Manipulative and Body Based Practices — Massage Therapy

A general term that includes various body-work therapies, massage therapy physically interacts with bones and soft tissues, while also working with the energy pathways, or meridians, of the body. Massage therapy consists of hands-on stroking, kneading, friction, percussive, or vibratory movements (Arkko, Pakarinen, & Kari-Koskinen, 1983; Ernst, 2003). With an emphasis on restoring health, massage produces therapeutic effects by mechanical pressure, reflex action, and by influencing the metabolic processes of the body. Generally employed for pain reduction, massage therapy has been used with the intention to alleviate stress and muscle cramping, induce relaxation, improve circulation and lymph flow, promote muscle tone, increase range of motion, and encourage recovery from injuries and medical procedures.

Dating back from descriptions in early Chinese and Indian writings from approximately the 8th century BC, massage therapy has been recommended throughout history for a variety of medical and surgical conditions (Cole & Stovell, 1991; Field, 2002). Most of the great ancient cultures of the world have recorded the use of massage or rubbing techniques. By the late 14th Century the practice was organized into an academic discipline within medical institutions (Cline, 2000).

Potential Application for Children with Cancer

Massage may be a supportive therapy that can be readily applied, either by credentialed massage therapists or by parents who have learned massage techniques with a licensed therapist. Pediatric massage and reflexology are some of the most appropriate massage techniques to use in this population. Massage therapy in children with cancer need not be aggressive in nature to achieve its maximum potential, as many research studies report on the benefits of massage techniques which are light to medium in pressure.

It is suggested that those patients receiving radiation should not be massaged within the field of radiation treatment so as not to further irritate the irradiated skin (Gecsedi, 2002). Special precautions for those patients receiving chemotherapy include avoiding areas of skin breakdown, adjusting the amount of pressure for those at risk for thrombocytopenia-induced bruising and peripheral neuropathy, and minimizing massage movements that create a rocking motion in patients with nausea or vomiting.

Specific concerns associated with massage use among younger children and adolescents may include fear of massage being administered by a stranger and apprehensions around touch and body image. In order to gain a child's trust, it is often helpful to demonstrate first what massage is on the parent, allowing the child to visualize the technique. Parents can then encourage the child that massage is safe. Initiating the massage at the feet may also allow the child to recognize the potential calming and soothing benefits of massage on a non-invasive area of the body almost immediately. The massage practitioner should be aware of young adolescents who have modesty or body image issues, and work on the limbs before proceeding to the back or other areas of the body. By allowing the child to voice where their pain is located, the child may feel more in control and more willing to proceed with a massage session. Parents can also be educated by the massage practitioner on massage and reflexology techniques to provide massage to their child at home.

How is massage used in the hospital and outpatient clinic?

Utilizing a combination of massage modalities including Swedish massage, shiatsu, tui-na, aromatherapy massage, and infant massage, our massage therapists visit both patients and family members in the out-patient clinic and hospital, providing sessions which generally last between 10 minutes to 1 hour. Our massage therapists incorporate various massage techniques to alleviate common side-effects and promote relaxation. An Integrative Therapies Program licensed massage therapist is available for a consult Monday thru Thursday, 9am - 5pm.

Additional Information

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is the professional association representing the massage field and provides accreditation, education, and research. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork administers the national certification exam and certifies massage therapists. The practice of massage therapy is not regulated in the United States by all states, and the laws and requirements vary by state such that each state has set licensing, registration or certification laws that require a variable amount of education and training hours. The AMTA maintains a current list of states with massage practice laws on their website (American Massage Therapy Association, 2006).

Resources

Arkko, P. J., Pakarinen, A. J., & Kari-Koskinen, O. (1983). Effects of whole body massage on serum protein, electrolyte and hormone concentrations, enzyme activities, and hematological parameters. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 4, 265-267.

Ernst, E. (2003). The safety of massage therapy. Rheumatology (Oxford, England), 42, 1101-1106. Cole, J., & Stovell, E. (1991). Exercise and massage in health care through the ages. Occasional Papers on Medical History of Australia, 5, 42-48.

Field, T. (2002). Massage therapy. Medical Clinics of North America, 86, 163-171. Cline, K. (2000). Chinese pediatric massage: A practitioner's guide. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. Gecsedi, R. A. (2002). Massage therapy for patients with cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 6, 52-54.

American Massage Therapy Association (2006). States with massage practice laws [On-line]. Retrieved November 17, 2006, from: http://amtamassage.org/about/lawstate.html

Last updated: October 13, 2009