Living with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment often means adapting to many changes: physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s natural to have questions about what is safe, what should be avoided, and whether massage therapy is still an option.
One of the most common misconceptions is that Oncology Massage is a completely different type of massage. In reality, it isn’t. Oncology Massage is not defined by a specific technique or style. Instead, it is an approach to massage therapy based on understanding how cancer, cancer treatments, and overall health may affect the body, and how each treatment can be safely adapted to meet your individual needs. Every person’s journey is different. The type of cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, medications, fatigue, skin changes, and many other factors can influence how massage therapy should be provided. Because of this, there is no “standard” Oncology Massage treatment. Every session is individualized.
Your appointment begins with a thorough health assessment and conversation about your current condition. Your Registered Massage Therapist will consider your health status, stage of treatment, medical history, and comfort level before determining whether massage therapy is appropriate and how your treatment should be adapted. Treatment modifications may include adjustments to pressure, positioning, treatment areas, session length, pace, or techniques used. Sometimes only a few small modifications are needed. In other cases, more significant adjustments may be appropriate. Every decision is made with one goal in mind: providing safe, individualized care that respects where you are in your treatment journey.
It’s also important to know that Oncology Massage is not simply “a lighter massage.” While lighter pressure may be appropriate for some clients, others may safely receive moderate or deeper pressure in certain areas. The treatment is guided by clinical assessment and professional judgment, not by the diagnosis alone.
In some situations, your therapist may recommend obtaining medical clearance from your physician or healthcare team before proceeding with treatment. This decision is always based on your individual health status and is made with your safety as our highest priority.
At NESTERRA, we believe massage therapy should never become another challenge for your body to recover from. Instead, our goal is to create a calm, supportive environment where you feel comfortable, respected, and cared for from the moment you arrive.
Every Oncology Massage Therapy session is thoughtfully planned around your individual needs, allowing you to relax with confidence, knowing your treatment has been carefully adapted with your safety, comfort, and well-being in mind.
This service is provided by Tatiana and Erika, Registered Massage Therapists who have completed additional professional training in working with clients with cancer and those undergoing cancer treatment. Using appropriate treatment modifications and professional clinical judgment, they provide safe, individualized care whenever massage therapy is appropriate.
Our guiding principle is simple: the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time.
