Medical Massage: The Role of Massage Therapy in Compassionate Palliative Care for Oncology Patients. (cover story)

CANCER patient medical care; CANCER patient psychology; CANCER pain; CAREGIVERS; COMMUNICATION; DEATH; FAMILIES; HOME care services; HOSPICE care; INTEGRATED health care delivery; MASSAGE therapy; PALLIATIVE treatment; QUALITY of life; SPIRITUALITY; TUMORS; TUMORS in children; COMPASSION; SOCIAL support

The article explores the importance of massage therapy in the provision of palliative care for oncology patients. It recognizes the role of massage therapists to advance a level of trust and continuity of connection from initial cancer diagnosis through active treatment and stages of survivorship. Health practitioners are urged to create massage training to address the needs of their patients, including the need to address symptoms of distress such as pain, anxiety and insomnia.