34 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k s e p te m b e r/o c to b e r 2 0 2 1
even with the lightest stimulus of any kind,
can arise from small-fiber damage. And if
agents of the autonomic nervous system
are affected, then the patient may develop
intolerance to heat, excessive sweating,
gastrointestinal symptoms, and problems
with the regulation of blood pressure.
CIPN AND MASSAGE—AND
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
My recommendation for working with
clients dealing with cancer and the
consequences of cancer treatment is
to seek out advanced education to be
knowledgeable enough to offer safe and
effective massage therapy to this population.
As we consider potential risks and
benefits for massage therapy in the context
of a client who is living with CIPN, a few
variables are important to pin down. We
need to know what they are treating with
their chemotherapy, and at what stage of
their treatment they are. We need to know
what other complications of their cancer
or cancer treatments might be present.
And we need to know how their CIPN
affects them—with the understanding that
symptoms can change from one day to the
next.
Once we have managed the possible
risks, which may include suppressed
immunity, bone and organ involvement,
and several other issues, we can think
about what kind of touch might be most
supportive and helpful. This is where it gets
really interesting.
As we mentioned, one of the challenges
with CIPN is that it doesn't respond well to
most treatment interventions. And because
it can be severe enough to require that a
chemotherapy regimen be interrupted, it
can put patients at risk for poorer outcomes.
If only there were a way to deal with CIPN
that was gentle, safe, and well-accepted by
patients . . .
I have some good news! A handful of
small-scale studies, including case reports
and clinical trials, suggest that skilled
massage therapy could have a positive
impact on CIPN, both as a treatment
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