Can Massage Therapy help cancer patients?

Cancer is a diagnosis that truly no one is ever neither prepared nor excited to hear. Amidst all the treatment that one must go through to get on the road to recovery, the process can be daunting and extensive. However, studies have shown that a natural treatment, massage therapy, can actually start helping a patient feel some relief mind, body and spirit.

The benefits that you can get from massage therapy, whether in remission or just diagnosed, may surprise you if you’re not already hooked. The bottom line is improving your quality of life, so why not soak up all the benefits this therapy has to offer? Here are just a few of the upsides to seeing a massage therapist every now and then.

Emotional Well-Being

Massage therapy isn’t just about feeling good physically, it’s about relieving stress and pent up emotions that cause anxiety or clouded judgement. Going through cancer or mesothelioma is difficult and can lead to a lot of built up frustration if you’re not careful. Massage therapy is a good way to get rid of a lot of that residual anger, sadness and distress.

Time to Yourself

Part of the appeal of massage therapy is just taking some time to yourself. Between doctor’s appointments and dealing with family, it can be hard to find time to get your thoughts together.

Strengthened Immune System

This one may surprise you, but the improved moods and physical well being of someone who enjoys massage therapy can actually lead to an improved immune system. So by getting a massage now and then, you are actually less likely to succumb to illness. That means fewer colds just because you took the time to get a massage.

There are many benefits to massage therapy and these are just three of the biggest ones. You will be much better off in a physical, mental, and emotional capacity by simply allowing yourself a massage now and then. It may not seem like much, but a massage therapy session really can make all of the difference in the world in your fight against cancer.

- Research & article by Melanie L Bowen

People with cancer should avoid very deep massage – gentle is safer. It is important to consult your doctor to find a therapy that will work best for you and your treatment.

Relaxation, Tranquillity, Harmony

Relax and relieve tension with a Hot Stone massage

Hot stone massage is a relaxation treatment in which we use heated stones along with oil and massage. Hot stones originated from the Native Americans. They used to heat stones to help treat aching muscles. The treatment is popular in spas across the world and more and more people are deciding to go for the added benefit of stones to their massage. The treatment should be relaxing, slow, and work with a firm pressure. The hot stones are usually made of basalt, a type of rock that is rich in iron, so they retain heat. River rocks are normally used because they are so smooth – they have been smoothed over time by the river’s current.

The stones are heated in water and put into an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes.

When working with hot stones the most important thing to think about is what is underneath the stones. Think about the muscles and where their aches and pains are. As a therapist it is good to do breathing exercises both you and the client as it helps you both to relax so you can give the best massage possible.

Hot Stone massage is not appropriate if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are on medication that thins your blood. You shouldn’t get a hot stone massage if you are pregnant or have sunburn. You also may want to reconsider if you are menopausal, as it may trigger a hot flash.

Win the Fight against Cellulite

Endermologie Lipomassage

Cellulite is a skin condition that affects between 80-90% of post pubertal females so it is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed by. It is commonly found on the tops of the legs, abdomen and also arms. It is caused by a collection of subcutaneous fat that is trapped between the connective tissue layers within the skin, and can be notoriously difficult to treat. So a woman who has an exceptionally good diet and lifestyle can be a sufferer of cellulite.

Endermologie Lipomassage is a cellulite reduction treatment available at Zen Lifestyle beauty clinics in Edinburgh. It is the only cellulite reduction treatment that has gained US FDA approval. Endermologie is a machine response. The 2 independent motorised roller heads on the machine can move in several different directions depending on what the desired objectives of the treatment. Other skin concerns that can also be treated with Endermologie include thin and wrinkled skin, and also fibrous tissues. During an Endermologie treatment the wears an Endermowear suit, which is a body stocking suit specific to LPG Endermologie, in order for the roller heads to be passed over the areas with ease.

It is recommended that at least a course of 12 treatments (2 treatments per week) are carried out, however each client is individual so during a thorough consultation with one of our experienced therapists set, so from time to time more photos may be taken. When receiving a course of Endermologie clients are recommended to do daily body brushing at home to aid the results. Many of our clients have also decided to take the Murad Firm and Tone Dietary supplements programme to enhance and accelerate the benefits of Endermologie.

We offer Endermologie at our Teviot Place and Hanover Street salons.

Fake it, don’t Bake it

Want to be a bronzed goddess?

Fake Bake self-tan is the tanning solution we use at our Bruntsfield Place salon and the easy at home tan we recommend. The good thing about Fake Bake is that it adapts with your own skin tone to give you a natural looking colour. You don’t need to worry about going orange, as it has green undertones to give a more sun kissed olive tan.

We sell 3 different types of Fake Bake in store. The Fake Bake Original (£26) is what we use in the salon for your all over cream tan. Perfect for that holiday glow or special event, it gives a luxurious deep brown colour, or can be applied lighter for fairer skin tones. The Fake Bake Gold (£28) is a medium colour tan that contains antioxidants such as pomegranate and green tea. It also contains vitamins A & E to protect your skin as well as tan it. The new Fake Bake 60min (£25) is a spray application tan that develops in 60 minutes! Perfect for those who would prefer to wash the tan off before going to bed, or for those needing to be tanned in a hurry.

Siobhan’s ‘Fake it’ tips:

- Make sure you exfoliate your skin in the days leading up to applying fake tan. The AHA Priori Invigorating scrub is amazing for all over exfoliation.
- Use an oil free moisturiser on knees, elbows, feet and hands prior to tanning, or the Fake Bake smoothie which basically primes the skin.
- Sleep with full pyjamas on to save the sheets. However if you wait a couple of hours before going to bed it shouldn’t rub off on the sheets.
- When showering the next day after tanning make sure to pat dry. Being too vigorous with the towel will be like a buffer.
- Moisturise every day to make the tan last longer.
- If applying tan to the face it’s best to mix half tan and half moisturizer.

So don’t damage your skin with harmful rays or ageing sunbeds, why not get a healthy glow and just ‘fake it’?

Siobhan Hanna – Therapist Bruntsfield Place salon