Freephone helpline 0808 808 5555
[email protected]
www.lymphomas.org.uk
Massage therapy for people
with lymphoma
Massage is a common term used to describe a number of techniques for a type of
complementary therapy that can bring about physical and mental wellbeing. While
there is not much evidence about massage and lymphoma, people with lymphoma
often find that having a massage can help them manage their condition more
effectively by alleviating some symptoms and enhancing feelings of relaxation.
It is important to make sure you do your research before deciding on the most
appropriate type of massage for you and that you find a qualified massage therapist.
Make sure your doctor or nurse is happy for you to go ahead with massage therapy.
They will be able to advise on any precautions.
In this article we aim to answer the following questions:
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What is massage therapy? (page 1)
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What are the benefits of massage? (page 1)
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I have lymphoma – is it safe to have a massage? (page 2)
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What are the different types of massage? (page 3)
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What does massage involve? (page 3)
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How can I find the right therapist? (page 4)
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How much will it cost? (page 5)
What is massage therapy?
Massage is a therapy which involves touching, pressing and manipulation of the body’s
soft tissues for therapeutic purposes. Any part of the body can be massaged and you
will be able to talk to your therapist about which parts of your body you want treated.
Massage works the muscles and soft tissues, while also stimulating blood circulation
and assisting the lymphatic system, which helps eliminate waste from the body.
What are the benefits of massage?
Massage has been shown to help people by reducing:
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pain
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fatigue
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stress
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nausea
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anxiety
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depression.
The benefits of massage are short-lived and maintained only if you have regular
treatment. People find it is a very relaxing experience which can give a ‘good’ feeling
for a period of time and can help improve your quality of sleep. There is not much
evidence showing exactly how massage actually helps. However, it is thought that
some types of gentle massage, such as aromatherapy, stimulate nerve endings which
might release endorphins – the ‘feel good’ hormone. Massage can help with muscle
and joint pain, and can increase your range of movement. For example, slightly firmer
massage should stimulate blood circulation and your lymphatic system. This can help
relax muscles and ease the knotted tissues that can cause pain and stiffness.
People living with a health problem often report a feeling of wellbeing after having a
massage. It can be a positive experience to connect with your body. It can sometimes
feel quite emotional if you have felt differently about your body since developing
lymphoma. Massage can also help reduce some of the side effects of treatment.
I have lymphoma – is it safe to have a massage?
There is very little evidence about the use of massage for people with lymphoma.
Some people with lymphoma worry that having a massage might spread their
disease. There is no evidence to suggest that gentle massage is unsafe, but health
professionals suggest that it is best to avoid areas of the body which are currently
being treated, and that you limit massage to around 20–30 minutes.
There are a number of things you can bear in mind to make sure you don’t overdo
things.
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Ask your therapist to keep the pressure quite light – you can ask them to
demonstrate before the massage begins.
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Avoid heavy massages such as Swedish massage.
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Consider having an aromatherapy massage – this is lighter and very relaxing.
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Consider having a hand or foot massage first if you are unsure about trying a body
massage.
Make sure you tell the therapist where your lymphoma is active so they avoid
putting any pressure directly on those areas.
Avoid massage on any areas of the skin which are dry or damaged as this can
irritate.
You should always talk to your doctor or nurse before going for a massage so that
they can confirm it is safe for you at this time. They will also take into account whether
you have any other health conditions which might make it unsuitable for you.
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What are the different types of massage?
There are many different types but examples of the most popular in the UK are:
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aromatherapy – a lighter massage using specially chosen aromatic oils to enhance
relaxation
Indian head massage (or chair massage) – popular for back or shoulder massage;
no need to undress
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reflexology – applying pressure usually to your feet but sometimes to the hands
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shiatsu – an ancient Japanese massage technique using the fingers
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sports massage – for helping sports injuries
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Swedish massage – a popular all-over body massage which uses heavier pressure.
Talk to your therapist about your specific needs as not all the examples listed are
suitable for people with lymphoma or other types of cancer, particularly if you are
currently undergoing active treatment. Many find that aromatherapy or reflexology are
the most suitable.
What does massage involve?
When you attend your first appointment, the therapist will talk to you about your
health and medical history. Make sure you tell them about your lymphoma and where
you are affected. They might ask to contact your GP or hospital just to make sure that
they are happy for you to have massage therapy.
Massage is usually carried out directly on the skin using oil or lotion for smooth
movement. This means that you would remove some of your clothing before the
therapist begins working. The therapist will tell you which items you need to remove.
They will usually leave the room while you change and will provide you with a towel or
blanket to cover up with.
Most massages take place on a flat bed. If you are having your back massaged you
will be asked to lie on your front. The beds have a hole which you put your face over
so that you are comfortable and can breathe easily. The therapist will guide you when
they need you to move when other areas are to be massaged.
Relaxing music is usually played while the massage takes place. Some therapists chat
during a massage but, if you want a deeply relaxing experience, you could ask them to
talk only when they need to. They won’t mind.
The therapist will use their hands and fingers to massage your body on the areas you
have agreed. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, secure and safe.
Be clear on how long you want the massage to last and do tell them if you feel the
pressure is a little heavy.
When deciding which areas you want to be massaged, you might choose the area of
your body which is giving you most trouble – for example, tense shoulders, sore back
or aching legs.
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Once the massage is finished, the therapist might offer you a glass of water and will
leave the room while you get changed.
Massage is a cleansing and detoxifying experience. You might feel a bit light-headed
and tired when you get up. It can put you in a deeply relaxed state so make sure you
do not plan to do too much afterwards. Take it easy for a few hours and avoid alcohol.
How can I find the right therapist?
It is best to have your massage done by a trained professional. It is not a legal
requirement in the UK for massage therapists to be registered. This means you need
to be extra-cautious when searching for the right one for you.
Contact some of the massage organisations to request a list of therapists in
your area.
● Ask organisations if they know of any therapists who have experience in treating
people with cancer or, specifically, lymphoma. There are some addresses at the
end of this article.
● If you want to be all the more confident about choosing a therapist, you could look
for a doubly qualified massage therapist who understands the disease process
and will ask the right questions – this could be a nurse working from a cancer
care centre, hospice or hospital. If they are working in this environment as a lead
therapist they should have been screened by the centre to ensure they have
the correct qualifications. You can check by asking if the therapist is a nurse (or
physiotherapist), as well as a therapist with a full licence through a professional
body. Some centres employ therapists who have no medical background. This is
acceptable as long as they are overseen by a lead therapist.
● If you are visiting a new therapist for the first time, ask them if they would mind
showing you the pressure they will be using on your hand first.
● Here are some suggestions for questions to ask a therapist before you start
treatment:
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What qualifications do you have?
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How many years of experience do you have?
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Have you treated many people with lymphoma or cancer before?
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Do you have adequate indemnity insurance?
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Are you a member of a professional body?
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How much does the treatment cost and how often should I come?
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How much will it cost?
You will normally specify the type of massage you want to have when you book your
appointment. You can also then tell them how long a session you want. Both will
affect the cost.
Costs can differ depending on which part of the country you are in and the type of
establishment. Generally though, a 30-minute massage should cost you around
£20–£30. Although it is more common to pay for massage therapy privately, it might
be worthwhile asking your GP whether they can refer you for treatment on the NHS.
There might be a local cancer care centre which provides complementary therapies.
By doing your research and finding the right therapist for you, you can feel more
confident about trying massage therapy and, hopefully, enjoy the experience.
Useful sources of further information about massage
therapists
General Council for Massage Therapy (GCMT)
0870 850 4452
[email protected] www.gcmt.org.uk/
The GCMT is a group of organisations working together to produce common
standards. They have details of all the massage therapy organisations that are
members on their website. Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
0203 178 2199 [email protected]
www.cnhc.org.uk
CNHC gives the public access to a list of complementary healthcare practitioners who
have been assessed as meeting national standards of competence and practice.
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to Dr Jacqui Stringer, clinical lead for complementary therapies at
The Christie NHS Trust for reviewing this article.
Selected references
Tavares M. National Guidelines for the Use of Complementary Therapies in Supportive
and Palliative Care. The Prince of Wales’s Foundation for Integrated Health The National
Council for Hospice and Specialist Palliative Care Services, May 2003.
Improving Supportive and Palliative Care for Adults with Cancer. National Institute of
Health and Clinical Excellence, March 2004.
Improving Outcomes in Haematological Cancers. National Institute for Health and
Clinical Excellence, October 2003.
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How we can help you
We provide:
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a free helpline providing information and emotional support  0808 808 5555 (9am–6pm
Mondays–Thursdays; 9am–5pm Fridays) or  [email protected]
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free information sheets and booklets about lymphoma
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a website with forums – www.lymphomas.org.uk
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the opportunity to be put in touch with others affected by lymphoma through our
buddy scheme
a nationwide network of lymphoma support groups.
How you can help us
We continually strive to improve our information resources for people affected by lymphoma
and we would be interested in any feedback you might have on this article. Please visit
www.lymphomas.org.uk/feedback or email [email protected]
if you have any comments. Alternatively please phone our helpline on 0808 808 5555.
We make every effort to ensure that the information we provide is accurate but it
should not be relied upon to reflect the current state of medical research, which is
constantly changing. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult
your doctor.
The Lymphoma Association cannot accept liability for any loss or damage resulting
from any inaccuracy in this information or third party information such as
information on websites which we link to. Please see
our website (www.lymphomas.org.uk) for more
information about how we produce our information.
© Lymphoma Association
PO Box 386, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2GA
Registered charity no. 1068395
Updated: March 2013
Next planned review: 2015
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