Clinical Therapeutic Massage Therapy

Information may not be reliable

Massage therapy usage in hospitals is on the rise. In this country, massage was commonly used by nurses until the 1960s and 1970s to help ease patients' pain and help them sleep. But the advent of powerful prescription pain medications in recent decades has diminished the use of massage in medical settings until fairly recently. The number of hospitals offering massage therapy has increased by 30 percent in two years (from 2004 to 2006).
The massage programs offer patients a "complementary" way to cope with disease symptoms and side effects of medical treatment. Patients undergo a multitude of invasive procedures and treatments. The caring touch of therapeutic massage can reduce a patient's pain, stress, tension, nausea, anxiety, anger and depression during treatment for the disease. It can result in improved functions such as sleep patterns, respiration, circulation and digestion also it can provide relaxation, improve mood and sense of well-being. Studies have also shown that massage boosts the immune system.
Here at Clinical Therapeutic Massage we offer some of the same safe and effective massage therapy that is used by massage therapist in hospital's. It is gentle work that supports, nourishes and strengthens the immune system and bodily organs. Sessions may include gentle touch, massage, acupressure, reflexology, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage or cranio sacral therapy. These techniques are used separately or in combination to formulate each individual's specific needs to improve the quality of life.

"Whatever the approach, these therapists are providing a saving grace - the caring touch of a therapist's hands - to ease pain and anxiety for children on the difficult path of illness and hopefully, toward recovery. The patients range from newborns to teens, the conditions from surgical cases to chronic illness, but the results of the work have a common thread. The child becomes relaxed, often drifting off to sleep, and the bustling, highly-charged atmosphere of the hospital room is transformed to one of serenity and quiet for the whole family."

Quote from the article in the February/March 2007 issue of Massage and Bodywork Magazine "Handled with Care...Massage Therapist Connecting with Hospitalized Children" by Shirley Vanderbilt.

The American Cancer Society considers massage "one of the most supportive and helpful complementary therapies available to patients and views it as helpful both physically and emotionally because it soothes the soul and the mind".
M.D. Anderson, which is recognized around the world for its advanced cancer treatments, introduced massage and other non-standard therapies partly because research had shown their effectiveness. But M.D. Anderson Wellness Center administrator Laura Baynham-Fletcher says it was also in response to patient demand.

For people with cancer, comfort oriented massage or touch is available regardless of the severity of their condition, with in- and out- patients receiving treatment for cancer. Massage can be given before, during, or after chemotherapy, radiation, diagnostic procedures, pre- and post-surgery and during bone marrow transplantation but must have a doctor's order for the service when calling to schedule an appointment. The goal of treatment is to reduce the side effects of treatment and assist the client in the transformational journey of healing and wholeness.
In spite of great strides in the treatment of cancer in recent years, people who have the disease often suffer pain, anxiety and nausea caused as much by the treatments as the cancer itself. Hospitals are now employing a variety of unconventional therapies to help cancer patients and one of the most popular and effective is massage...
Voice of America News Houston - 15 February 2005

Lymphedema can be a serious complication of surgical intervention, chemotherapy, or radiation. When lymph nodes are removed or compromised, a condition can develop known as Lymphedema. It is an accumulation of lymph in the soft tissue that occurs because the lymphatic pathways and nodes are not functioning the way that they should. Manual lymph drainage or MLD is the technique performed, by certified practitioners, to help prevent or reduce lymphedema. With proper education and care, lymphedema can be avoided or managed appropriately with manual lymph drainage.
Massage therapy cannot cure or halt cancer, but it can definitely help relieve some symptoms and some side effects of treatment, ease tension and stress, as well as improve the quality of life and sense of well-being. It is recommend that cancer patients have a thorough discussion with their physicians regarding the therapeutic value of massage as a complimentary therapy to their cancer treatment. (Radiation, Chemotherapy, Oncology Inpatient & Outpatient Treatment must have a doctor's order for the service when calling to schedule an appointment.)
Massage will not spread cancer by stimulating the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Walking and exercise influence the circulatory and lymphatic systems in much the same way as massage and both are highly recommended. Note however, that deep tissue work be avoided, it may be uncomfortable and may further stress the immune system. It is important for patients to see a qualified massage therapist who has been trained in clinical massage for cancer patients, as well as manual lymph drainage. The incidence of lymphedema is fairly significant.

For patients with Mesothelioma and other cancers, the incorporation of Lymph Drainage massage following clearance from an oncologist may be a very beneficial complement to the patient's current cancer management regimen. Lymph Drainage therapy and massage has been shown to not only address the issue of lymphedema, but may also promote immune function, heal skin problems such as burns and scars associated with radiation treatment, and may also reduce puffiness and the buildup of fluid within the body. It can also relax and stimulate the reproduction of white blood cells.

Children with cancer and their parents commonly reach beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine to add "alternative" therapies, such as dietary supplements, massage, spiritual healing, chiropractic, and meditation, according to a study conducted in the state of Washington. The study appears in the journal Preventive Medicine, (Vol. 33: 347-354).
Although these therapies are often called "alternative," none of the 75 families interviewed used them as a substitute for standard medical care, but rather as a "complementary" way to cope with disease symptoms and side effects of medical treatment, according to the study.
Although "alternative" is often used to refer to anything outside the realm of conventional medicine, the American Cancer Society (ACS) uses the term to mean therapy sought instead of standard medical treatment. Treatments sought to go along with medical care are considered "complementary."
Reasons for Using Complementary and Alternative Methods
Alternative providers (such as chiropractors, massage therapists, and naturopathic doctors) and mental/spiritual therapies were used most often with the intention of relieving side effects or symptoms. Maintaining general good health was the primary motivation for using dietary supplements and physical activity.
Doctors Offered Referrals
And in some cases, the families were even referred to the alternative providers through their treating physicians, says lead author Marian L. Neuhouser, PhD, RD, senior staff scientist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
"Providers can be good sources of information or referral for effective complementary and alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, play therapy, or art therapy," Neuhouser tells ACS News Today. "And in many cases, if the physician does the referring there can be some third-party reimbursement for services."
Neuhouser recommends patient's families check with their health plans on whether and how such services are covered. In Washington, where the families in the study live, legislation passed in 1995 requires insurers to provide coverage for services from licensed alternative providers such as acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, and massage therapists, according to the study.