Massage

[Pippa63]

Hi everyone.

Is it correct that we can't have a massage and if so why? I get very stressed and find a massage relaxes me and I forget everything for an hour or so and I feel so much better for it . I have ET and take hydroxy and aspirin and blood pressure meds .

[Inca]

Ihad massage by a trained Oncology masseur lady. I used to feel so much better...I know that sometimes massage people are worried about our M P N.

Unfortunately my lady moved away,have not found another yet.Hope you find a good clinic.

[Pippa63 in reply to Inca]

Thank you Inca .I will look for one

[mhos61]

My daughter treated me to a full body massage this year. During the Consultation I informed the therapist that I had ET. I suggested that it was probably not wise to apply too heavy a pressure, which she agreed.

There was no problem, no bruising etc, and I enjoyed an hour of pure bliss.

[Pippa63 in reply to mhos61]

Thank you . Thats very helpful

[Susana7]

I have occasional full body massages and never had any problems. I have PV, well controlled with Pegasys. X

[Superwoman]

I have had a few massages, they have been done with crystals and the same oils, they are so relaxing I normally fall asleep 😴 I have read that some beauty parlours refuse to do if you are on Chemo as they are worried, what the reaction will be, but I have a lady who knows all about my health history plus she does massages on quite a lot of women who have had Chemo and radio therapy so she knows what she is doing.

I would say go for it, you feel so good afterwards.

Jean

[h2ogal]

Thank you for bringing this up. I was not aware of this issue.

[Deefen]

Why is massage an issue? I love massages and I thought that it would actually be beneficial? Can anyone explain why it might not be?

Dee

[Kelly2 in reply to Deefen]

Itching I suppose.

[katiewalsh]

My doctor told me the problem is the risk of forming a blood clot if it’s deep pressure which is the kind I like. But at my hospital the nurses who are trained to give cancer patients massages just use a light pressure. Katie

[Jbone636 in reply to katiewalsh]

I'm 30 years old and only on asprin, do I need to worry about a massage

[katiewalsh in reply to Jbone636]

Hi. You need to ask your specialist. I’m not a doctor & can’t help, sorry. Katie

[tifftriesit]

Bruising can be an issue, and if you have an enlarged spleen, like I do, you have to stay away from that area. A massage therapist also told me that if you have a clot somewhere, the massage can cause it to loosen and go somewhere potentially dangerous like a lung.

I still get them periodically but I make sure the person is skilled, knows my history, avoids the whole spleen area except light touch there, and doesn’t give too deep of pressure.

[Deefen]

OK! Good to know as I like very firm massages! I lived in China for many years and Chinese traditional masseuses take no prisoners! But I’ll make sure I get more gentle ones from now on - sadly.

[ChattyPanda in reply to Deefen]

I have spent time in China every year since 1995! My first thought when I read the post was, “What?!! No more massages in China?!!!” What a disappointment that would be! I know exactly what you mean by, they “take no prisoners.” But I mostly get the not-very-well-trained ones. I always tell them, I’m an old lady, they have to be gentle. 😁

[Deefen in reply to ChattyPanda]

I just loved my firm Chinese massages - hopefully not a thing of the past!

[ChattyPanda in reply to Deefen]

I agree! 😁

[UKZA]

I work in a health care practice with sports massage therapists and chiropractors. They have been concerned in treating me because of clotting but have been given the all clear by my haematologist for further treatment. Any therapist that you receive treatment from needs your history and will treat accordingly. Good luck

[Deefen]

I’m going to get more advice from my haematologist on this next month!

[Kelly2 in reply to Deefen]

Please let us know! I would think they are beneficial for the circulation and slimming.

[Wyebird]

I’ve never heard that before and I’ve had them.

[mammared]

Check out the link below. This small study was done in the US in part, to answer the question of using massage, yoga, diet and other non-medicinal ways to lower symptom burden, depression and fatigue. You may find this helpful. In any event, Clinical Massage Therapist are especially trained to work with Oncology patients and are being utilized around the country here in the USA. Hope this will give some insight for you.

mpninfo.org/wp-content/uplo...

[Graham7694]

I have Swedish massage every 2 to 3 weeks and find it superb 👍

[LucyAshtonGeering]

If you’re in the UK some of the cancer charities - The Big C, Maggie’s - offer free massage by therapists who are experienced in treating cancer patients.

[Kelly2]

I read that it is not proposed because of potential itching which it does have this effect. But this will not stop me from having it

[Joybard]

Hi Pippa. I am a part- time Complementary Therapist at a leading Cancer Hospital and we will provide massages to almost all of our patients, although technique it is adapted to the individual patients. It is important that it is done very gently. Some of these will be inpatients on chemotherapy, For those of you who say that they only like deep massage please think again. Clothed chair massage is amazing, as is gentle massage. It is more to do with the skill and technique of the Therapist. Please ensure that your Therapist is specialised in treating cancer patients. Hope this helps. Enjoy massage!

[forwardocho]

Hello

I have massages once a week with no problems. I've never been told I cannot have them. Having said that, I do not have deep tissue massages for the simple reason I don't like them and they hurt too much! I have ET Jak 2 triple neg.

[Mazcd Partner MPNVoice]

this might help

mpnvoice.org.uk/living-with...