner R, Bailey-Dorton C. “Pain Improvement After Healing Touch and Massage in Breast Cancer: An Observational Retrospective Study.” Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2021 Mar; 14 (1): 12-20 [Link] [3] Chmelova K, Novackova M. “Effect of manual lymphatic drainage on upper limb lymphedema after surgery for breast cancer.” Ceska Gynekol. 2022;87(5):317–323 [Link] [4] Lopez G, Eng C, Overman M, Ramirez D, Liu W, Beinhorn C, Sumler P, Prinsloo S, Li Y, Eduardo B, and Lorenzo C. “A randomized pilot study of oncology massage to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.” Sci Rep 2022; 12: 19023 [Link]
swedish massage

The Role of Massage Therapy in Alleviating Chronic Pain: Recent Research Insights

Shifting Pain Management: Massage Therapy’s Role in Chronic Pain Relief

  1. Rethinking Chronic Pain Management
  2. Evidence: Integrative Therapies
  3. Impact on Mental Health
  4. The Ongoing Research Endeavor
  5. Post-Pandemic Recalibration

Rethinking Chronic Pain Management

The conventional reliance on opioids for chronic pain faces a transformative shift as recent studies illuminate the potential of alternative therapies like massage. Decades of research, championed by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), affirm massage therapy’s promise in alleviating chronic pain and curbing reliance on opioids.

Evidence: Integrative Therapies

Highlighting a Cleveland Clinic study, integrative therapies combining massage with acupuncture and cognitive therapy yield remarkable outcomes for chronic, non-cancer pain patients. Simultaneously, research from Stollery Children’s Hospital underscores the positive impact of hand self-shiatsu massage on improving sleep quality among youth coping with chronic pain.

Impact on Mental Health

Ongoing investigations, including research examining myofascial massage effects post-surgery for breast cancer patients, signal the profession’s commitment to diversifying massage therapy applications.

The Ongoing Research Endeavor

AMTA President Michaele Colizza advocates integrating massage therapy into comprehensive pain relief discussions between patients and healthcare providers.

Post-Pandemic Recalibration

The pandemic’s disruption of chronic pain services exacerbated the pain crisis in the US. Healthcare systems adapt post-pandemic, elevating non-opioid pain therapies like massage, evident in the AMTA’s 2022 Massage Profession Research Report.

These insights underscore the urgency for a paradigm shift in pain management strategies, urging exploration of non-pharmacological solutions such as massage therapy.

References:

  • Znidarsic et al. (2021), “Living Well with Chronic Pain”: Integrative Pain Management via Shared Medical Appointments.
  • Brown et al. (2020), Effectiveness of Hand Self-Shiatsu to Promote Sleep in Young People with Chronic Pain.
  • Sehgal et al. (2020-2024), Pain and Immobility After Breast Cancer Surgery: A Community-Based Randomized Controlled Trial of Myofascial Massage Treatment.
  • AMTA 2022 Massage Profession Research Report, based on data from the annual AMTA Consumer Survey.
deep tissue massage in Breckenridge | therapist performing therapeutic deep tissue massage

What is the best massage for stress and anxiety?

What is the best massage for stress and anxiety?

Deep Tissue Massage – Deep pressing and kneading of the muscles releases knots and melt away tension. When done correctly, this massage is one of the most effective at reducing chronic pain and anxiety. Trigger Point Massage – A well-trained massage therapist can find and release trigger points.

Alpine Day Spa in Breckenridge Colorado logo

500 South Main Street
LaCima Mall Suite 3A (Upper Level)
Breckenridge, Colorado 80424

© Alpine Day Spa. All rights reserved.