Possible Benefits of Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients in Holmdel NJ

A study has shown that massage therapy decreases the pain and improves the mood of cancer patients, but the effect is not long lasting. Nevertheless, licensed massage therapist Tracy Walton believes that the momentary rest provided by massage therapy is of great value to cancer patients. These findings and insights may be of great value, as well, to cancer patients in Holmdel NJ and in Monmouth County, Middletown, Hazlet, Red Bank, Colts Neck, Lincroft, Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Aberdeen, Leonardo, Rumson, Fair Haven and Little Silver.

J.S. Kutner, M.C. Smith, L. Corbin, L. Hemphill, K. Benton, B.K. Mellis, B. Beaty, S. Felton, T.E. Yamashita, L.L. Bryant, and D.L. Fairclough were the researchers who conducted the study entitled “Massage Therapy versus Simple Touch to Improve Pain and Mood in Patients with Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Trial.” Documentation of the study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on September 16, 2008.

The study covered 380 adult patients who had advanced cancer and were experiencing not less than moderate pain. They were randomly divided into the massage therapy group and the simple touch group. The patients were offered up to six sessions of 30-minute massages or 30 minutes of simple touch, depending on their group, in the course of two weeks. The patients had the option to attend or not attend the sessions.

Trained massage therapists gave the massage therapy, following a standard procedure. Simple touch was given by untrained personnel who were instructed to place both hands on each of 10 body sites for three minutes at a time. Unscented massage cream was used in both groups.

The patients’ level of pain, mood, quality of life and use of pain relief medication were measured through questionnaires at the beginning of the study and every week thereafter for three weeks.

Results later showed that patients in the massage therapy group showed more improvement in levels of pain and mood elevation as compared to patients in the simple touch group. The improvements, however, did not last long after the therapy ended.

Some quarters may see this as a failure of massage therapy in offering significant benefits to patients with advanced cancer. It must be noted, though, that there is no illusion offered that massage therapy could cure advanced cancer or bring long term relief.

Licensed massage therapist Tracy Walton provides a deeper insight into the effects of massage therapy on her clients with advanced cancer. She calls them warriors and calls each massage therapy session she gives a period of rest for the warrior.

Walton cites the multifaceted challenges that advanced cancer patients face. “My clients tell me that they don't just fight cancer: they endure, yield, pray, grieve and persevere. Cancer requires people to spend time in confusion, terror, and mystery,” she says. Massage allows them to let go even just for a while, Walton shares: “For a brief, nourishing time, I do not plan, or scheme, or fight; I simply rest. I let someone else care for me; I let myself fall, be caught, and be carried. Through this act of trust, I am recharged.” For patients living with advanced cancer, these small pockets of relaxation are of great value indeed.

Although various therapeutic massage modalities are available in professional massage spas, including reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy, it is recommended that cancer patients undergo therapeutic massage from a licensed massage therapist who has had training in oncology massage therapy. Cancer patients in Holmdel NJ and in Monmouth County, Middletown, Hazlet, Red Bank, Colts Neck, Lincroft, Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Aberdeen, Leonardo, Rumson, Fair Haven and Little Silver will gain much from such treatment.