Two clients come in with interesting stories. The first tells you she received chemotherapy two days ago while wearing an odd-looking cap with a chin strap. It was a special “cold cap” cooled her scalp during the chemotherapy infusion. It made for a chilly session, so the infusion staff took pains to keep the rest […]
Ethics in Oncology Massage and Hospice Care
My client complained about her doctor, the nurses, and the general care she was receiving during cancer treatment. She went on for some time. Now and then, she took a breath, then looked at me as though to ask “Do you agree?” I held her gaze. It seemed like a challenge to choose sides. Agree, […]
7 Reasons Not to “Give Your Client Whatever They Want” at End of Life
“How was your massage last week?” “It was fine, good, actually. But honestly I would have liked it much harder. Can you go deeper today?” My client was speaking to me from her bed. She had advanced pancreatic cancer. Her pain was deep and constant. She wanted relief, and she wanted heavy massage. I’ve had […]
Massage Therapy and the Benefits of Cereal
William Bernbach, a famous advertising executive, gave us Mikey and his bowl of Life cereal in the 1970’s. A wildly successful ad campaign, it became a classic. It reportedly ran for 12 years. In the 30-second spot, Mikey’s older brother’s are skeptical of a cereal that is “supposed to be good for you.” So they […]
One Massage Study Does Not “Prove” a Point…
…For a massage claim to be accurate, it needs to be backed by the strongest evidence. Yet some of the massage studies we’ve quoted for years are neither strong, nor conclusive. In a few weeks, the Massage Therapy Foundation will release my free e-book, “Five Myths and Truths about Massage Therapy.” When it’s up, I’ll […]
Massage, Endorphins, and Sacred Cows
From time to time this blog will focus on massage therapy research, and we’ll shine a light on some of the myths, or “sacred cows” we’ve been taught about its effects. First up: a claim we’ve been making for years, with little to support it. It’s common practice to state that massage therapy increases endorphins. […]