CANCER, HEALING & AROMATHERAPY
How can Aromatherapy Massage help cancer patients?
Over the years, a bodyworker's role in working on people
with cancer has shifted from a distinct prohibition to an emerging specialty.
While no respectful practice should suggest that their healing method
supersedes a physician's advice, pairing certain complementary health
approaches with medical treatment can have tremendous positive benefits to the
patient. As one of the more researched modalities, experts believe the ancient
arts of aromatherapy and massage can be highly effective in helping manage the restlessness,
anxiety and stress associated with conventional cancer treatments. However, as
with anything of strong therapeutic value, there are some unique potential
interactions between the use of essential oils and traditional cancer
treatment.
When it comes to essential oils the use of them with massage can help patients. When patients are relaxed
they sleep more comfortably, further enabling their bodies to heal.
Besides surgery, enduring either of the two prominent
treatments for cancer, radiation or chemotherapy, is always a challenge. In
fact, it is common for people receiving radiation and/or chemotherapy to have
severe side effects and even long lasting health implications from these
treatments. Although aromatherapy and massage can be a soothing complement to cancer
treatment, assuring it is safely applied must always be a practitioner's
priority.
At Indigo Blue Massage & Wellness, Christie only uses the highest quality essential oils, and will only use 2 drops of essential oil per 1 fluid oz of carrier oil.
When undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments always check your skin
care products at home. Verbena is used in so many creams and lotions
along with all the citrus oils listed above. Also, massage therapist
use a lot of these essential oils in their practices every day. If
they are not trained in cancer aromatherapy massage, they may use these
essential oils and not even realize they could be doing more harm than
good. It is always best to find a therapist who is aware of the best treatments for you as a patient.
Sensitization of the skin to
light is usually due to the action of certain drugs, plants, or other
substances. Phototoxic oils cause light-related irritation or darkening
of the skin when exposed to certain types of light. For a person about to be
exposed to the intense rays of radiation therapy, it is important to avoid phototoxic
oils so that you do not worsen skin sensitivity. The more commonly known
phototoxic oils include:
· Lemon
· Bergamot
· Angelica
· Lime
· Grapefruit
· Orange
· Mandarin
· Tagete
· Verbena
In addition, certain essential oils can irritate or sensitize
the skin regardless of light exposure. Commonly known sensitizing oils include:
· Cinnamon bark
· Fig leaf
· Verbena
· Caraway
· Dill seed
· Peppermint
· Ylang ylang
If you are a cancer patient currently in treatment, please give Indigo Blue Massage & Wellness the opportunity to assist you in your wellness treatment. Christie is highly trained, well educated and a dedicated massage therapist. She treats the who person, mind, body and spirit.
