Lymphatic System & Anatomy of a Lymph Node

about. Having the right information is important as it will frame how you put together a treatment session and let me stress this point, you’re not trying to fix the person but having a clearer picture will enable you to deliver the most appropriate massage for your client, with the greatest emphasis on safety.

Like other conditions that affect the tissue and the physiology of the body’s systems, therapists will need to modify their techniques, the positioning, the duration of the session, the depth, speed and the area in which a therapist can work. A massage therapist will also need to consider the type, the location and the effect of both the disease and treatment. The biggest difference, however, is the actual application of the massage.

My main concern about the client history is the information I do not have, there is a hint that her medical background is much more complicated than just being treated for cancer, she has high blood pressure, and she is also being treated for high cholesterol. Another medical condition is the hiatus hernia, does she also suffer from GERDs? Much of her medical history points to a long-term decline in her health, none of the above has happened overnight, hence I want to know more. Further information that would give me a better picture would include what her lifestyle looks like, is she active or sedentary, does she have good dietary habits, what is her social and economic status? This will help me to deliver a treatment that meets my client’s needs, we offer homecare within my cancer course, but it is client specific and appropriate, hence obtaining the right information will direct a therapist to provide a bespoke session. So can you guess what my response was? Don’t treat, too much is going on that requires a greater understanding before you can move forward.

Hi Susan,

I’m treating a client who has had breast cancer. Chemo in 2019, Radio in 2020. Why would she swell up to 24 hours after the session and then swelling disappears after that? She’s made amazing progress in the last couple of months. Lymphoedema has relieved. She was told by the oncology consultant that chemicals in the drugs didn’t cause the swelling. I don’t agree with that. Am I right in my thinking?