There are many different forms of cancer, but massage therapy has been proven to provide many benefits during the course of the treatments.
As a complementary therapy, used along with the specific cancer treatment, massage can treat the whole person, rather than focusing on the cancer symptoms. Several studies have shown that massage consistently reduced anxiety and depression in people with cancer. Massage also helped decrease nausea and pain.
Additionally, massage was found to reduce post-treatment fatigue and improve appetite for chemotherapy patients.
In a study specifically focusing on breast cancer patients, massage was proven to increase dopamine and serotonin levels, as well as reducing depressed mood, anxiety and anger.
So while dealing with the often-challenging and rigorous treatment for cancer, massage can help in a variety of ways, including relaxation and dealing with pain, fatigue and other cancer-treatment side effects.
You can help your loved ones undergoing cancer treatment by getting them a massage, so they can get the comfort, relaxation and increased feelings of well-being they need and deserve.