Massage or other touch therapies

There are different types of massage therapy. The type of massage a therapist recommends will depend on why it is being given.

Massage can be used to:

• relax your mind and body
• improve your mood
• relieve tension and pain in muscles or tissue
• improve circulation.

Some studies of people with cancer suggest that massage therapy may also help reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue.

There is also a type of massage that can improve circulation in the lymphatic system. This is called manual lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system helps protect us from infection and disease. It drains lymph fluid from the tissues of the body before returning it to the blood. Manual lymphatic drainage encourages lymph to drain out of the affected area and into an area that drains normally.

We have more information about lymphatic drainage for lymphoedema.

Some people worry that massage could cause cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body. Research has not found any evidence of this happening, but massage therapists will avoid any areas affected by cancer, such as tumour sites or lymph nodes. Talk to your cancer doctor or specialist nurse if you are worried.

If a massage therapist is not sure about where on your body it is safe to massage, they might choose to massage your hands or feet instead. The massage therapist must also be properly trained and qualified to treat people with cancer. They should have some knowledge of cancer and its treatments. They can sometimes teach family members or friends how to do basic massages, so they can support you at home.

During your touch therapy, it is important to avoid massage in certain areas. This includes:

• areas that are directly over a tumour or any lymph nodes (glands) affected by cancer
• areas that are bruised or sensitive
• areas being treated with radiotherapy, during treatment and for a few weeks after it finishes
• the area around intravenous catheters (such as central lines) and pain relief patches
• areas affected by blood clots, poor circulation or varicose veins.

It is also important to be particularly gentle if:

• the cancer has spread to your bones 
• you have a low platelet count (platelets are cells that help the blood to clot).

If you usually bleed or bruise easily, or if you have cancer in your bones, speak to your cancer doctor before having massage therapy.

Shiatsu is a type of Japanese massage. Therapists believe that health depends on the balanced flow of energy through certain channels in the body. Their theory is that applying pressure with a finger or hand on these channels helps restore the balance of energy. They may also gently stretch or hold areas of the body to reduce stiffness and soreness.

In a study of people with cancer who had Shiatsu in an NHS hospital, the people who took part said they felt less anxious and more relaxed after it. The reasons they gave for this included:

• spending time with the therapist
• being listened to
• being in a calm atmosphere during the therapy
• aking time to do something nice for themselves.

As with other types of massage, it is important to think about your safety during the massage.

Reflexology is a type of foot or hand massage. The reflexologist applies gentle pressure to specific points on the feet or hands. This is based on the belief that different areas on the feet or hands represent, and are connected to, different parts of the body. But, there is no evidence to support this belief.

Many people say they feel more relaxed after reflexology, and use it to help reduce stress and anxiety.

A session lasts around 30 minutes. If you feel any discomfort during the session, tell your therapist.

Some reflexologists claim that reflexology can help to diagnose health problems, improve symptoms, such as feeling sick (nausea) and prevent illnesses. But, there is no convincing evidence that it has any of these effects. So reflexology should not be used in this way as part of cancer care.