115: New Evidence: Can Massage Spread Cancer? (with Cathy Ryan & Erika Slocum)

The Thinking Practitioner

🎙️Two new studies are re-opening the age-old discussion about whether massage is safe with clients with cancer. Til and Whitney review the new evidence, the implications, and discuss best practices with expert guests Cathy Ryan and Erika Slocum. 🔍🗣️👥🔊

Watch the video and get the full transcript of their conversation on Til or Whitney's sites:

• Til Luchau’s Advanced-Trainings.com
• Whitney Lowe’s Academy of Clinical Massage

Key Points in the Podcast

• Introduction to The Thinking Practitioner Podcast (00:00-01:30)
• The history of recommendations about massage and cancer (01:30-07:30)
• The benefits of massage therapy for people with cancer (07:30-12:30)
• The possible effects of massage on tumor sites (12:30-17:49)
• Discussing Freidl study on massage and tumor cells migration (17:49-23:00)
• Discussing Karda study on massage and osteosarcoma progression (23:00-30:00)
• Red flags and referrals for potential cancer screening (30:00-37:00)
• The importance of communication and partnership with clients (37:00-41:00)
• Resources for further information on massage and cancer (41:00-45:00)
• Closing remarks and contact information for the guests (45:00-47:30)

Resources:

• [Dr. Peter Friedl's study is pending publication, but his 2016 presentation on this topic is at 9:45 here]
• Karda, I.W.A.M., Wan Ismail, W.F. & Kamal, A.F. Massage manipulation and progression of osteosarcoma, does it really correlate: a combination of prospective and retrospective cohort study. Sci Rep 13, 18541 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45808-7 https://rdcu.be/dCD6i
• Guest recommendations:
  • Training and support: Healwell, Tracy Walton, Gayle MacDonald
  • Massage therapy for post-mastectomy, top surgery & oncology support: Eryn Price RMT
  • S4OM: Society for Oncology Massage
  • Book: Oncology Massage – An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care - Janet Penny & Rebecca Sturgeon
  • Article: Could Massage Therapy Promote CANCER Metastasis?
  • Cathy Ryan: [e-mail]
  • Ericka Slocum: [e-mail]

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• Academy of Clinical Massage: Grab Whitney's valuable Assessment Cheat Sheet for free at: academyofclinicalmassage.comcheatsheet

About Whitney Lowe | About Til Luchau | Email Us: [e-mail]
(The Thinking Practitioner Podcast is intended for professional practitioners of manual and movement therapies: bodywork, massage therapy, structural integration, chiropractic, myofascial and myotherapy, orthopedic, sports massage, physical therapy, osteopathy, yoga, strength and conditioning, and similar professions. It is not medical or treatment advice.)