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Other common name(s):
massage therapy, therapeutic massage, Swedish massage, myotherapy,
neuromuscular therapy, trigger point massage
Scientific/medical name(s):
none
DESCRIPTION
Massage involves manipulation, rubbing, and kneading of the
body's muscle and soft tissue to enhance function of those tissues and
promote relaxation.
OVERVIEW
Studies of massage for cancer patients suggest massage can
decrease stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue in some. Many
health care professionals recognize massage as a useful, non-invasive
addition to standard medical treatment. Therapeutic massage is most
often given by trained massage therapists. Caregivers can also be
trained to provide safe massage techniques.
How is it promoted for use?
Massage is recommended by some health care professionals as a
complementary therapy, that is, one that is used in addition to
conventional medical care. They believe massage can help people with
serious illnesses such as cancer to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain.
It is also known to help relax muscles. Many people find that massage
brings a temporary feeling of well being and relaxation. Massage is
also used to relieve pain and stiffness, increase mobility,
rehabilitate injured muscles, and reduce the pain of headaches and
backaches.
Some practitioners claim massage raises the body's production
of endorphins (chemicals believed to improve overall mood) and flushes
lactic acid (a waste product) out of muscles. Proponents also claim
massage promotes recovery from fatigue produced by excessive exercise,
breaks up scar tissue, loosens mucus in the lungs, promotes sinus
drainage, and helps arthritis, colds, and constipation.
Proponents claim myotherapy (a specific type of massage) can
reduce 95% of all muscle-related pain, and in some cases can replace
the use of pain-relieving drugs. They say the techniques used in
myotherapy relax muscles and improve muscle strength, flexibility, and
coordination; relieve pain; reduce the need for pain medications;
increase blood circulation; improve stamina and sleep patterns; and
correct posture imbalances.
What does it involve?
There are many types of massage, including Swedish, sports
massage, neuromuscular therapy, myotherapy, and others (see also Acupressure,
Shiatsu, and other Asian Bodywork and
Myofascial
Therapy). Swedish massage is one of
the most common types of massage used in the United States today,
although most massage therapists combine a number of different styles
and techniques.
In all forms of massage, therapists use their hands (and
sometimes forearms, elbows, and massage tools) to
manipulate the body's soft tissue. Massage strokes can vary from light
and shallow to firm and deep, and from slow steady pressure to quick
tapping. The choice will depend on the health and needs of the
individual and the training and style of the massage therapist. During
active treatment for cancer, special considerations may apply (see
possible problems or complications).
Swedish massage uses several techniques to apply pressure to
muscles in order to relax them and encourage circulation. Deep tissue
massage focuses on deep layers of muscle tissue and connective tissue
with the goal of releasing chronic tension or tightness. Sports massage
is used in different ways depending on the sport, but the overall goals
are to reduce fatigue and improve mobility.
Myotherapy and neuromuscular therapy focus on finding “trigger
points,” and use different techniques such as deep pressure to reduce
them. Trigger points are abnormally sensitive, highly irritable knots
of tight muscle tissue that may cause pain or limit range of motion.
This type of massage is also called trigger point therapy.
Massage usually takes place on a massage table. The client may
wear minimal clothing, and is covered by a sheet, light blanket, or
towel. Oils or lotions are often used to keep friction from irritating
the skin. Typical massage therapy sessions last from 30 minutes to one
hour. Massage therapists often play soothing music and use dim lighting
to increase relaxation and comfort.
Some massages take place with the client seated fully clothed
on a massage chair with the client fully clothed. Chair massage focuses
on the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. These massages
tend to last 15 to 30 minutes.
Many hospitals and cancer centers now offer massage to cancer
patients. When provided to inpatients, massages generally last a
shorter time.
What is the history behind it?
Massage has been used in many ancient cultures including
those of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greece, and Egypt. Chinese texts
dating back to 2700 BC recommended massage and other types of body
movements as treatments for paralysis, chills, and fever. Hippocrates,
known as the father of western medicine, recommended massage for sports
and war injuries.
Swedish massage, one of the most common forms of massage used
today in the United States, is usually attributed to 19th century
Swedish physician Per Henrik Ling. A number of writings from the late
1800s discuss techniques that have been incorporated into what we call
Swedish massage.
Myotherapy and trigger point massage were developed as a
result of the work of Janet Travell, MD and colleagues in the 1940s.
She developed a technique called trigger point injections, in which
pain-relieving drugs are injected directly into the tender area of
painful muscles. Later therapists noted that external pressure could
help relieve trigger point pain without injections. Neuromuscular
techniques emerged during the last half-century in Europe and North
America.
In 1992, massage therapists set up the National Certification
Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork so that their qualifications
could be standardized and officially recognized. A person who completes
the required training and passes the Board's exam can say that he or
she is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(NCTMB). In 2005, the board created a new test which allows a person to
call himself or herself Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage
(NCTM). The newer title requires the same basic knowledge, but the
person is tested on fewer types of massage. Both credentials must be
renewed every 4 years by continuing education and practice. The massage
therapists' certifying board is recognized by the National Commission
for Certifying Agencies.
In addition, massage therapists have asked state legislatures
to require licensing so that untrained people cannot call themselves
massage therapists. According to the American Massage Therapy
Association, 38 states now regulate massage therapists. Certification
and licensure make it easier to find a professional massage therapist.
What is the evidence?
A growing number of health care professionals recognize
massage as a useful addition to conventional medical treatment. Some
studies of massage for cancer patients suggest that it can decrease
stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and fatigue for many patients. These
potential benefits hold great promise for people with cancer, who deal
with the stresses of a serious illness and some unpleasant side effects
of conventional medical treatment. While some evidence from research
studies with cancer patients supports massage for short-term symptom
relief, additional research is needed to find out if there are
measurable, long-term physical or psychological benefits. While massage
appears promising for symptom management and quality of life, available
scientific evidence does not support claims that massage slows or
reverses the growth or spread of cancer.
In a 2005 review of research, Deng and Cassileth reported that
massage therapy has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety in randomized
controlled trials. Large, well-controlled studies are still needed to
determine the long-term health benefits of massage.
Meanwhile, most patients feel better after massage, which may
result in substantial relief. In a 1999 publication, the National
Cancer Institute found that about half of their cancer centers offered
massage as an adjunctive therapy to cancer treatment.
Are there any possible problems
or complications?
People with rheumatoid arthritis, cancer that has spread to
the bone, spine injuries, osteoporosis or other bone diseases that
could be worsened by physical manipulation should avoid physical
manipulation or deep pressure. Manipulation of a bone in an area of
cancer metastasis could result in a bone fracture. Also, people who
have had radiation may find even light touch on the treatment area to
be uncomfortable. People with cancer and chronic conditions such as
arthritis and heart disease should consult their physicians before
undergoing any type of therapy that involves manipulation of joints and
muscles. It is important to have massage given by trained massage
therapists, and to be sure they know about your cancer and its
treatment. Generally, gentle massage and bodywork can be adapted to
meet the needs of cancer patients.
People receiving radiation treatment should not have lotion or
oil used on the areas on which radiation was used. Even without
radiation treatment, a few people have allergic reactions to oils used
during massage.
Another concern for people with cancer is that tissue
manipulation in the area of a tumor might increase the risk that cancer
cells might travel to other parts of the body. It may be prudent for
cancer patients to avoid massage near tumors and lumps that may be
cancerous until this question is clearly answered.
It is important for people with cancer to let their medical
care provider know they are receiving massage. Massage should be
provided by a trained professional with expertise in working safely
with people with cancer and with cancer survivors. Family members and
other caregivers can be instructed in certain massage techniques as
well.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your
American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
AhlesTA, Tope DM, Pinkson B, Walch S, Hann D, Whedon M, Dain
B, Weiss JE, Mill L, Silberfarb PM. Massage therapy for patients
undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. J Pain
Symptom Manage. 1999;18(3):157-163.
Bass SS, Cox CE, Salud CJ, et al. The effects of postinjection massage
on the sensitivity of lymphatic mapping in breast cancer. J
Am Coll Surg. 2001 Jan;192(1):9-16.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Massage Therapists, Available at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm.
Accessed 4/2/07.
Calvert RN. Pages from history: Swedish Massage. Massage
Magazine Web site. Available at: http://www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2002/issue100/history100.php.
Accessed 3/13/07.
Cassileth, B. & Vickers, A.J. Massage Therapy for
Symptom Control: Outcome Study at a Major Cancer Center. J
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Corley MC, Ferriter J, Zeh J, Gifford C. Physiological and
psychological effects of back rubs. Appl Nurs Res.
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Deng G, Cassileth BR. Integrative Oncology: Complementary
Therapies for pain, anxiety, and mood disturbance. CA Cancer
J Clin. 2005; 55:109-116.
Fellowes D, Barnes K, Wilkinson S. Aromatherapy and massage
for symptom relief in patients with cancer. Cochrane Database
Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD002287.
National Institutes for Health. Manipulative and body-based
practices: An overview. NCCAM Backgrounder, 2004. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/manipulative.htm.
Accessed 3/13/07.
National Institutes of Health/National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Massage Therapy as CAM. NCCAM
Backgrounder, 2006. Available at: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/massage/.
Accessed 12/09/06.
Hernandez-Reif M, Ironson G, Field T, Hurley J, Katz G, Diego
M, Weiss S, Fletcher MA, Schanberg S, Kuhn C, Burman I. Breast cancer
patients have improved immune and neuroedocrine functions following
massage therapy. Journal
of Psychosomatic Research 2004;57:45-52.
Post-White J, Kinney ME, Savik KS, Gau JB, Wilcox C, Lerner I.
Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch Improve Symptoms in Cancer. Integrative
Cancer Therapies. 2003;2(4):332-344.
Rosser RJ. Sentinel lymph nodes and postinjection massage: It
is premature to reject caution. J
Am Coll Surg. 2001; 193(3):338.
Smith MC, Kemp J, Hemphill, Vojir. Outcomes of therapeutic
massage for hospitalized cancer patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship.
2002;34(3):257-262.
Weinrich SP, Weinrich MC. The effect of massage on pain in
cancer patients. Appl
Nurs Res. 1990;3:140-5.
Note: This information may not
cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 05/23/2007
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