The caring and sympathetic touch of a trained massage therapist can help many patients with the side effects of oncology treatments and those who suffer from chronic pain.

While massages have been viewed in the past as a treat or luxury for special occasions, more research is showing that massage can lead to better health outcomes.

“Studies are showing that massage therapy can help with injury, sickness and disease,” said Kat O’Leary, a licensed massage therapist with UCHealth Integrative Medicine Clinic in Steamboat Springs. “There is a definite shift in attitude, as more people are using massage therapy to assist with health and wellness rather than solely because it just makes you feel good. It’s also a way to help with recovery and manage pain stress.”

About 30% of massage appointments at the clinic are with patients in the areas of oncology and pain management.

How does massage therapy work?

By applying direct pressure on “trigger points” or areas of muscle tightness in the body that might be holding onto pain or stress, the body can then release the spasms, she said.

“Massage therapy has a sort of healing touch to it that can help relieve tension in the body and assist with pain relief, stress management and relaxation,” said O’Leary. “It can be very helpful to have a physical space where people can relax mentally and emotionally and de-stress.

“We hear so much about how people hold onto stress in the body. For patients going through treatment for cancer or other illnesses, we hear from them about how much they feel that massage therapy contributes to their ongoing wellness regimen.”

During what can be a grueling schedule of chemotherapy, radiation, bloodwork and tests, having a dedicated time that doesn’t include injections or infusions can be a huge emotional and physical relief for patients.

“They come to us and tell us what they need,” said O’Leary. “Perhaps they are sore from radiation treatments or from where they have had a lot of invasive procedures. They can say, ‘I just want to focus on my needs and relax for a few moments.'”

O’Leary caters her technique and the amount of massage pressure she applies based on what the patient needs and whether the situation calls for gentle or deep tissue massage.

“Massage can help in so many scenarios,” said O’Leary. “A lot of patients dealing with cancer and autoimmune disorders have nerves and tissues that are aggravated or compressed. Massage can ease that tension and hopefully, create a little more space for those areas to continue to heal.”

Helping with patients with pain management

The pain management aspect of massage therapy, whether it’s dealing with pain from cancer treatment or chronic pain from accidents or auto immune disorders, is a complementary therapy that patients can turn to.

“While a lot of patients are using massage as way to prevent or recover from injury, it also is helpful for patients facing cancer and other illnesses,” said O’Leary. “Patients are receiving a diagnosis that will change their lives. Having an appointment in their daily or weekly treatment routine where they can destress and relax and feel the benefits to their body is huge.”

Patients in remission still experiencing the effects of chemo and radiology can feel improvement as O’Leary “opens up” space for nerves to heal and brings blood flow back to those areas affected by neuropathy, or nerve damage.

Not only is massage therapy non-invasive, but it’s a way to find relief that doesn’t involve medication.

“It’s another tool in their kit that they can use to regain their health and return to the life they want,” said O’Leary.

She hopes patients dealing with the stress of a disease or illness try massage therapy and seek relief before pain sets in, and not just when they are feeling bad.

“It’s something that can really benefit a person’s life during stressful and painful periods and move them in the direction they want to go,” said O’Leary. “Working with these patients has been so rewarding – you see the relief that you are bringing to them and it’s very validating. They can leave the trauma of their illness behind for an hour or so.”

Mary Gay Broderick writes for UCHealth. She can be reached at marygaybroderick@comcast.net.