Oncology Massage In A HospitalHospital based oncology massage is provided to cancer patients, either after surgery, after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or in the cancer patient's final days.
Massage given to these patients will be gentle and much shorter than a full body massage. It is provided mainly for comfort and to soothe bodies in pain. We are providing relief from the suffering these patients experience from moment to moment. While they are being massaged, the patients focus on how good your touch feels, instead of on their constant pain. A touch that is not gentle will inflict additional pain on the patient. Surgery sites and radiation sites should be avoided. The patient's attending physician will specify the types of massage to be performed, along with the frequency of massage. Oncology massage therapists may come in contact with family members of the patient who will also need to be comforted. They are scared and worried about their terminally ill family member. Talking gently and reassuring the patient and his/her family are a part of the job of a cancer massage therapist.
This is a difficult yet valuable assignment. Death and dying are a part of working in a cancer unit. The massage therapist should not get too personally involved with the patients but that can be very difficult. Chances are that you will see many different cancer patients during the course of a week. It takes a special type of person to work in this branch of massage therapy. There are jobs in this field available in both hospitals and hospice facilities. Cancer patients who are in hospice care can be inpatient hospice patients or they can be cared for at home by hospice workers.
Return from Oncology Massage to Hospital Massage
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