General Wellness Massage

  • Calms the nervous system and relaxes the body
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Reduces heart rate
  • Slows respiration and promotes deeper and effective breathing
  • Loosens tight muscles , improves muscle tone, and relieves cramps and muscle spasms
  • Stretches connective tissue
  • Increases blood and lymph circulation
  • Speeds the removal of metabolic waste and increases tissue metabolism
  • Decreases muscle deterioration
  •  Increases range of motion
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Reduces chronic pain
  • Reduces scarring and swelling
  • Improves posture
  • Reduces tension headaches
  • Stimulates the release of endorphins

Many of the benefits for a general wellness massage would not benefit a patient in treatment.  A massage could actually cause harm if done by a Massage Therapist without special knowledge or awareness of a certain condition.  A Massage Therapist, trained in correct procedures for patients living with cancer, can create a safe massage.  It is always advisable to check with your physician during your treatment time regarding any special concerns.  

 

Comparison of the data from the 2002 and 2007 surveys suggests that overall use of CAM among adults has remained relatively steady—36 percent in 2002 and 38 percent in 2007. However, there has been substantial variation in the use of some specific CAM therapies, such as deep breathing, meditation, massage therapy, and yoga, which all showed significant increases.

 Most common use of CAM Therapies in Adults

The most commonly used CAM therapies among U.S. adults were :

Nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products (17.7 percent) Most common: fish oil/omega 3/DHA, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil or pills, and ginseng***

  • Deep breathing exercises (12.7 percent)
  • Meditation (9.4 percent)
  • Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.6 percent)
  • Massage (8.3 percent)
  • Yoga (6.1 percent).

Adults used CAM most often to treat pain including back pain or problems, neck pain or problems, joint pain or stiffness/other joint condition, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Adult use of CAM therapies for head or chest colds showed a marked decrease from 2002 to 2007 (9.5 percent in 2002 to 2.0 percent in 2007).

Consistent with results from the 2002 data, in 2007 CAM use among adults was greater among:.

  • Women (42.8 percent, compared to men 33.5 percent)
  • Those aged 30-69 (30-39 years: 39.6 percent, 40-49 years: 40.1 percent, 50-59 years: 44.1 percent, 60-69 years: 41.0 percent)
  • Those with higher levels of education (Masters, doctorate or professional: 55.4 percent)
  • Those who were not poor (poor: 28.9 percent, near poor: 30.9 percent, not poor: 43.3 percent)
  • Those living in the West (44.6 percent)
  • Those who have quit smoking (48.1 percent)

According to American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts and Figures for 2008 about 77% of all cancers are diagnosed in persons 55 and older.  The highest use of massage is also in the 50-59 age group. This age group prior to diagnosis already believes that massage is beneficial to their general well-being. When they learn that safe and effective massage is beneficial for the side effects of treatment they will seek out oncology trained Massage Therapists.  Also, this age group will  have grown children that also will have a positive view of massage for general health benefits and possibly use massage after a diagnosis of cancer.


 

 


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