Massage Therapy For Cancer Pain and Stress Relief

Massage has been proven very effective for cancer pain and stress relief. Therapeutic massage as cancer pain intervention has been evaluated and determined to be safe for many people in various stages of dealing with cancer, including advanced stages. It is important to get doctor approval and incorporate best practices.

At Urban Sanctuary, we welcome people with cancer to the spa for services. We are happy and
 we are prepared  to provide massage services to cancer patients who have written consent from their doctor.

Our clients, as well as many cancer patients across the U.S., have found massage therapy to be beneficial both prior to surgery and post surgery in reducing procedural pain and related anxiety. Some of our clients book massage before and after chemotherapy sessions to reduce both physical and emotional distress.

The National Cancer Institute offers massage as an adjunctive therapy to cancer treatment at more than half of their centers. The American Massage Therapy Association has conducted clinical massage research with breast cancer survivors. Both the American Cancer Institute and National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health have funded studies with very good results. All of the aforementioned organizations have found massage therapy to be highly effective in providing support with reducing cancer pain and stress.

Many control studies and trials have been conducted to measure the short term effects of massage on cancer patients. Measured results show that for people dealing with cancer, massage can effectively:

• reduce procedural pain
• relieve chronic pain
• ease anxiety
• ease depression
• anger
• reduce nausea
• decrease stress
• increase levels of dopamine
• improve quality of sleep
• improve quality of life
• create a sense of well being

Massage therapy is instrumental in the long term healing process years after cancer has gone into remission. Massage clients have reported feeling regenerated as their bodies heal from the painful side effects of the cancer drugs. Lavender can help with that process.

Few known control studies have been completed that effectively measure the long term effects and health benefits of massage for cancer patients, unfortunately. However several of those studies are underway.

We have special accommodations for clients dealing with cancer as well as safe practices. We love having the opportunity to make a difference in this aspect of the community. Please call Urban Sanctuary at 706-613-3947 for a consultation for yourself or a loved. Or email candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com if you're considering incorporating massage therapy into your wellness care regimen. 

5 Fruits That Heal Joint Pain and Recommended Massages

Joint pain can plague people of all ages and it becomes more likely as the years pass. Even teenagers experience joint pain on occasion resulting from binging  on processed sugary foods or over exertion. Adults experience joint pain and inflammation caused by food allergens, sports injuries or many other stresses that tax the body. Plenty of folks who have not been diagnosed with arthritis often experience  joint pain when the weather is cold and damp. 

Quality therapeutic massage, healing herbal bath soaks and foot massage are great remedies for nagging joint pain. 

Also, there are some great food cures for pain and in particular a handful of fruits that have a great capacity for reducing joint pain and inflammation. 

These five fruits are amazing pain relievers:

-Papaya

-Cherries

-Pineapple 

-Blueberries

-Raspberries 

At Urban Sanctuary, we specialize in results producing, pain relieving massage . Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Neck Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Asian Foot Massage are a few that effectively deal with joint pain and inflammation. There are probably a couple of massage modalities from that list that would be a perfect fit for you. Call 706-613-3947 for a recommendation or consultation. Read about the benefits of massage and the various massage modalities in our blog archives.

Hot Stone Massage Benefits

Urban Sanctuary's basalt stones are used for hot stone massages and pedicures.

Hot Stone Massage offers all of the benefits of therapeutic massage combined with the healing benefits of heat applied to the body. The combination of the two is deeply relaxing and nurturing. The hot stones can be utilized during a deep tissue massage, a neck, back and shoulder massage, or during a pedicure.

 Contrary to popular belief, the stones do not prevent the massage therapist from being able to do specific therapeutic massage work during the session. The stones can be used to warm up the body's soft tissue in preparation for deeper massage work or they can function as an extension of the therapist's hands during the entire massage. This serves as a tool for trigger point therapy and other pain relief techniques.

The deep penetrating heat of the stones relaxes and unwinds soft tissue right down to the bones allowing for easy release of tension and bound up muscles. The heat of the stones is great for joint pain, achy feet, stiffness and sore muscles.

Hot Stone Massage Benefits

• increased circulation
• supports effective deep tissue therapy
• relief from joint pain and stiffness
• great for soothing achy feet, back ache and neck aches
• improves flexibility and range of motion
• great for cold hands and feet
• supports stretching during and after massage by warming up the muscles
• helps with restless leg syndrome
• provides deep relaxation
• good for insomnia
• very grounding and comforting

  The heat and weight of the stones enhance the work that the massage is doing and increase some of the overall benefit. If you find heat to be relaxing for your shoulders and back or you just love having toasty feet, try a Hot Stone Pedicure or a Hot Stone Massage this week. Upgrade your massage or pedicure to incorporate Hot Stones at Urban Sanctuary. Call us at 706-613-3947 to inquire about availability. Unwind with Hot Stones at Urban Sanctuary any day of the week.

Deep Tissue Therapeutic Foot Massage

  Not for the faint hearted, but enormously productive for those who have plantar fasciitus, hammer toe, dancer's feet or old foot and ankle injuries. Our Deep Tissue Therapeutic Foot Massage routine aims to produce measurable improvements in your stance, gate and range of motion. The deep myofascial work included in this massage usually impacts overall posture for people after just one session!

  Our Deep Therapeutic Foot Massage is available at Urban Sanctuary for 60 minute sessions, 90 minute sessions and two hours. The time flies by even during a two hour session, as hard as that is to believe. It takes the initial 20-30 minutes of the massage to open up the energy and blood flow in the legs, knees, hips and torso to prepare your feet for the therapy to come next. Your ankles, arches, calves and soles require time to warm up, soften and let go of surface tensions before the deep therapy can begin. This should not be rushed. No need to cause you white knuckling pain by zipping through this massage. Most massage therapists agree that effective deep tissue requires a slow hand and careful attention. This has never been more the case than when handling your soles...

Who this is good for:

• men with thick or dense foot tissue
• runners, cyclists and tennis players
• professional dancers
• athletes
• people engaged in foot pounding activities
• people with old foot injuries that continue to affect their gate

  The Deep Therapeutic Foot Massage will usually "hurt good" and therefore allow for the release of old holding patterns in your feet and ankles. Deep specific friction helps to break up scar tissue and adhesion. A variety of methods are implored to allow for the release of chronic pain. This is a highly intentional and slow moving massage. In order to fully stretch and expand the tissue of the soles of the feet, slow thorough coverage works best. Along the arches and heels, slow pinning, stretching, stripping and deep specific friction are employed. If you can give yourself an hour or longer, you will be very happy with the transformation that comes...

BENEFITS

• releases knee, hip and low back pain
• relieves plantar fasciitus
• hammer toe
• old football and sports injuries to the feet
• improves stance and balance
• lengthens the body by releasing restricted muscles
• helps recover the feet from regular pounding (tennis, running)
• helps recover the feet from restrictive shoes (high heels, work boots) 
• releases holding patterns affecting your walk and the way you stand
• rejuvenating

   Please call us with questions or to schedule a foot massage at 706-613-3947. At Urban Sanctuary we have an army of massage therapists ready to transform your feet...