MULTIPLE MYELOMA AND THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE
What is Multiple Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is a spongy tissue that is at the center of some bones and is responsible for producing the body’s blood cells.
It’s called multiple myeloma because cancer often affects several different areas of the body simultaneously. Often, multiple myeloma affects the spine, skull, pelvis, and ribs.
Typically myeloma doesn’t really cause any symptoms during its early phases. It’s usually picked up after it is suspected or diagnosed during a routine blood or urine test. After a little while, myeloma will start to cause a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms range from a persistent dull ache or area of tenderness in your bones to weak bones which break easily, to repeated infections and kidney problems. Myeloma can also lead to anemia, which is a deficiency of iron in the body - in turn, that can lead to tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath. In less common cases, myeloma can also lead to bruising and unusual bleeding - for example, frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and heavy periods.
And The Benefits of Massage!
Massage can be very helpful for people who are suffering from myeloma for a number of reasons. There are well-documented benefits of a number of different types of massage, from pain reduction to better circulation.
It is worth saying, however, that massage for a person suffering from multiple myeloma should only be done by someone who is familiar with how myeloma can affect the skeletal system and takes precautions with that in mind.
One massage modality loved by myeloma clients is hot stone massage. A massage therapist will heat up some small stones, and then place them upon areas that are tight or sore in order to help loosen the tightness in that area. They may also choose to use the stones when actually massaging you, which can feel brilliant.
A more common type of massage is the Swedish massage. They involve rubbing and kneading of the muscles and soft tissue to allow for relaxation, better circulation, and the alleviation of pain.
Reflexology is a more modern style of massage than some of the others out there, and some people absolutely adore it. The idea of this type of massage is small amounts of pressure on specific areas of the feet, hands, or ears in order to relieve a number of different symptoms. Foot reflexology is also popular, where the same principles apply, but the massage is carried out upon your feet.
The benefits of massage for sufferers of multiple myeloma are many, and they are certainly worth exploring. At Align Total Wellness we offer Oncology Massages with a completed Oncology Permission Form by an Oncologist.
