Head Massage

[Marisa]

Today I visited a Young Farmers Show and there was a lovely lady doing head massages. She was hesitant to give me one because of my cancer. Does anyone know if it is safe or inadvisable to have one and whether the effects would be of benefit ?

[Skyshark]

Chemo day care they had someone going round offering foot massages.

Massaging any lumpy lymph nodes should be avoided except by people that are trained in lymph node massage.

[Marisa in reply to Skyshark]

Thank you . That is what I have always understood. I know this is a silly question, but are there lymph nodes behind the ear ?,,, I thought the head would be ok as there isn’t that much to go wrong, is there? I have always been reluctant to have massages elsewhere because of the lymph node problem. I currently can’t feel any as am having treatment with Venetoclax and doctor says that my bloods have actually improved.

[Skyshark in reply to Marisa]

Yes there are lymph nodes behind the ear.

If you are on Ven+O they should all have gone by about the end of titration to full dose or in the first few months for Ven mono.

[cajunjeff]

Marisa, I am aware of some oldewives tales (why aren’t they old husband tales) out there that say massages spread cancer. My guess is that while the massage lady you describe may have been well intentioned, she’s just not that well informed.

How would a massage worsen a blood cancer anyway? Those of us with cll have lymphocytes with corrupted dna that divide, multiply and do not die a regular death. Even if she could actually massage a lymphocyte, I doubt the lymphocyte would care one way or the other.

You ask if the effects of a massage could be of benefit. To the extent massages can be relaxing, calming and loosen muscles and joints, I would say yes there is can be benefit. Cll can cause stress and reducing that stress can be of great benefit. They even have people that do oncology massages for that reason.

Can a massage benefit us by treating or somehow acting upon our cancer? I pretty sure thats a no. If anyone has any real evidence a massage would help my Cll directly, please post it. I would so much rather take massages than acalabrutinib.

Here is an article on oncology massages you might find helpful:

wcrf-uk.org/our-blog/massag...

However, the number one reason that therapists or businesses may refuse to treat you is the fear that the act of massage could spread cancer cells to other parts of your body.

I am happy to report that there is simply no scientific evidence to support this belief. If you are, however, still unsure about getting a massage it’s best to speak to your specialist cancer nurse, as they are the most up-to-date with your medical history and should be able to answer any queries.

[Marisa]

thank you.

[KatieBlue]

my massage therapist wanted me to clear it with my oncologist before starting with her. When she discovered I was going to start treatment she did additional checking for herself because of concerns about her potential exposure to chemo chemicals.

Since mine was a targeted therapy vs a traditional chemo, and after consultation with her trusted sources, she was okay with continuing to work with me.

To be fair, her massage was more along the lines of intense Rolfing and involved 90 minute sessions.

[Marisa]

thank you. My one concern was lymph nodes. She admitted that she needed to look into it more

[Katie-LMHC-Artist]

Massage spreading cancer is a myth. The American Cancer Society lists massage as a beneficial “treatment” for muscle pain and stress. 😊

[thompsonellen2]

When the new University of Cincinnati Healing Center opens this summer, one of the services that will be available as part of the "whole person approach" will be massage. uchealth.com/en/media-room/...

[Smakwater]

Here are some insights Marisa,

patientpower.info/chronic-l...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

leukaemiacare.org.uk/suppor...

webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/c....

For me so far, the cranial massage has been the best way to initiate relief from stress whether cll related or age related unpleasantness. I have theses massages daily. Other healing arts that I find soothing are craniosacral and Tellington touch.

Massages can also release toxins, and it is a good idea too hydrate in addition to them. It is not uncommon to feel the toxicity effect in the beginning phase of regular therapies. I believe that one of the concerns for cancer patients is with deep lymphatic drainage massage which is a discussion for your doctor.

JM

[Marisa]

thank you

[Bluesinthenight]

I've had monthly full body massages after gym workouts at LA Fitness with no adverse effects, now in year 12 on a BTK inhibitor. In addition to the marrow, my CLL initially involved neck and large abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes, mostly regressed after treatment with nothing palpable on exam. The only adverse massage effect has been on my wallet: Its expensive!

[Adinajr]

My doc at Penn told me no massages right now because I'm easily bruised- I've been on calquence one pill a day since Jan.

[ChattahoocheeBoy]

while still on W/W, i’ve had many body massages including head/neck….all without incident to my knowledge. Actually a way to help relax!

[PaulSkinne]

I've been getting 90 minute, full body massages for years, both before and after my CLL/SLL and later stage 4 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnoses with no ill effects. I agree that special skill/care is required for areas with enlarged lymph nodes, but massage is a great stress reliever/relaxer for the cancer patient. What's the point of living longer if there's little quality of life?

[Ellieoak]

Marisa, in illinois Massage Therapists are told to never massage a person with cancer. I on the other hand have massaged many patients with cancer and I get a massage every 2 weeks. there is nothing wrong with getting a massage you can tell the person massaging you the you want a light swedish, or a deep tissue massage whatever is you preference. I was diagnosed with CLL in 2002 treated with 5 different drugs and am now 70 yrs. old, Anna

[SofiaDeo]

Ask your doctor if there is any reason you should avoid them. There are likely a few patient specific things that may have a doc saying "better not" like easy bruising.

[Marisa in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thank you. It’s very interesting to read all these varied responses. And in light of f it all, I shall be contacting my doctor.

[narl]

I have had CLL around 19 years now I have always gotten the full body massage, deep tissue, and never had a problem with them. I actually think they have kept me well. I had CLL treatment five years ago for one year and now I've been on Venetoclax for a year. I have only found one massage therapist that refused to massage me because I had CLL. I found that really ridiculous because I actually met that Massage group at the light the night leukemia walk. I found it strange that they would have a booth to get customers at a leukemia walk, and then not want to Massage leukemia patients.

[PoisonDwarf]

Hi Marissa,

All I can add is that I had one massage by someone who was trained in lymphatic drainage/massage, he still treated me but advised I needed to see my doctor's because of what he could feel. I saw another RMT & there was an area he wouldn't touch because of bruising & petechiae. He recommended seeing my doctor and he recommended a CT scan.

My conclusion was that if they are registered professional's, they will know that they are feeling something out of the norm, they will point it out and will send you to your doctor.