Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/82405
PATHOLOGY PERSPECTIVES For anyone interested in oncology massage, the Society for Oncology Massage (www.s4om.org) is doing important work and would love to help you. RADIATION Radiation is the use of high-energy waves to "burn" or kill cancer cells in specific targets. It is a frequently used strategy in many cancers, but tends to have a fallback position in the treatment of refractory, or treatment-resistant, blood cancers. STEM CELL OR BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT Harvested stem cells, healthy marrow cells from the patient, or cells from a matching donor can sometimes be transplanted into blood cancer patients, but this requires that virtually all functioning bone marrow be killed off first. These procedures are highly risky, and the incidence of life- threatening complications is high. BIOLOGIC THERAPIES Biologic therapies are in use for some forms of blood cancers. These include using interferon to enlist the immune system in more aggressive cancer fighting; specially sensitized antibodies may be targeted against cancer cells, or "cancer vaccines" can alter the way the immune system behaves in this context. These therapies are relatively new among the cancer- treating arsenal, but they hold great promise for fighting cancer without accumulating the immense amount of collateral damage that occurs with the more traditional chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical options. IMPLICATIONS FOR MASSAGE Blood cancers, by definition, spread through the lymphatic and circulatory systems. They involve seriously impaired immunity and create a tendency to bleed easily. Myeloma adds the complication of delicate, unstable bones, especially in the pelvis and spine. All of them involve treatment options that make some of their worst complications even worse for a period of time. Obviously, bodywork that requires a strong adaptive response is not appropriate in this context. But far from the "cancer and massage don't go in the same sentence" paradigm that many of us grew up in, the research on the benefits of massage for cancer patients is strong and compelling. Types of bodywork that enlist the healing energies of the client (as opposed to imposing outside forces on blood flow or tissue manipulation) are helpful and supportive for a person going through a difficult, stressful, and often painful process. Through bodywork, we can offer pain relief, anxiety reduction, the mitigation of some of the side effects of chemotherapy, improved appetite, and sleep. Perhaps, more than anything, we can offer touch that is not task-oriented at a time when our clients feel like patients more than like people. It is important in this situation to work as part of a well-informed health-care team, so that the possibility of secondary infection or other complications can be carefully avoided. What a wonderful gift you can offer your clients! Massage Therapy Foundation, and a writer and educator. She wrote A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009), now in its fourth edition, which is used in massage schools worldwide. Werner is available at www.ruthwerner.com or wernerworkshops@ruthwerner.com. Ruth Werner is the president of the "Lymphoma." WebMd. Accessed May 2011. www.emedicinehealth. com/lymphoma/article_em.htm. "Hematologic (Blood) Cancers." Resources Balentine, j., and M. stoppler. Accessed May 2011. www.emedicinehealth. com/myeloma/article_em.htm. "Leukemia." national Institute on Centers for disease Control and Prevention. Accessed May 2011. www. cdc.gov/cancer/hematologic. Hu, W., et al. "Myeloma." WebMd. Aging. Accessed May 2011. http:// nihseniorhealth.gov/leukemia/toc.html. Walton, t. Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy: A Decision Tree Approach. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011. Werner, r. A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology. 4th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009. "What You need to know About Hodgkin Lymphoma." national Cancer Institute. Accessed May 2011. www.cancer. gov/cancertopics/wyntk/hodgkin/AllPages. "What You need to know About Leukemia." national Cancer Institute. Accessed May 2011. www.cancer.gov/ cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/AllPages. "What You need to know non-Hodgkin Lymphoma." national Cancer Institute. Accessed May 2011. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ non-hodgkin-lymphoma/AllPages. About Multiple Myeloma." national Cancer Institute. Accessed May 2011. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/ wyntk/myeloma/AllPages. "What You need to know About Boost your practice with ABMP's Website Builder—free for members on ABMP.com 105