Massages?

Unknown

I wanted to give myself a mini treat (I can't go to somewhere fun right now), so I tried to book an appointment for a simple swedish massage with hot stones at a spa that is connected to one of our large hospitals.  They even advertise cancer care as a specialty, and list amoung services reflexology and massage, along with nutritional advice and (of course) exercise classes.  So I was surprised when after I booked my massage, I casually mentioned that I wanted to relax before my next chemo.  She told me they don't do massages on people with cancer or on chemo because it spreads cancer?  She said I would have to have my doctor OK it first.  I was quite taken aback with this because I know my chemo nurse said you can't spread cancer, even if it's in the lymph nodes by doing things like massage.  So I messaged my doctors nurse (sorry to have to bother her about something like this) to ask if he would OK a simple massage.  So tell me, how can a massage spread cancer (supposedly through increased blood flow), and not exercise?  I even googled this, and everything I come up with is this is a myth, not true.  I am just so surprised that a supposedly medical spa would tell me that. 

ConnieSW

I heard this, too

When I researched this 4 years ago, it was controversial but that's about all I remember.  Anyway, my oncologist told me to go ahead.  It was a treat from my daughter while we were on our annual family vacation on Monhegan iIsland.  I had never had one before and surely didn't know what I was missing.  Now it's something I do occasionally.  A couple years ago, I was in PT for back problems (Moderate to severe arthritis according to MRI) My PT massaged my spasming  muscles fo 10 minutes each session and I felt it helped even more than the exercises.  I've had one episode since and I immediately scheduled 2 30 minute massages, concentrating on my back, 2 days apart and it was like a miracle.  I'm a believer in the power of massage.

Unknown

ConnieSW said:

I heard this, too

When I researched this 4 years ago, it was controversial but that's about all I remember.  Anyway, my oncologist told me to go ahead.  It was a treat from my daughter while we were on our annual family vacation on Monhegan iIsland.  I had never had one before and surely didn't know what I was missing.  Now it's something I do occasionally.  A couple years ago, I was in PT for back problems (Moderate to severe arthritis according to MRI) My PT massaged my spasming  muscles fo 10 minutes each session and I felt it helped even more than the exercises.  I've had one episode since and I immediately scheduled 2 30 minute massages, concentrating on my back, 2 days apart and it was like a miracle.  I'm a believer in the power of massage.

My doctor gave his OK

My doctors office got back to me with their OK so I get to keep my appointment.  I am going into my next chemo with a fresh mind, hopefully refreshed body, and am going to make it through to the end.  Hugs Nancy 

NoTimeForCancer

Guess they really aren't so

Guess they really aren't so "medical" afterall.  I guess they might think you can get pregnant by sitting on a toilet seat too!

cindy0519

I get weekly massages and a

I get weekly massages and a weekly accupunture visit through the integrative care services at my cancer center.  Have been getting them since after my hystercetomy in late Oct.  Funny not one person has mentioned any of this though I do recall hearing this when my husband tried to schedule a massage for me sometime after my mastectomy in June.  Seems so odd....Glad you were able to get one scheduled! I think both it and accupunture are really helping me to manage some of the chemo side effects and get some mobility back in my left shoulder after months of not using it much do to all the mastectomy/tissue expander infection related surgeries.

ncg007

Massage

my hospital has a beautiful spa with therapists that special with cancer patients and I've been going right before each chemo treatment with dr approval.  Only thing therapists have mentioned is they refrain from deep tissue massages if you are going through chemo.  I've never heard of massage spreading cancer and I would quesion that persons credibilitY.  Get your dr approval and go and pamper yourself.  Enjoy!

Nancy

Lou Ann M

Massages

I have a friend who is a massage therapist and she told me that a couple of years ago. They were told not to give massages to people with cancer and that that has now changed as long as she did,t massage the areas where the tumors where.  She also had me run it by my oncologist.  He was fine with a massage as long as it was not a deep tissue massage.  I have had several and will be getting a few more hopefully.  They felt absolutely wonderful.  All I need is enough energy to get myself to her place.  Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

EZLiving66

NoTimeForCancer said:

Guess they really aren't so

Guess they really aren't so "medical" afterall.  I guess they might think you can get pregnant by sitting on a toilet seat too!

  That really made me "laugh

  That really made me "laugh out loud!!"  I've heard it too but then read it was just a myth.

Love,

Eldri

EZLiving66

I got a deep tissue massage

I got a deep tissue massage once a month for twenty years.  My massage therapist moved to Chicago and I got cancer.  Therefore, lack of massages causes cancer and I'm "living" proof.  

We have nothing like the cancer centers some of you have described.  When I was at our cancer center in chemo or they were working on my infected port, there was a woman who came around and did hand massages.  I asked her if she could recommend someone who specialized in massage for cancer patients and she said "No."  In my next life when I get cancer I'm going someplace else and THAT'S a promise!!! 

Love,

Eldri

Unknown

EZLiving66 said:

I got a deep tissue massage

I got a deep tissue massage once a month for twenty years.  My massage therapist moved to Chicago and I got cancer.  Therefore, lack of massages causes cancer and I'm "living" proof.  

We have nothing like the cancer centers some of you have described.  When I was at our cancer center in chemo or they were working on my infected port, there was a woman who came around and did hand massages.  I asked her if she could recommend someone who specialized in massage for cancer patients and she said "No."  In my next life when I get cancer I'm going someplace else and THAT'S a promise!!! 

Love,

Eldri

Oh Eldri, you make me laugh

No, in your next life, you are NOT going to get cancer!  however. in this life I think you said you were going on different insurance, if so, I hope you find someone who cares about you.  Yes, I do question where the person I talked with came up with that idea.  She said, they have turned away others they learned were doing chemo, after they had already booked their appt.  But the second gal I talked with today (to ask her if she needed a letter from my doctor), simply said no, they didn't require it, just my word.  It's kind of nuts that this is suppose to be a medical spa, apparently the only thing they can refer to medical is some of the procedures for face, ie lines, wrinkles etc.  I do wonder about their wisdom, boy I hope they really don't think you can get pregnant from toddy seats, but I like the place and it's very nice (the cucumber water is also great).  Some of the places I have been to other times, have been in the back of beauty salons in a small, bare room, or in even less savory places.  That's why I wanted to go there again.  Hugs Nancy

EZLiving66

unknown said:

Oh Eldri, you make me laugh

No, in your next life, you are NOT going to get cancer!  however. in this life I think you said you were going on different insurance, if so, I hope you find someone who cares about you.  Yes, I do question where the person I talked with came up with that idea.  She said, they have turned away others they learned were doing chemo, after they had already booked their appt.  But the second gal I talked with today (to ask her if she needed a letter from my doctor), simply said no, they didn't require it, just my word.  It's kind of nuts that this is suppose to be a medical spa, apparently the only thing they can refer to medical is some of the procedures for face, ie lines, wrinkles etc.  I do wonder about their wisdom, boy I hope they really don't think you can get pregnant from toddy seats, but I like the place and it's very nice (the cucumber water is also great).  Some of the places I have been to other times, have been in the back of beauty salons in a small, bare room, or in even less savory places.  That's why I wanted to go there again.  Hugs Nancy

Well, I did try another

Well, I did try another massage place after my beloved "Tiffiany" moved to Chi-town.  The lady who did it hung from monkey bars on the ceiling...and used her feet to work my sciatic nerve.  It was ok but I was afraid with my streak of bad luck lately, I would get athlete's foot on my back.

Love,

Eldri

TeddyandBears_Mom

EZLiving66 said:

Well, I did try another

Well, I did try another massage place after my beloved "Tiffiany" moved to Chi-town.  The lady who did it hung from monkey bars on the ceiling...and used her feet to work my sciatic nerve.  It was ok but I was afraid with my streak of bad luck lately, I would get athlete's foot on my back.

Love,

Eldri

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha... Eldri!

molimoli

NoTimeForCancer said:

Guess they really aren't so

Guess they really aren't so "medical" afterall.  I guess they might think you can get pregnant by sitting on a toilet seat too!

No Time

Ha Ha! that depends ,nuff said. Too funny with these people and their know nothing selves, I am trying to imagine how the act of promoting circulation would cause a spread but coming up blank.

Moli , saying go for it.

molimoli

EZLiving66 said:

I got a deep tissue massage

I got a deep tissue massage once a month for twenty years.  My massage therapist moved to Chicago and I got cancer.  Therefore, lack of massages causes cancer and I'm "living" proof.  

We have nothing like the cancer centers some of you have described.  When I was at our cancer center in chemo or they were working on my infected port, there was a woman who came around and did hand massages.  I asked her if she could recommend someone who specialized in massage for cancer patients and she said "No."  In my next life when I get cancer I'm going someplace else and THAT'S a promise!!! 

Love,

Eldri

Eldri I swear we need you

I can't stop the laughter.

In your next life don't tango with cancer again ,go for something like bunion then you can have all the foot massages you want.

Moli laughing,thanks for it Eldri

molimoli

unknown said:

Oh Eldri, you make me laugh

No, in your next life, you are NOT going to get cancer!  however. in this life I think you said you were going on different insurance, if so, I hope you find someone who cares about you.  Yes, I do question where the person I talked with came up with that idea.  She said, they have turned away others they learned were doing chemo, after they had already booked their appt.  But the second gal I talked with today (to ask her if she needed a letter from my doctor), simply said no, they didn't require it, just my word.  It's kind of nuts that this is suppose to be a medical spa, apparently the only thing they can refer to medical is some of the procedures for face, ie lines, wrinkles etc.  I do wonder about their wisdom, boy I hope they really don't think you can get pregnant from toddy seats, but I like the place and it's very nice (the cucumber water is also great).  Some of the places I have been to other times, have been in the back of beauty salons in a small, bare room, or in even less savory places.  That's why I wanted to go there again.  Hugs Nancy

massages creates a connection with mind and body

Go for it nancy ,it's always a feel good thing, we all deserve it.

Moli giving the thumbs up.

molimoli

EZLiving66 said:

Well, I did try another

Well, I did try another massage place after my beloved "Tiffiany" moved to Chi-town.  The lady who did it hung from monkey bars on the ceiling...and used her feet to work my sciatic nerve.  It was ok but I was afraid with my streak of bad luck lately, I would get athlete's foot on my back.

Love,

Eldri

I love you Eldri

Thats all I can say , my cheeks are hurting and my eyes are leaking,you are killing us with humor

Moli,

Kaleena

Physical therapy

i was going to physical therapy for my neck and back.  the therapist did do some message therapy but would not use the TENS unit because of my cancer.  She indicated it could activate it?