Oncology Medical Massage Therapy.. More Information?
The Relaxation Reflex is the ‘Stress Off’ switch, negating the harmful effects of the Fight/Flight reaction…more simply known as Stress. Prolonged Stress and the resulting cascade of harmful biochemical reactions is extremely damaging. The by-products of stress are the most cellular eroding chemical reactions the body can experience. This molecular damage is the primary cause of aging and degenerative illness.
It is important as a therapist, delivering Massage to a Person going through this journey, to understand the biology of the body and the treatments, and apply this understanding to the technique being given.
For the recipient, being as open as possible with sharing both the physiological and the physiological space of where they are at, with the therapist, so that the Massage can be given in a ‘Best Practice’ form that is going to be most effective for the receiver.
OM Massage takes both the state of the Mind and Body to a deeper level of Relaxation Response/Reflex. As well as the physical, there is also the Mind Power strength that enables us to deal with or hinder how we are able to move forward from the Traumatic time we have been enduring.
What Happens During Your Oncology Massage Therapy Session?
During an OM Massage the mind is able to let go and really relax, to allow the central nervous system to scan the body, get a better understanding of where the different body systems are at. This gives the brain time to formulate a plan to help it to get the body to a space where healing, and/or coping, can take place at a better and more controlled level of awareness.
When our body has something traumatic happen to it, in which ever form in comes in, there is a natural response which occurs, leading to a dehydration in body tissue. This usually occurs in areas that have historically had issues, or in New sites. This tissue is the Fascia, which is what aids all other tissues to secure their place but also enable them to move when they need to. This tissue is a bit like a 3 dimensional spider web made from a very elasticated, fibrous but robust, wet but gooey proteins, that binds our entire body together, and keeps parts in their proper placement.
There are different levels of fascia, however with OM massage we are working with the interstitial fascia, of which 50% of the receptors in this part of the bodies tissue, located almost everywhere in the body from within the bone through every layer out to the skin, respond to Gentle stimulation, like a stroke as light as a ‘painters brush’.
With this lighter form of Massage the Relaxation Response/Reflex is triggered quickly. Tension in the tissue is able to be released through direct, gentle but firm, intentional contact to the destressed tissue allowing the Hydration to occur. The Fascia contracts independently of our muscle activity as it is the sympathetic nervous system. With taking the pressure off the surrounding and intwined organs, glands, muscles, bones and joints, nerves, basically every system of the body you are creating space. Remove the Pressure, retrigger flexibility and movement in the tissue, reduce points of Pain Receptors being activated, invoke the endocrine and sympathetic central nervous systems to check in and reset all systems for a more harmonic healing plan!
With OM Massage the intent is not to solely focus on the Muscles….it is to support the Fascia, and in turn help you, the individual receiving this amazing natural treatment, to heal, manage, cope to the best of your ability to have a better quality time...
Women and Men with breast cancer who have undergone radiation therapy or surgery or have implanted medical devices also may need to be cautious in having massage to the affected regions. A trained Oncology Massage therapist has this understanding and will guide you to ensure ‘Best Practice’ for each individual is maintained, allowing for a positive and effective response.
Each one of us is unique in this path but we are connected by a common bond…to live the life we have, with love and compassion, and do so with as much comfort in our skin as we can…
Clients can expect a gentle and safe massage that has been modified from the traditional massage experience in order to accommodate the various symptoms of their disease and any side effects of the treatment.