Summary of massage therapy applications in cancer care.
Domain
Details
Primary benefits
• Reduction in pain intensity (nociceptive, neuropathic)• Decrease in anxiety and emotional distress• Improved sleep and relaxation
Mechanisms of action
• Activation of pressure receptors → parasympathetic response• Modulation of cortisol and endorphins• Increased circulation and lymphatic flow• Disruption of the pain-tension-anxiety cycle
Common techniques
• Gentle Swedish massage• Manual lymphatic drainage (for appropriate patients)• Hand, foot, back, and scalp massage
Settings for delivery
• Inpatient oncology units• Outpatient infusion clinics• Home care and hospice settings
Implementation considerations
• Oncology-specific training for therapists• Individualized protocols: avoid tumors, surgical wounds, devices (e.g., ports)• Adjust pressure, duration, and technique based on patient tolerance
Contraindications
• Severe thrombocytopenia or neutropenia• Active infections or open wounds• Risk of DVT or lymphedema (without proper clearance)
Safety and consent
• Document in clinical record• Obtain informed consent• Monitor for discomfort or adverse effects during and after the session
Massage therapy should be used as a complementary, not a substitute, intervention. It is most effective when integrated into multidisciplinary supportive and palliative care plans. DVT: deep vein thrombosis.
Declarations
Author contributions
SDG: Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing, Validation, Supervision. The author has read and approved the submitted version.
Conflicts of interest
The author declares that there are no conflicts of interest.
Open Exploration maintains a neutral stance on jurisdictional claims in published institutional affiliations and maps. All opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the author(s) and do not represent the stance of the editorial team or the publisher.
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