How can massage help me or my loved one with Mesothelioma?
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of cells lining the body's
internal organs, known as the mesothelium. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural
mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, and
occurs in the lining of the lung known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the
abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum and pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium,
which lines the heart.
Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment Options
There are many options for treatment upon receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Traditional treatments,
such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, may be the very first options that a physician will
recommend. These, however, are not the only options, and many individuals suffering from
mesothelioma choose to couple the traditional forms of treatment with alternative options.
Alternative treatments that may benefit individuals who suffer from various forms of cancer, including
mesothelioma, include Acupuncture, Reflexology, Meditation, Massage, Herbal and Nutritional
Supplements, Yoga, TENS Therapy, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy, and Naturopathy.
Why should I consider alternative treatment?
When paired with traditional treatment methods, alternative options can be an important component of
a treatment plan. These alternative methods are most helpful in regards to controlling pain and
maintaining balance and peace within an individuals mind and body. Many patients find these
treatments, such as massage or meditation, to be a welcome distraction from the ongoing cycle of
hospital visits, medication, and general stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.
It is very important to consult with your physician before pursuing any new form of treatment. A doctor
will be able to determine whether or not a patient is healthy enough to incorporate alternative treatment
practices into their already-established treatment plan.
In my massage practice, I offer Massage, Relexology, and Aromatherapy.
Massage
Massage has long been utilized as a method of relaxation for general and medicinal purposes. Many
individuals who have experienced injuries or certain illnesses turn to massage as an additional method
of easing pain, including cancer patients. Massage promotes a sense of overall wellbeing and works to
relax the body and restore a sense of calm and balance to the mind.
Individuals who suffer from mesothelioma, a debilitating and painful form of lung cancer, may greatly
benefit from massage. Massage is not a curative treatment option, but when combined with traditional
cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, massage can be an integral part of a mesothelioma
patient's healing plan. Patients who experience massage in conjunction with other treatments have
reported a lessening of pain and an overall feeling of calm and relaxation.
Massage focuses on the working of specified muscles in attempt to manipulate the tissue and blood
vessels below the surface, increasing blood flow throughout an individual's body. As the muscles are
stimulated, oxygen supply within the body improves, which eases soreness, aches, and pains that
cancer patients may experience as a result of their disease. In the United States, the traditional
Swedish massage is the most popular option, but there are various other areas of massage, including
shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, and Thai massage.
While massage will not cure or lessen the severity of mesothelioma and other forms of cancer, it can
certainly ease the effects and promote a sense of relaxation in cancer patients. Massage is most
helpful in the event that a patient is experiencing anxiety or emotional imbalance due to their traumatic
disease, as it relaxes the entire body and thus induces a general feeling of peacefulness and balance
within the mind and soul. Alternative treatment therapies, including massage, have been shown to
vastly improve the overall health of cancer patients.
Patients who wish to implement massage into their treatment plan should consult with their physician
prior to beginning any new methods.
Oncology Massage
The use of massage therapy as a form of cancer treatment is a fairly young concept within cancer care
protocols. Progressive care such as massage therapy is now being considered more and more by
patients and physicians. Conventionally used as a physical feel-good tool, researchers are now finding
that the psychological and emotional effects of massage therapy can have a positive effect on
individuals, especially cancer patients. However, there is one limiting factor: the lack of certification and
licensing programs for those practicing massage on cancer patients, formally known as oncology
massage.
Oncology massage refers to the form of massage therapy catered to the needs of cancer patients.
Considering each patient's case is unique, it is the therapist's responsibility to be fully educated in the
proper use of massage for various forms of cancer. Although the physical touch of massage has great
benefits for the patient, emotional and psychological aspects need attending to as well. A therapist who
is trained specifically in the field will have the experience and awareness to provide the patient with the
proper care.
The aggressiveness of mesothelioma cancer often requires extreme treatment protocols such as
surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Therapists specifically trained in oncology massage have the
appropriate awareness and experience in complimenting alternative therapy with such conventional
treatments. Palliative treatments like massage therapy are often successful in easing the pain and
discomfort that is often emitted from conventional treatment regimes. Having a therapist that is trained
in oncology massage is extremely important to ensure the patient is receiving adequate treatment.
Aromatherapy
There are essentially two categories of therapy for patients of cancer. Clinical therapies, such as
chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are likely the most medicinally beneficial. However, this is
not to say that other, complementary, therapies are not important as well. These complementary
therapies may not be able to cure the disease, but will often treat the holistic wellbeing of the person.
Among the cancer patients who use these are patients of mesothelioma. One of the more common
complementary therapies used by patients of mesothelioma is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is not for
all mesothelioma patients and offers no cure for the disease. However, when used in conjunction with
other more traditional therapies, aromatherapy has helped many cancer patients' lives to be much
more manageable as they battle their disease.
Aromatherapy, as a therapy, is a relatively recent phenomenon in the complementary treatment of
cancer patients, but its uses can be traced back thousands of years in other capacities. The idea of the
therapy is to stimulate the senses and perceptions in such a way to create a relaxing and calm
environment. The senses are incredibly related to a given person's levels of anxiety. Therefore, when
the senses are relaxed it is possible to ease levels of stress and anxiety in some people. Using certain
essential oils, these scents trigger emotional ease, which can be highly valuable for a patient battling
terminal illness.
In some cases, aroma therapy will be coupled with massage therapies, which can ease the entire body
in both sensory perception and muscle relaxation. In certain trials, certain patients have experienced an
easing of symptoms related to chemotherapy, such as nausea and fatigue, when subjected to
controlled aromatherapy environments. These trials were not clinical in nature and may not
demonstrate the same results in all patients.
It is important to keep in mind with most alternative therapies that they are strictly based on personal
preference and results will vary greatly from one patient to another. It is also important to consult a
physician before engaging in any complementary therapies. Although beneficial, the patient needs to
be conscious of the goals of the traditional therapies first and ensure they are compromised.
(Copied with permission from the Mesothelioma website. For more information on this disease and
traditional treatment methods, please visit their website at Mesothelioma.com and Mesothelioma
Alternative Treatments).
Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of cells lining the body's
internal organs, known as the mesothelium. There are three recognized types of mesothelioma. Pleural
mesothelioma is the most common form of the disease, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, and
occurs in the lining of the lung known as the pleura. Peritoneal mesothelioma occurs in the lining of the
abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum and pericardial mesothelioma originates in the pericardium,
which lines the heart.
Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment Options
There are many options for treatment upon receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Traditional treatments,
such as chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation, may be the very first options that a physician will
recommend. These, however, are not the only options, and many individuals suffering from
mesothelioma choose to couple the traditional forms of treatment with alternative options.
Alternative treatments that may benefit individuals who suffer from various forms of cancer, including
mesothelioma, include Acupuncture, Reflexology, Meditation, Massage, Herbal and Nutritional
Supplements, Yoga, TENS Therapy, Aromatherapy, Hypnotherapy, and Naturopathy.
Why should I consider alternative treatment?
When paired with traditional treatment methods, alternative options can be an important component of
a treatment plan. These alternative methods are most helpful in regards to controlling pain and
maintaining balance and peace within an individuals mind and body. Many patients find these
treatments, such as massage or meditation, to be a welcome distraction from the ongoing cycle of
hospital visits, medication, and general stress associated with a cancer diagnosis.
It is very important to consult with your physician before pursuing any new form of treatment. A doctor
will be able to determine whether or not a patient is healthy enough to incorporate alternative treatment
practices into their already-established treatment plan.
In my massage practice, I offer Massage, Relexology, and Aromatherapy.
Massage
Massage has long been utilized as a method of relaxation for general and medicinal purposes. Many
individuals who have experienced injuries or certain illnesses turn to massage as an additional method
of easing pain, including cancer patients. Massage promotes a sense of overall wellbeing and works to
relax the body and restore a sense of calm and balance to the mind.
Individuals who suffer from mesothelioma, a debilitating and painful form of lung cancer, may greatly
benefit from massage. Massage is not a curative treatment option, but when combined with traditional
cancer treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, massage can be an integral part of a mesothelioma
patient's healing plan. Patients who experience massage in conjunction with other treatments have
reported a lessening of pain and an overall feeling of calm and relaxation.
Massage focuses on the working of specified muscles in attempt to manipulate the tissue and blood
vessels below the surface, increasing blood flow throughout an individual's body. As the muscles are
stimulated, oxygen supply within the body improves, which eases soreness, aches, and pains that
cancer patients may experience as a result of their disease. In the United States, the traditional
Swedish massage is the most popular option, but there are various other areas of massage, including
shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, and Thai massage.
While massage will not cure or lessen the severity of mesothelioma and other forms of cancer, it can
certainly ease the effects and promote a sense of relaxation in cancer patients. Massage is most
helpful in the event that a patient is experiencing anxiety or emotional imbalance due to their traumatic
disease, as it relaxes the entire body and thus induces a general feeling of peacefulness and balance
within the mind and soul. Alternative treatment therapies, including massage, have been shown to
vastly improve the overall health of cancer patients.
Patients who wish to implement massage into their treatment plan should consult with their physician
prior to beginning any new methods.
Oncology Massage
The use of massage therapy as a form of cancer treatment is a fairly young concept within cancer care
protocols. Progressive care such as massage therapy is now being considered more and more by
patients and physicians. Conventionally used as a physical feel-good tool, researchers are now finding
that the psychological and emotional effects of massage therapy can have a positive effect on
individuals, especially cancer patients. However, there is one limiting factor: the lack of certification and
licensing programs for those practicing massage on cancer patients, formally known as oncology
massage.
Oncology massage refers to the form of massage therapy catered to the needs of cancer patients.
Considering each patient's case is unique, it is the therapist's responsibility to be fully educated in the
proper use of massage for various forms of cancer. Although the physical touch of massage has great
benefits for the patient, emotional and psychological aspects need attending to as well. A therapist who
is trained specifically in the field will have the experience and awareness to provide the patient with the
proper care.
The aggressiveness of mesothelioma cancer often requires extreme treatment protocols such as
surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Therapists specifically trained in oncology massage have the
appropriate awareness and experience in complimenting alternative therapy with such conventional
treatments. Palliative treatments like massage therapy are often successful in easing the pain and
discomfort that is often emitted from conventional treatment regimes. Having a therapist that is trained
in oncology massage is extremely important to ensure the patient is receiving adequate treatment.
Aromatherapy
There are essentially two categories of therapy for patients of cancer. Clinical therapies, such as
chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are likely the most medicinally beneficial. However, this is
not to say that other, complementary, therapies are not important as well. These complementary
therapies may not be able to cure the disease, but will often treat the holistic wellbeing of the person.
Among the cancer patients who use these are patients of mesothelioma. One of the more common
complementary therapies used by patients of mesothelioma is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is not for
all mesothelioma patients and offers no cure for the disease. However, when used in conjunction with
other more traditional therapies, aromatherapy has helped many cancer patients' lives to be much
more manageable as they battle their disease.
Aromatherapy, as a therapy, is a relatively recent phenomenon in the complementary treatment of
cancer patients, but its uses can be traced back thousands of years in other capacities. The idea of the
therapy is to stimulate the senses and perceptions in such a way to create a relaxing and calm
environment. The senses are incredibly related to a given person's levels of anxiety. Therefore, when
the senses are relaxed it is possible to ease levels of stress and anxiety in some people. Using certain
essential oils, these scents trigger emotional ease, which can be highly valuable for a patient battling
terminal illness.
In some cases, aroma therapy will be coupled with massage therapies, which can ease the entire body
in both sensory perception and muscle relaxation. In certain trials, certain patients have experienced an
easing of symptoms related to chemotherapy, such as nausea and fatigue, when subjected to
controlled aromatherapy environments. These trials were not clinical in nature and may not
demonstrate the same results in all patients.
It is important to keep in mind with most alternative therapies that they are strictly based on personal
preference and results will vary greatly from one patient to another. It is also important to consult a
physician before engaging in any complementary therapies. Although beneficial, the patient needs to
be conscious of the goals of the traditional therapies first and ensure they are compromised.
(Copied with permission from the Mesothelioma website. For more information on this disease and
traditional treatment methods, please visit their website at Mesothelioma.com and Mesothelioma
Alternative Treatments).
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