ONCOLOGY MASSAGE AS PALLIATIVE CARE
I have a passion to support women diagnosed with cancer. I acknowledge that it is a calling and an assignment from God to serve them on their journey from cancer treatment to those in recovery or survivorship, and those at the end of life. My wellness approach is nurturing, holistic, and totally focused on wellness for women whether preventative, restorative, or palliative. My business mission is to support all women through a healing touch, nurturing products, and holistic practices. I believe that the alignment of the spirit, soul, and body is a route to total wellness. Providing a whole-person approach to wellness by way of support, encouragement, and comfort is commonly known as holistic.
I’d like to share with you about palliative care. Palliative care is specialized care for people living with a serious or potentially terminal illness, such as cancer. The ultimate goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of the client regardless of diagnosis. Oncology massage is massage therapy based on both compassion and specialized massage treatments to help people manage their experience with cancer. Studies have demonstrated that massage can offer so many wonderful health benefits for people diagnosed with cancer. To name a few, oncology massage can be helpful for alleviating stress, reducing pain, relieving nausea and fatigue, boosting immunity and the body’s production of endorphins, reducing swelling, loosening aching tense muscles, and improving mood, and confidence, and improving sleep. Massage can give clients the time to breathe and relax, which can be the key to feeling relief through a difficult time. Incorporating positive touch is so valuable because typically cancer treatments are not pleasing. The gentle, caring touch of massage therapy adds positivity amid what might feel like the prodding and poking of cancer treatment.
I volunteered for Hosparus as a licensed massage therapist when I moved to Louisville in 2009 and took the Eleventh Hour Training. At that time, I was made aware that there are people who die alone. That was not something that I had ever realized, and I was unsettled at the thought of it. I have been a Personal Care Assistant for many elderly women in the last months of their lives, including my Mother. It gives me great pleasure to serve them.
So, I am excited to announce that Align Total Wellness will be offering an End-of-Life Doula service in 2023. An End-of-Life Doula is a non-medical professional who provides holistic support for the dying before, during, and after death. There are various end-of-life stages a doula can assist with during the natural processes while providing comfort and support. I am a member of NEDA (National End of Life Doula Alliance). You can find me listed on the NEDA website https://www.nedalliance.org in the directory under Louisville, Kentucky. A sacred, compassionate, holistic, and peaceful transition is something I want to provide. No one should die scared or alone. As an End-of-Life Doula, I want to create for her a beautiful environment with sound therapy, aromatherapy, soothing touch with essential oils, prayer, and companionship. I want to assist these women in relaxing and releasing when the time is right.
I volunteer and my business is an annual sponsor for the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk. And I have volunteered and collaborated with KAAAC (Kentucky African Americans Against Cancer) a local organization as well as, Gilda’s Club. Both of these organizations provide support for people living with cancer. In addition, I travel locally. I have traveled to many women who desire my services but can not come to my studio, some of which have been diagnosed with cancer. I have been going to the Nazareth Nursing Home every Friday for 2 1/2 years (with a few exceptions) to provide massage to a bedridden woman. I provide her with a weekly massage that includes a range of motion and skin attention. Companionship also plays a role during her service. Fun fact, during this time we enjoy watching The Price, Is Right together.
Be Well!
