Breast Cancer and Massage

[zenjanthropus]

Hi, I am a new Massage Therapist, just graduated one year ago this month. I have just gone through breast cancer treatment for the 2nd time. ( recent double mastectomy, chemo, and now anti-hormone therapy, long term.) Surgery in Sept, finished chemo 12/5 of this year. This is my 2nd bout with breast cancer, though the 1st cancer(9 years ago) was unrelated to the most recent.Since the lymph nodes had rerouted themselves, it was unclear of any lymph gland involvement...hence the chemo. Pre-op scans looked negative for metastisis and that is the general belief of the docs.I received mixed messages in school and/or no clear cut guildlines with regular massage therapy and cancer. Can anyone tell me when it is considered "safe" to have a regular(I like fairly deep pressure) massage? I went to a cancer center the other night and had a massage therapist for cancer patients give me a massage. Though it was lovely, it was light touch and I really miss having the firmer pressure. Sorry this is so wordy & that I don't post often. I am new so I lurk a lot yet. Thank you for your input!!

 

[Christen]

Hi SSK, I am fairly new on this website also. I am enjoying it thoroughly. I am so sorry to hear of your 2 serparate bouts with cancer, but also very glad to hear that you have some positive news coming from the Doctors. Positive thoughts and energy go a long way in the battle with cancer.
I am certified in mastectomy massage through Cheryl Chapman's Cancer and Massage seminars. I have several clients in your same situation. The general thought on chemo/radiation/ breast cancer is that even though no lymph nodes were removed they could be compromised, therefore increasing your risk of lymphodema. I couldn't gather from your posting whether or not you had any removed, but even one being taken for a biopsy can put you at a risk. All of my clients had nodes removed, I try to go lighter on the quadrant where they had surgery and or chemo/radiation. If deeper pressure or massage techniques that ellicit a inflammatory response are used it can trigger swelling and even a slight amount can cause a back up of fluids if the lymphatic system is compromised in any way. So, the biggest question is whether or not any of your treatments affected your lymphatic system.
The majority of reviews that I have read indicate that there is no reason to think that the cancer cells themselves can be moved thoughout the body's sytem and spread the cancer. There are some great articles on this if you Google: Tiffany Field - Touch Research Institutes. Good luck, I hope this helps, I am one of those people who can have such clear concise thoughts but when I start applying those thoughts to print they all get jumbled..!!

 

[R...]

Dear Cabwy.Thank you so much for your response. The answer to lymph node removal is yes 13 removed -9 yrs ago and 2 this time-only for tests and were negative. Gratefully, so far, no lymphadema issues. That is very helpful information. I think the concern the teachers had was that massage could possibly could move the cancer around and that soon became my concern as you can imagine, since this is the 2nd time. Thank you so much for the information I will Google Tiffiny. By the way, I understood your post completely....you are a very good communicater. Sue

 

[Medic]

The theory is that if massage could spread cancer cells, then why wouldn't anyone who exercises ( or any other activity that increases circulation) do so also? And!! If your second bout was in no way related to the same type of cancer as the first time, well, I am thinking that if cancer cells had spread then it would have been the same type.
Just be careful with deeper pressure in the upper quadrants. My clients were told not to even have a blood pressure cuff on the arm that was affected by the surgery. That gives an idea of the pressure involved. I must follow up and say, though, that I can give them all good therapeutic massages, just no friction or really deep sustained pressure,, but most definitely smooth steady effleurage with light to moderate pressure.
Sooo glad that I spotted your note and that my posting made sense!!

Good luck dear,,, have you thought about possibly some Reiki? I would think that you getting certified in Reiki I, then you could Reiki yourself.

 

[Olivia D]

The excercise/massage theory makes sense. In school they were quite vague, almost evasive about cancer and massage.. I am a bit confused with the quadrants that you speak of. Are you speaking of the whole upper body area in my case..? Or upper outer quadrants(arms?) If it is the whole upper half of the body, that is frustrating, as my neck(scalenes, scm,levator scap)is what really gives me grief and the deep pressure is what gives me great relief. I am quite careful of sticks, b.p.'s, tight clothes, etc. to the arms, but I have to choose the lesser of two evils (right arm) in my case as nodes have been removed from both. Considered Reiki? No... though I many really get comfort from it. Spiritually and emotionaly, I feel very secure, strong, and healed to the point I believe I am cured of this unwelcome visiter. Just don't want to do anything unwise. Thank you again for your time. You have been most kind. Sue

 

[kaleb segal]

Yes, unfortunately, in your case that would be your entire upper body. But!! There are lots of modalities that will still give you relief without using such deep and invasive pressure.
Whoever works on you should also follow the rule of thumb of working proximal to distal --meaning they should use light strokes to your areas closest to the affected lymph areas.
I usually start a massage for those affected areas by lightly stroking over the clavicles bi laterally and then working the neck area, then easing into the arms and hands.
This way you get the affected areas open and "flowing" so to handle any of the extra fluid that might need to be moved. Or that might be created by the body work.
In layman's term you need to open up the "dammed up" areas first.
This is alot to try to put into words - I hope it continues to make sense.
Again, I have clients who previously loved deep pressure and I can still give them relief, I just need to go about it a little differently. You will just need to re-educate your tissues to respond to a different level of massage applictions. You really should find someone ceritfied in Massage for the Cancer Patient or at least Mastectomy Massage, it will make a world of difference.!!

Good luck, dear. You sound like you will do just fine. From what you have said I wouldn't feel apprehensive in giving moderate pressure with your bodywork. Sometimes work on the anterior portion of the body will release the neck and shoulders,,, it all just needs to be thought out and applied properly.

 

[Baby Ruth]

Sue, I just re read your first posting,, I see that you found a massage therapist who is familiar with massage for Cancer Patients.
I imagine that she proceeded with caution until she sees how you will respond- maybe return and talk with her and get some sort of game plan where you feel more relief in those tight shoulders. don't give up! It can be worked out. No pun intended, laughing here.....
ALso, try to find some literature written by Cheryl Chapman or Gayle Mcdonald. Gayle, especially, has several books on the subject.

 

[Here_comes_the_Sun]

Thank you Cabwy. I haven't had a chance to look these ladies up. The holidays soon will be over and I will certainly look into them both. Thanks again for your time. Your information has been super helpful.Sue

 

[raypay2003]

Sue, I hope you are still checking up on this thread because I have some information to add. I am currently in the process of earning certification in oncology massage, and I would like to go into a little more detail regarding a few things cabwy said.

For at least the first year after receiving chemotherapy, it is unadvisable for you to receive deep tissue massage anywhere on your body. The reason for this is that it can take one year or more for the chemicals to completely exit your system, and receiving deep massage would very likely reproduce some of the same side-effects that you experienced while receiving the chemo.

Regarding future massage to your upper quadrant - the lines of the upper quadrant fall at the waist and below the clavicle and below the superior border of the scapula, arms included. Due to your lymph node removal, besides never receiving deep tissue work in that entire area, there are many special guidelines to follow to help avoid lymphedema, such as no blood pressure cuff (as mentioned), no heavy lifting, no injections, be extra careful about getting cuts there, and a bandage is recommended when flying.

But, as cabwy said, there are many other techniques suitable for you that can provide great relief. Seeking out an MLD specialist is a great idea, even if only to consult with them because afterall, they are the specialists in dealing with this sort of trauma. Any form of bodywork that does not increase circulation is fine, such as gentle acupressure, or energy work such as reiki. Reflexology on your feet can produce amazing results for your entire body as well.

The great news is, as long as you had no lymph nodes in your neck removed, you can continue to recieve deep work on your traps and above - the therapist just needs to be extra careful to not engage the tissue below the upper scapular border and clavicle. And in less than a year, you can probably safely receive all the deep tissue work you want on your gluts and legs, yay!

If you would like to verify this information or have further questions, I suggest that you contact specialists who have been working in the field for years, such as Gayle MacDonald, Tracy Walton, or Isabel Adkins. You can find their info on the web.

Best wishes to you

 

[E-Man]

Thank you cy. It has been awhile since I followed this thread. Thank you for following up with it. I got some info from a local MT who was educated in the cancer massage(but I think it's been quite awhile since her training) and she said 3 mo....& any kind of massage work/pressure would be o.k. So, I did get a deep pressure swedish few weeks ago, and frankly, I don't feel so well. I had another stressor in my life (took a job that did not turn out)so was completely stressed out and since quit. But, specifically, as you said, just like I feel just like I did during chemo. I thought I was better, and have been quite confused by the way I have been feeling..... quite fatigued, and leg problems.(the chemo kind) . I appreciate your post. Thank you. I was set up for a trade in the deeper pressure swedish in a couple of weeks, I will postpone that as a result of your insight & education. My chemo ended in december, so I will wait. I am looking forward to getting back to feeling normal again, and without any more setbacks. Thanks . Sue

 

[Chrissy Grace]

Sue,
You are most welcome, and thank you for sharing your experience and insight with us. If you are looking for a therapist who is trained in Oncology Massage, there is a new group called the Society for Oncology Massage. http://www.s4om.org lists practitioners across the country. We are a small group at the moment, but will continue to grow, so if you don't see someone in your area, keep checking back!
Heather

 

[maskedone]

SSK, I really wish you the best. You are positioning yourself so thoughtfully toward the "unwelcome visitor," I hope you feel much better soon.

I wanted to ask the group whether there are any different thoughts on deep tissue for the upper quadrant for clients with removed lymph nodes? I have a new client who had most lymph nodes removed in one axilla (none in the other or in the neck), and prior to me received three years of therapy with an MT (now deceased) who provided deep tissue as well as lymph drainage in those areas. The client has experienced no lymphadema and praises this MT mightily. I have backed off on the depth, but she has a chronic right shoulder condition that I feel may not respond unless I work more deeply. (she comes every three weeks and is unlikely to do more.)

 

[Mighty Saints!!]

Dear Heather, thank you very much for the link. I will certainly check it out. I am feeling much better now...really focusing on taking care of myself 1st now, and not going to be in such a big hurry to "be normal" lol. ...and really looking forward to a good massge...for cancer patients. Thanks. Sue