Massage Therapy

Feel Better. Heal Better.

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Personalized Massage Therapy Services at Highlands

Highlands Oncology offers professionally tailored massage services to meet the unique needs of our patients. Our massage thereapists are specialzied in oncology massage to assure compassionate and safe techniques are used to address symptoms of cancer as well as side effects of treatment.

Potential Benefits of Oncology Massage

  • Relaxation 1,6
  • Less stress and anxiety 1,7
  • Chemotherapy-related nausea 7,8
  • Pain control 2,3,7
  • Prevention of peripheral neuropathy when treated with paclitaxel 4
  • Enhanced well-being during palliative care 1
  • Fatigue 5, 7

Cautions and Risks

Potential risks or indications of the need to avoid massage may be any current infections, low white blood cell count, low platelet count, high risk of fractures, current skin breakdown, current or suspected blood clots, reactions or sensitivities to lotions or massage oils. If you have any questions regarding the safety of a massage, please discuss them with your doctor prior to booking. We also ask avoidance of scheduling massage within 24 hours before or after a PET scan.

Each patient’s massage is designed for their specific needs while taking into account their condition, symptoms, treatment type, and response to treatment. Many massage and bodywork modalities are available including:

MASSAGE THERAPIST

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Lisa Sotomayor, LMT

Options and Pricing

These prices and options are current as of January 1, 2025. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us for more information.

Relaxing Swedish Massage or Deep Tissue Massage

For Highlands Oncology Patient: $75 for 60 Minutes

For Caregiver: $85 for 60 Minutes

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage (MLD) or Neuropathy Massage

For Highlands Oncology Patient: $85 for 60 Minutes

For Caregiver: $95 for 60 Minutes

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If you are interested in scheduling a massage, you may complete the application below. Our rehab team will review your application and consult with your medical team as needed to verify concerns.

Massage Therapy Request

Highlands Massage Application

Highlands massage prioritizes cancer patients who are actively treating as well as those who are experiencing acute lymphedema exacerbations. We also serve primary caregivers of Highlands patients as well as Highlands rehab patients who require lymphatic massage. To help ensure we are meeting this need, and to allow availability for scheduling new clients without an untimely delay, we are requiring the following application to be completed. We will review the application and will contact you with our decision. If you are a Highlands patient, we may also review your medical record and/or contact your physician to assist with our decision. We reserve the right to release you at any time you no longer meet the criteria, or we consider massage to not be a safe option for your care. Should you qualify, we will inform you of the scheduling guidelines. If you do not meet the criteria at the time of application, you may re-apply for re-consideration if your condition changes.

Name(Required)
Preferred Communication
Which location are you requesting Massage?(Required)
Purpose of Massage(Required)
Type of Massage Desired

Resources:

  1. Armstrong, M., Flemming, K., Kupeli, N. et al. Aromatherapy, Massage and Reflexology: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of the Perspectives from People with Palliative Care Needs. Palliative Medicine. 2019.
  2. DaSilva, P., Moreira, G., Zomkowski, K., denoronha M, Al, Sperandio, F. Manual Therapy as Treatment for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Female Breast Cancer Survivors; A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Sept 2019, Vol 42, Issue 7: 503-513..
  3. Gentile, D., Boselli, D., O’Neill, G. et al. Cancer Pain Relief After Healing Touch and Massage. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018. 24(9-10):968-973.
  4. Izgu, N., Metin, Z., Karadas, C. et al. Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy with Classical Massage in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Paclitaxel: An Assessor-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2019. 40:36-43.
  5. Kinkead, B., Schettler, P., Larson, E. et al. Massage Therapy Decreases Cancer-Related Fatigue: Results From a Randomized Early Phase Trial. Cancer. 2018. 124(3):546-554.
  6. Lyman, G., Greenlee, H., Bohlke, K. et al. Integrative Therapies During and After Breast Cancer Treatment: ASCO Endorsement of the SIO Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2018. 36(25):2647-2655.
  7. Robison, J., and C. Smith. Therapeutic Massage During Chemotherapy and/or Biotherapy Infusions: Patient Perceptions of Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, Anxiety, and Satisfaction. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2016. 20(2):E34-40.
  8. Sheikhi, M., Ebadi, A., Talaeizadeh, A., and H. Rahmani. Alternative Methods to Treat Nausea and Vomiting from Cancer Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy Research and Practice. 2015. 2015:818759