Massage therapy

Massages have been long-known to bring excellent physical benefits to anyone who gets a healthy rubdown. The careful kneading of our tissues through Oriental-based shiatsu or Swedish styles increases overall circulation, loosens stiff joints and can ease nagging and chronic pain. It's no wonder that a regular 60-minute massage can bring with it a plethora of positives for someone being treated for cancer.

A good massage will aid cancer patients on a psychological and physical level. Because it's a comforting act in itself, massages will quickly ease stress and induce feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Physically, the aforementioned increase in circulation can actually increase the potency of the immune system and thereby improve overall health. In addition, some patients find that a massage can help them get much-needed rest, while others will leave a session with an added sense of energy. More research needs to be done on massage therapy as a form of complementary cancer treatment, but it's worth noting that early studies have shown that shiatsu techniques can make it more difficult for tumors to grow. Until there are more answers, cancer patients can still reap the benefits of the massage, so long as they avoid it right after surgery or chemotherapy treatments.