Lansing Area Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers Can Receive Massage Discounts

Lansing Area Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers Can Receive Massage Discounts

Are you a current cancer patient, survivor or caregiver to a loved one who is battling cancer? Did you know that there is a non-profit in Mid-Michigan that provides discounted or free massage therapy services to those in need? It is not just for cancer patients, but for many qualifying people who are experiencing a hardship and cannot regularly afford the healing benefits of massage therapy and other techniques.

Mid-Michigan Massage Therapy Institute (MMMTI) is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit and their mission is:

“Helping cultivate strong, empowered families by providing supportive massage care and educational opportunities.

MMMTI logo

In addition to providing massage therapy to those in need, MMMTI also provides ongoing training and education to massage therapists as well as a community of support.

The organization was started by Bilky Joda-Miller, owner of All Body Kneads Massage. Bilky is also a breast cancer survivor and understands first-hand the healing benefits of massage. It is currently run by a board of directors who are a group of licensed therapists and interested individuals passionate about sharing the benefits of massage

In addition, All Body Kneads offers a 25% discount to breast cancer survivors and a 20% discount to all other cancer survivors. Caregivers get $5.00 off plus a free add-on service.

Related: Can you get massage during chemotherapy?

Massage for Lansing Area Cancer Patients Helps the Healing Process

Often, cancer patients experience drops in their mood, energy and physical dexterity. With massage as a supportive treatment, most of these debilitating ailments can be lessened for the patients. Massage can help in the following ways:

  1. Increased mobility
  2. The breaking up of scar tissue
  3. Loosening of mucus in the lungs
  4. Sinus drainage
  5. And relief of pain, arthritis, constipation, colds and fatigue
  6. Improved sleep
  7. Help with anxiety

Please read The Massage Benefits for Cancer Patients for more details.

different types of massage

Infrared Sauna Therapy

An Infrared Sauna session is another gentle but effective way to help ease the side-effects of cancer treatment. It helps relaxation, detoxification, and increased circulation. You choose the level of infrared technology you prefer; near, middle, and far. These levels refer to different infrared wavelengths and heat intensity. Testing has shown that near-infrared levels are excellent for the healing of wounds and increasing the function of the immune system. Middle levels are better for improving circulation as well as enhancing the relaxation of muscles. 

Lansing area cancer patients. Infrared sauna

Are you interested in these services?

If you are interested in finding out more about these services and to see if you qualify, please contact MMMTI here.

If you are a massage therapist who would like provide these services to those in need through our program, please contact MMMTI here.

Please note that as a service provider you to get compensated through the organization. MMMTI is funded through generous community donations, grants, and fundraisers.

Can you get massage during chemotherapy?

Can you get massage during chemotherapy?

Is massage therapy safe during chemotherapy treatments?

Some people worry that massage can spread cancer cells throughout the body via the lymphatic system. However, researchers have shown that cancer develops and spreads because of changes to a cell’s DNA (genetic mutations) and other processes in the body–not through massage.

Studies have also shown that massage seems to offer both physical and emotional benefits for people with cancer, including:

  • Makes them feel whole again
  • Helps them share feelings in an informal setting
  • Makes them feel more positive about their body
  • Rebuilds hope
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Helps to manage pain
  • Reduces Fatigue
  • Increases immune function
  • Increased mobility
  • Increases circulation
  • Breaks up scar tissue
  • Loosens mucus in the lungs
  • Promotes Sinus drainage
  • Provides relief of pain, arthritis, constipation, and colds

Related: The Benefits of Massage for Cancer Patients

Things to consider before getting massage during chemotherapy

Any person experiencing a compromised immune system, pre or post surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy should consider the following before having a massage:

Talk to Your Doctor and Massage Therapist

It is important to consult with your doctor and oncologist before undergoing massage therapy. Your doctor may be able to recommend a massage therapist skilled in working with cancer patients. It is also important to let your massage therapist know about your diagnosis, treatment, and any symptoms you may have. 

Note: Bilky Joda-Miller is a trained and skilled massage therapist and a breast cancer survivor as well. She is so passionate about helping cancer patients that she started the non-profit Mid-Michigan Massage Therapy Institute, in part, to offer free or reduced rate massage to cancer patients and survivors.

Light Massage to Avoid Bruising

People undergoing chemotherapy may have a decrease in red and white blood cells which can make the body more susceptible to bruising. Therefore, light massage is recommended for people currently in treatment.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can add to the general relaxing properties of a massage and help to create a soothing and healing atmosphere.

Post Surgery

If you have recently had surgery, such as for breast cancer, you should only lay on your back, until your doctor decides it is safe for you to lay on your stomach. If you have different (or additional) surgery sites, the appropriate accommodations will be made. Hand and feet massage (reflexology) is also a great way to experience the benefits of massage without undergoing a full-body massage if that is not possible at this time.

Radiation

For patients currently undergoing radiation, the massage therapist should avoid touching any sensitive skin in the treatment area. Massage and massage oils and creams may further irritate skin. If you aren’t experiencing any skin irritation, any massage to this area should be extremely light and conducted through a soft towel or cloth.

Lymph Nodes and Lymphedema

If you have had any lymph nodes removed, these sites should only receive very light touch on the affected arm and the area around the underarm.

With lymphedema, the affected arm and underarm areas should not be recieve traditional light massage. It might make the condition worse. However, manual lymphatic drainage massage is used instead. It is important that you work with a massage therapist familiar with this technique.

Finding the Right Massage Therapist

If you are in the Lansing, Michigan area, you need to look no further. Bilky Joda-Miller is a skilled massage therapist in working with cancer patients, survivors, and their caretakers. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she has a unique and personal perspective on the healing nature of massage. Call today to talk with Bilky and schedule your appointment. 517-898-2899 


The Research

Several clinical studies show that massage can reduce symptoms such as stress, nausea, pain, fatigue and depression.

  • A systematic review (1)  of studies on aromatherapy and massage for relieving symptoms in people with cancer looked at 10 studies including eight randomised controlled trials. It found that massage consistently reduced anxiety and depression. Massage also helped lower nausea and pain, but not as consistently.
  • A large American study (2) published in 2004 looked at the effects of massage therapy on almost 1300 people with cancer over three years. People in hospital had a 20-minute massage, and people treated as outpatients had a 60-minute session. The study found that overall, massage therapy reduced pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and depression. The benefits lasted longer in the patients who had the 60-minute session.
  • Another American study (3) of 39 people looked at the safety and effectiveness of massage in reducing stress hormone levels in patients with blood cancer. It randomised people to receive aromatherapy, massage or rest. The study concluded  that massage significantly reduced the stress hormone.

Fellowes D, Barnes K, Wilkinson SSM. Aromatherapy and massage for symptoms relief in patients with cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Iss 4.

Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer centre. J Pain Symptom Manage 2004 Sep; 28 (3): 244–9.

Stringer J et al. Massage in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy reduces serum cortisol and prolactin. Psycho-Oncology 2008 Oct; 17 (10): 1024–31.

The Benefits of Massage for Cancer Patients

The Benefits of Massage for Cancer Patients

Massage for Cancer Patients Helps the Healing Process

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, now is a good time to reflect on the helpful attributes associated with breast cancer treatment and massage for cancer patients. Many health care professionals have often noted massage as a great complimentary treatment coupled with conventional medical treatment.Massage

Many kinds of massage therapy are known for reducing anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain and stress in patients. Reducing these ailments in patients can be beneficial since medical treatment can often be very hard on the patient’s body and mental state. Massage therapy can be a very good and beneficial factor to boosting your energy and mood while receiving cancer treatment.

Often, cancer patients experience drops in their mood, energy and physical dexterity. With massage as a supportive treatment, most of these debilitating ailments can be lessened for the patients.

Does Massage for Cancer Patients Have Any Direct Effects?

In 2011, UK medical staff looked specifically at trials involving massage for women with breast cancer.

The following health benefits were discovered:

  1. Increased mobility

  2. The breaking up of scar tissue

  3. Loosening of mucus in the lungs

  4. Sinus drainage

  5. And relief of pain, arthritis, constipation, colds and fatigue

There was also a study in Germany in 2009 where they observed the health and general moods of 80 female patients with breast cancer. Half of the women were receiving the normal breast cancer treatment, while the other half were receiving massage therapy along side of the medical treatment. The women who were receiving the massage therapy consistently reported less loss of energy, better moods, less pain and feeling less fatigued.

The Cause

As you can see, massage therapy can be a great benefit to cancer patients and is certainly something to look into. Be sure to consult your doctor before trying massage therapy if you: are very weak, have bone fractures, have heart problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to spread the word for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I”d like to remind you about our special offers. Breast cancer survivors get a 25% discount. Survivors of other cancers get a 20% discount.

Caregivers get $5.00 off plus a free add-on service.

Please share this article with a cancer patient in your life.