Healing Touch. Safe Oncology Massage Post Surgery, During Treatment and Through Survivorship. At Compassionate Beauty™, we believe that touch is a basic human need that plays a valuable role in supporting the body, mind, and soul through cancer and its treatments. Our specialized Massage Centre provides a variety of services to decrease both physical discomfort and emotional distress. Following surgery, massage can be a way to reconnect with your body while releasing surgical scar adhesion and improve the range of motion in your shoulder. Throughout chemotherapy and radiation, allow our hands to nurture you while wishing you strength and courage for your next treatment. Moving forward we will continue to tailor your massages based on the cancer interventions your body has been through. No matter where you are in your journey, massage will always leave you feeling rejuvenated and nurtured.
At Compassionate Beauty, we offer the following services:
- Relaxation Massage
- Breast Massage
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Combined Decongestive Therapy
Specialized. What is Oncology Massage? Oncology Massage is a form of Therapeutic Massage Therapy designed to meet the specific needs of people who are dealing with cancer and/or its treatment. Oncology Massage respects the limits of the body post surgery, during treatment and through survivorship.
Why is Oncology Massage Different than a Regular Massage? Oncology massage is a specialized form of massage therapy because people dealing with cancer and/or its treatments may:
- Suffer from compromised immune systems.
- Be at risk for developing lymphedema as a result of breast cancer interventions including axillary lymph node removal or radiation.
Relief. Oncology Massage may provide relief from Mastectomy Scars and the many issues that effect women after a mastectomy including:
- Tightness,
- Pain,
- Decrease in Range of Motion,
- Chest Wall Edema,
- Sensation of skin being adhered to the chest wall,
- Scar contractures that can range from mild to severe,
- Axillary webbing syndrome or 'chording'.
Your Solution. Our properly trained therapeutic massage therapist, Jana White, can treat these issues. Mastectomy scars shouldn't be treated in the same manner as scar tissue elsewhere in the body. The main concern is the risk factor for lymphedema as most mastectomies are accompanied by lymph node surgery. In order to safely work on a scar in an area of lymphatic impairment, the scar is treated specifically with lymphatic drainage, redirecting lymph flow into an unaffected drainage site and addressing the scar in a specialized mindful and effective manner. Auxiliary webbing can be assisted with gentle myofascial release techniques. Most women find this treatment very beneficial in assisting with the healing process following breast surgery. Ideally you should receive oncology massage therapy every 3 weeks. During chemotherapy, massage is safest at the end of each round of treatments with the intention of working with you when your blood cell counts are highest.
Think of oncology massage as a part of your cancer treatments; the part you can actually look forward to. Rest assured that you will leave feeling deeply relaxed with an improved sense of well being. The physical and emotional benefits of massage can be greatly beneficial in alleviating some of the stress associated with this journey.
Lymphedema. Can I Have an Oncology Massage if I Have Lymphedema? Yes you can, providing your Oncology Massage therapist is well trained and experienced in manual lymphatic drainage.
Let us help you. Why Choose Compassionate Beauty™ for your Oncology Massage?
1. Our certified Oncology Massage Therapist is dedicated to working within safe parameters of your blood cell counts while undergoing chemotherapy.
2. As well as providing relaxation and therapeutic massage, our therapist is also a Dr. Vodder Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Those at risk of developing lymphedema include anyone who has received surgery affecting lymph nodes and/or radiation. It is crucial for individuals at risk of developing lymphedema to have their massage techniques modified by an expert so as to not aggravate a compromised lymphatic system.
3. At Compassionate Beauty™, we are committed to the highest standards of client comfort. Our massage beds were specially designed to reduce pressure from tender breast or chest wall tissue. Your comfort is ensured by offering extra pillow support for surgical or medi-port sites as well as adding in the option of extra warmth with heated tables and even heated boots.
4. Our team is passionate about treating our clients with the utmost respect, offering private treatment rooms and eliminating the concept of a public changing area. Our staff and therapists promise to treat you in a manner that is nurturing, holistic and with the understanding that cancer and its treatments can be traumatic on many levels.
Contact Compassionate Beauty™ for more information on Oncology Massage and how it can benefit you, or to book an appointment.
