Alternative Treatments?

[jola57]

I totaly agree with Marta, I have had massages since being diagnoses. I did stop for a while at the time that I had the worst flare and was on 50 pred and cyclo. But then I didn't feel like having anyone touching my body at the time anyway. Massage and reflexology is great for the aching muscles and whole well being. While it is true that some residual chemo is present in our bodies, the amounts are not significant enough to do harm. I survived the dropped foot and regained mobility and partial feeling in both feet because I got into a hot tub every day and massaged the heck out of my feet and continued to do so at every possible moment. I just came back from Poland where I stayed at a Sanatorium for 12 days (first time for me). It is basically a holistic live in treatment center. Look up Sanatorium in Poland to get more info. It was great, I swam and excercised in salt water every morning, had massage, hot mud packs and electric current on my feet. I enjoyed every minute of the stay and highly recomend it to everyone.

[pberggren1]

Next time you go Jolanta, just put me in a big suite case.

[Sangye]

I While it is true that some residual chemo is present in our bodies, the amounts are not significant enough to do harm.

Chemo lingers in fat and particularly in the liver. People who've been on chemo will often taste it or have other signs of it years later during a detox. Holistic centers that treat people with cancer very strongly advise against deep tissue massage while on chemo and for some time afterwards. Even though we take lower doses, we are often on it for longer periods of time.

[drz]

and electric current on my feet. I enjoyed every minute of the stay and highly recommend it to everyone.

Years ago I read about electrical stimulation being used to treat neuropathy on an experimental basis. I also noticed when I had nerve conduction tests which used electrical currents (often painful) that my neuropathy seemed to improve for awhile. electrical stimulation might prove to be a helpful treatment for neuropathy.

[jola57]

The treatment I received was non invasive, that is the current was run into a sponge which was then placed on my foot and lower back. The result is that I feel a lot better. Whether that is due to my 10 day rest with lots of lying on bed with feet up or the benefits of the current therapy, I don't know. Maybe next time I will go for longer. I can tell you that the rest and excercise has made a lot of difference. I felt better and had no significant pain as supposed to when I am at home and working full time. Phil, any time you are ready

[Pmarsh]

I was thinking a little more about the discussion of massage therapy on this thread. There seems to be two different opinions on the matter. For me, I have had a dozen or so massages in the past 4-5 months while on Cyclo and have had no ill effects... so I tend to lean toward the "massage does no harm" side. Most of the websites I have found and the Dr's I have asked (although not specialists) have said there is no issue with massage while on chemo. Just wondering if anyone can point out any studies or papers arguing against massage?

My thought is that if we store toxins in our fat and liver then it would be best to flush these out regularly. I would think that massage would help with this. Just a thought though...

[Sangye]

Peter, I suggest you contact a national massage therapy association for info. Personally I wouldn't rely on a medical doctor's opinion of a holistic therapy, even when they say it's safe. They have no training in evaluation of holistic remedies whatsoever (unlike holistic physicians, who have to learn in full detail about medical diagnoses and treatments). It's like asking your lawyer for medical advice.

I'd be surprised if you can find actual research on the subject. Massage therapists don't have the millions of dollars necessary to do such studies.

Your thinking about flushing toxins is correct, but it needs to be done at a very slow and steady rate or you can become quite ill. There are many factors involved, including the proper function of excretory systems (intestines, kidneys, skin) as well as the general state of the body. Massage is a stressor to the body, in that it shifts the body from its state of equilibrium. Ideally that additional stress will result in improved function. But if the body is currently using all its resources to heal and to manage the drugs, the added "stress" of massage may be too much.