Oncology massage is a specialised form of massage therapy designed to meet the specific needs of individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment or who have a history of cancer. According to a study by Cassileth and Vickers (2004), light touch massage, as taught by Oncology Massage Training (OMT), has been found to be the most effective form of massage therapy for people with cancer.
At MyoFitness, we work with you to create a personalised treatment plan that takes into account your medical history, current treatment plan, and any side effects you may be experiencing. This is not a generic massage applied without adaptation. Every session is adjusted to your current clinical status, treatment phase, and individual comfort and needs.
Some of the benefits of oncology massage include reducing fatigue, improving sleep, reducing pain and discomfort, improving range of motion, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving overall quality of life.
Please note: we require a medical clearance or doctor letter before we can provide oncology massage treatment. Please get in touch with us at 03 9028 4087 before booking so we can guide you through this process.
Serving: Flemington, Kensington, Parkville, Carlton, West Melbourne, Ascot Vale
Serving: Footscray, Kingsville, Seddon, Spotswood, Williamstown, Newport
Oncology massage at MyoFitness is a relatively new and emerging field of massage therapy. However, there is a growing body of research that supports its benefits for individuals with cancer, and our therapists are trained in the specialised adaptations that make massage safe and beneficial during and beyond cancer treatment.
Why standard massage is not appropriate for people with cancer: Standard remedial massage techniques including deep tissue work, strong pressure, and certain positioning approaches can be contraindicated for people undergoing cancer treatment. Oncology massage uses specific light touch adaptations that account for the physiological changes produced by cancer and its treatment, including altered skin integrity, lymphoedema risk, bone metastases, medication effects, and reduced immune function.
If you are unsure whether oncology massage is appropriate for your specific situation, please call us on 03 9028 4087 before booking. Our team will discuss your circumstances, advise on the clearance process, and help you determine whether oncology massage at MyoFitness is the right next step for you.
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating side effects of cancer treatment. Oncology massage reduces the physical and neurological burden of fatigue through gentle manual stimulation that supports circulation, nervous system regulation, and physical comfort without adding physiological stress.
Disrupted sleep is extremely common during cancer treatment due to pain, anxiety, treatment side effects, and emotional stress. Oncology massage calms the nervous system and reduces muscular tension and pain, supporting the physical conditions that allow restorative sleep to occur.
Pain from cancer, treatment side effects, surgical recovery, and muscular tension all contribute to the physical experience of living with cancer. Oncology massage uses light touch techniques specifically adapted to each person’s current clinical status to reduce pain without aggravating the underlying condition or treatment.
Surgery, radiation, and prolonged periods of reduced activity can all reduce joint and tissue mobility. Oncology massage addresses muscular tension, scar tissue restriction, and guarding patterns to gently restore range of motion in ways that complement and support the broader rehabilitation process.
People in active treatment often experience fatigue, nausea, pain, anxiety, and disrupted sleep as treatment side effects. Oncology massage at MyoFitness is adapted to your current treatment status and applied in ways that support your comfort without interfering with your treatment or recovery.
Post-surgical recovery from mastectomy, lumpectomy, lymph node removal, or other cancer surgeries involves scar tissue management, restricted range of motion, pain, and altered body awareness. Oncology massage at MyoFitness addresses these issues with specific adaptations appropriate to your stage of surgical recovery.
Lymphoedema, the swelling that can result from lymph node removal or damage during cancer treatment, requires specialised massage technique. At MyoFitness, our therapists work within appropriate oncology massage protocols to support lymphatic health and physical comfort while avoiding contraindicated techniques.
Cancer-related fatigue can persist long after active treatment ends. It is distinct from normal tiredness and does not resolve with rest alone. Regular oncology massage at MyoFitness supports nervous system regulation and physical comfort in ways that contribute to the management of persistent cancer-related fatigue.
People who have completed cancer treatment and are in remission often benefit from ongoing bodywork support to manage the long-term physical effects of treatment, maintain mobility, support emotional wellbeing, and reconnect with their body. Oncology massage at MyoFitness provides this continuing care with appropriate clinical awareness.
For people with advanced cancer receiving palliative or hospice care, oncology massage focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Research supports its use in hospice settings for reducing anxiety, depression, and pain. Sessions are adapted fully to the person’s comfort and condition.
Oncology massage is a specialised form of massage therapy designed to meet the specific needs of individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment or who have a history of cancer. It is not standard remedial massage applied to a person with cancer. It is a distinct approach that uses specific adaptations, including modified pressure, positioning, and technique, to account for the physiological changes produced by cancer and its treatment. At MyoFitness, we use light touch massage techniques as taught by Oncology Massage Training (OMT), which research has found to be the most effective form of massage therapy for people with cancer.
Standard remedial massage techniques including deep tissue work, strong pressure, and standard positioning can be contraindicated for people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. Cancer and its treatments can affect skin integrity, bone density, lymphatic function, immune function, and clotting factors in ways that make standard massage potentially unsafe or uncomfortable. Oncology massage uses specific adaptations that account for all of these factors. At MyoFitness, only oncology-trained therapists provide oncology massage, and medical clearance is required before the first session to ensure your therapist can work safely alongside your medical team.
Yes. We require a medical clearance or doctor letter before we can provide oncology massage treatment at MyoFitness. Please call us on 03 9028 4087 before booking so we can guide you through this process and discuss your specific circumstances. Medical clearance is a clinical requirement, not a barrier to access. It ensures your therapist has the information needed to work safely and effectively alongside your medical team and current treatment plan.
Your first session begins with a thorough review of your medical history, current and recent cancer treatment, medications, and any side effects you are experiencing. Your therapist will then develop a personalised treatment plan adapted to your current clinical status. Sessions use light touch techniques that are adjusted at each appointment based on how you are presenting on the day, your treatment phase, and your feedback. Oncology massage at MyoFitness is not a fixed protocol. It is a continuously adapted, person-centred approach.
When performed by a trained oncology massage therapist with appropriate medical clearance, massage can be safe and beneficial during chemotherapy and radiation. The key is that standard massage techniques must be significantly modified to account for the physiological effects of treatment. At MyoFitness, our oncology massage therapists are trained in these adaptations and work with your medical team’s guidance to ensure your sessions are safe. Research supports the benefits of appropriately adapted massage during cancer treatment, including a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that found oncology massage reduced pain and fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Oncology massage at MyoFitness can support the management of lymphoedema through appropriate adapted techniques. Standard massage is contraindicated for lymphoedema without appropriate training and adaptation. If you have lymphoedema or are at risk of developing it following lymph node removal, please mention this when you call us on 03 9028 4087 before booking so your therapist can plan your sessions accordingly. Manual lymphatic drainage is also available at MyoFitness and may be recommended as part of your overall care.
Please call us on 03 9028 4087 before booking your first oncology massage at MyoFitness. We will discuss your circumstances, advise on the medical clearance process, and book your appointment once clearance is confirmed. For your first appointment, bring your medical clearance or doctor letter, a list of your current medications, and any relevant medical history documents. Oncology massage is available at all three MyoFitness clinics in North Melbourne, Yarraville, and Surrey Hills.
Oncology massage at MyoFitness is personalised, evidence-informed, and delivered by therapists trained in oncology-specific technique. Medical clearance is required before your first session. Please call us before booking.
