Massage therapy is not contraindicated in cancer patients, massaging a tumor is, but there is a great deal more to a person than the tumor.
-Bernie Siegel, MD
One River Massage Therapy provides …
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
This effective treatment uses light, slow, rhythmic strokes that help the body increase lymphatic circulation and decrease excess fluid (edema). MLD is also used to help reduce symptoms of lymphedema by helping to move fluid from an area where the lymphatic system may be compromised, such as following lymph node dissection or radiation treatment for cancer, to an area with healthy lymphatics. This is very gentle work and is deeply relaxing, and the results can be very powerful!
Oncology Massage
Oncology massage is coming to the forefront of new complementary treatment modalities and is widely available in the world’s leading cancer hospitals. Specially trained oncology massage therapists can provide safe and effective massage for any patient, whether they are newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in remission. These gentle sessions, which focus on comfort and relaxation, can help clients get through the stress of cancer treatment as well as provide relief from the many and varied side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, such as fatigue, nausea, neuropathy, insomnia, muscle aches, poor body image, and more. This work is very close to our hearts, and we love being able to provide a therapeutic intervention that clients truly look forward to. As one client has said: “My massage is like a vacation from cancer.”
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can sometimes leave behind uncomfortable changes in the body of a client with breast cancer, such as tissue adhesions, postural deviations, swelling, Axillary Web Syndrome (also called “cording”), and more. Using gentle yet targeted massage and stretching, our mission is to help clients regain movement in their shoulders and trunk, improve comfort and function during and following breast reconstruction, help reduce swelling and pain, facilitate healthy scar formation, and support the body as it heals.
Scar Tissue Mobilization
Scars from surgery or other trauma can cause sensations of pulling and tightness in neighboring tissue and can cause blockages in lymphatic flow. Our scar release work is gentle yet can be amazingly effective in increasing tissue pliability, range of motion, and ease of movement. We are also specially trained in treatment of post-mastectomy scars, which requires an extra-gentle approach and comprehensive knowledge of the lymphatic system. The results we have seen from this work are truly incredible.
Therapeutic Massage
Our therapeutic massage sessions incorporate tailored pressure and a combination of modalities to address each client’s individual health issues, concerns, and goals. This non-demanding treatment promotes a calm nervous system and restoration and is wonderful for any client. Relaxation massages are fluid and soothing and are designed to quiet the body and the mind.
Occupational Therapy
A valuable set of skills to serve folks with cancer, cancer history, lymphedema, and lipedema, including MLD, rehabilitative exercises, and manual therapy for scars and other tissue conditions following surgery or radiation (such as axillary web syndrome/cording and limited range of motion). We can measure patients for compression garments, provide bandaging (and self-bandaging help) for lymphedema, and can order pneumatic pumps as appropriate.
The team …
Megan Belanger
Chrissy Heyl
Jaclyn Delrosario
onerivermassage.com
508 986 8601
45 Lyman Street, Suite 22
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
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