One of the best things to come out of spa services are massages. Getting a massage has to be one of the best feelings in the world. The aftermath of how you feel is completely different to how you felt before you got one. Massages are extremely beneficial to anyone regardless of what you’re using them to treat. Though, the one issue that someone might face when getting this service is which one to choose. You can walk into a spa and request a massage but the attendants will ask you which type of massage you’re interested in. This is where research and scoping come about. There are a variety of massage services to choose from, but how do you know what’s best for you? Especially when living with something like breast cancer? Is a massage even for you? Of course! Take a look.
What A Massage Can Do For You
There are many things that this practice can do for not only your body but your mind as well but what is the actual definition of a massage? Well, a massage is the rubbing, manipulating and pressing of your skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles.
It can be a light pressure placed on the areas needed on your body or deep pressure to really get the tension out and that’s what a massage is for. It’s the general term for releasing tension and pressure in the body through what was stated previously.
It’s considered an “integrative” medicine. It can help promote relaxation and reduce stress, improve circulation and energy and it also helps with improving the body’s immune system. A massage can also help lower blood pressure, and heart rate and reduce pain and stiffness in your muscles.
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How It Can Be Helpful When Living With Breast Cancer
When living with breast cancer, a massage can be extremely helpful. Seeing as though it's used to reduce tension and alleviate pain in the body, this can be beneficial to those undergoing chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is taxing to the body and can cause a lot of pressure and build-up within the muscles. Getting a massage every so often by a licensed professional who specializes in patients with breast cancer could help reduce the symptoms you may face.
Breast cancer patients and survivors can also benefit from a massage because massages help reduce anxiety and depression, which can come during the fight and even after you may have won the battle or war with breast cancer.
A massage also helps relieve nausea (a symptom of undergoing chemo). relieve lymphedema and prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
4 Different Types Of Massages You Should Try
You know now that you want a massage but what type of massage should you get as a breast cancer survivor? Well, there are so many to choose from but here are 4 different types of massages that could be more beneficial to you than others:
- A light or soft pressure massage: Those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation should NOT get a deep tissue or a deep pressure massage seeing as it can cause more pain than relief
- Lymphatic Drainage: If you are someone who suffers from lymph nodes, then a lymphatic drainage can be used with a light touch around the affected arm and area under your arm.
- Swedish Massage: This type of massage has a light touch to it with long, soft strokes. It is good for patients currently undergoing treatment.
- Oncology Massage: Usually offered to those undergoing treatment by some cancer clinics as a complementary service to help with reducing and alleviating the symptoms caused by breast cancer.
*A deep tissue massage can be used by cancer patients AFTER treatment is finished. Not during treatment.*
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How Can A Massage Help You With Other Areas Of Your Life?
A good massage can make your day better because of the physical tension that gets released when you get one. It can also help your mental health because it helps reduce anxiety flare-ups and depressive episodes, which can cause you to think positive thoughts.
It can allow you to get more done throughout the day because you are physically able to do so, now that you're not suffering from any muscle pain and pressure. Overall a good massage can make your days easier.
If you are interested in getting a massage as a breast cancer patient, survivor, or for whatever other reason you may have that requires one, make sure you do your research and find the right therapist who specializes in patients similar to you. Sometimes all it takes is a little relaxation to ease the pain.
