Massage Therapy as Used for Healing from Cancer

Massage Therapy at the Issels Medical Center

There are dozens of specialized massage techniques in use today. The most widespread variation builds upon the five basic strokes of Swedish massage introduced by Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish gymnast, in the 19th century.

The healing power of massage has been recognized since antiquity. In the 5th century BC, the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote that his colleagues should be experienced "in rubbing... for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid." Various forms of massage were also employed by the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, and Romans.

Massage is a systemic manual application of pressure and movement to the soft tissues of the body, such as the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (the membrane surrounding muscles and muscle groups).

Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

• Massage stimulates the healthy circulation of blood, lymph, and "chi" (life-force energy).
• Massage therapy relaxes tight muscles and calms the nervous system. Deeply relaxing and nurturing massage encourages the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system which governs the body's immune functions. This means massage signals to your immune system to become active.
• Regular massage supports ongoing immune system functions, promotes good quality sleep and encourages a more relaxed tone to the whole body/mind system.
• Massage also improves the body's properties of elimination and detoxification.

Reflexology – Hand and Foot Centered Massage

Reflexology is a way of treating the entire body by massaging the hands or feet. It is based on an ancient system from Asia, which recognizes that the entire body is energetically "mapped" on the hands and feet.

You will notice, for example, that if you have a headache your big toe may also feel sensitive to the therapist's touch. Correspondingly, when the therapist massages that tender toe area, you may notice your headache subsiding.

Because hands and feet have a high concentration of nerve endings, massaging them creates a deeply relaxing effect, while also stimulating the movement of "chi" throughout the whole body via the energy meridian system.

Reiki – Massage to Promote Well-Being

Reiki (ray-key) is a gentle laying-on-of-hands treatment that has been used for centuries for healing body, mind and spirit. It promotes a profound sense of peace and well-being, reducing stress, freeing up the flow of life-force energy and thereby supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

At the Issels Medical Center massage therapy, just like every other treatment modality, is administered according to each patient's individual needs.

Top of Page