Oncology massage for pain management

Massage for pain management

Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is a precision health and integrative medicine doctor – a scientist and educator who founded and directs the Synthesis Clinic in Hampshire, UK.

“After more than a decade in integrative healthcare, I can confidently state that as long as a therapist is qualified in oncology massage – and is not directly massaging over the tumour – there’s no evidence it can cause cancer metastasis,” she says.

“Just increasing blood flow does not spread cancer; to spread, cancer cells must undergo a series of changes in their biology and behaviour, which you cannot induce with massage.

Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel, MB BChir and MA Hons Natural Sciences, MSc Precision Cancer Medicine

“Massage is now being supported in the Integrative Medicine for Pain Management Oncology SIO-ASCO Guidelines. It’s recommended for alleviating pain in patients and survivors of cancer, especially for those experiencing chronic pain following breast cancer treatment or during palliative and hospice care.”

An important part of self-care

Fuller-Shavel believes that feeling connected with another human benefits people’s quality of life: “It’s an important part of self-care that patients can give themselves during cancer treatment. Oncology massage is a very valuable therapy; it can be great for physical and mental wellbeing benefits and helps patients to reconnect with the body in a positive way.”

However, she does caution spas to be aware of the fact that people can have emotional reactions during cancer touch therapy. “It’s vital to train therapists to hold space for this and teach them coping mechanisms and how to seek support themselves,” she explains. “There must always be someone for therapists to escalate their own worries to.

“Sticking to the scope of practice is also vitally important, even for us within the medical field. A qualified cancer touch therapist isn’t a nutritionist or psychologist – equip your team with reputable sources they can direct people to if they open up and ask for advice.

The Oncio app (www.oncio.org) is the first free app available to adults affected by cancer that empowers them to practically put integrative oncology tools and strategies into action. It offers an evidence-informed tool kit that is practical and easy to use.”