Oncology Massage and Deep Vein Thrombosis: Is It Safe?
Oncology massage, especially in the context of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), is a specialized modality characterized by gentle pressure and slow movement. This technique, while generally tailored to individuals living with cancer, is also beneficial for those who have battled cancer in the past. Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can have lasting effects on the body long after the cancer is in remission.
For this reason, it’s important for oncology massage therapists to know what those complications might look like in case a patient doesn’t disclose a past cancer diagnosis. Deep vein thrombosis, a potential side effect of cancer treatment, occurs when a blood clot forms in at least one of the deep veins in the body. While DVT usually manifests in the legs, it can also occur at or near the site of a chemo port (a type of catheter inserted into the deep veins of the chest) which can potentially cause injury to the veins and disrupt blood flow.
Surgeries and radiation also increase the risk of DVT by causing tissue injury and the microscopic level. Even without intervention, cancer alone contributes to DVT because it causes inflammation, making blood more likely to clot. The presence of tumors can also lead to blockages that impact blood circulation. Knowing these factors, it’s no surprise that individuals with cancer or a history of the disease are at 4-7x greater risk of developing DVT than those without.
Why Recognizing DVT Symptoms Matters in Oncology Massage
Oncology massage, when performed correctly, has many benefits for cancer patients. The relaxing effects can reduce pain and fatigue; two side effects that contribute to feelings of nausea.
This type of massage is also characterized by components of lymphatic drainage massage; clearing and reabsorption. The gentle strokes of clearing release lymphatic fluid into tissues, while reabsorption light sweeping and pumping movements to encourage lymphatic travel through the vessels and into the nodes for neutralization. For this reason oncology massage is also beneficial for lymphedema caused by cancer.
Lymphatic Drainage
If the massage is done incorrectly, however, it can be counterproductive; especially for a person with or at risk for DVT. An improperly applied massage – too deep, too vigorous, or involving improper equipment such as hot stones – has the potential to dislodge a blood clot, which can be deadly.
With this knowledge, massage should only be applied to a person with (or suspected to have) DVT after a physician has deemed the treatment safe. Should a massage therapist notice and signs of DVT (listed in the next section) that the patient didn’t disclose in the pre consultation, the affected area should be avoided. Even if the patient insists on having the area massaged, the therapist needs to err on the side of caution and stay away from it until a doctor approves of the treatment.
Symptoms of DVT
Though DVT can be present with no visible signs, symptoms include:
- Leg swelling
- May also affect ankle
- Pain, cramping, or soreness in leg
- Discomfort often starts in the calf
- Change in skin color of leg
- Red, blue or purple
- Feeling of warmth in leg
Questions To Ask
As mentioned in the previous section, DVT can be present without outward evidence. What questions does a massage therapist need to ask before the massage begins?
Have you ever had a blood clot?
- If you’ve ever had a blood clot, you are at increased risk for DVT for the rest of your life.
Do you have a history of cancer?
- Some cancers pose a higher risk for DVT than others: brain, renal, liver, lung, pancreatic, uterine, ovarian, and stomach.
Have you ever used a chemo port?
- If this is the case, know the signs of DVT and look for them in the chest and arm areas.
Is Massage Therapy Safe for DVT?
The potential risks of an improperly applied oncology massage and DVT-related complications can be discouraging. However, massage therapy can still be safe for individuals with or at risk for DVT – with physician approval and proper technique. An oncology or lymphatic drainage massage can be safely administered if it is performed by a therapist with specialized training and after a doctor has approved the treatment.
Katrina Jenkins
Author, Licensed Massage Therapist
Katrina Jenkins graduated from Towson University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and worked as a nurse’s aide briefly before pursuing her true passion. She graduated from the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado in April 2016 with honors and completed the Touch of Healers Scholarship Program the following summer. She has been a part of the Moyer Total Wellness Team since the summer of 2017.
Resources
American Massage Therapy Association. (n.d.). Massage Therapy for Cancer Patients | AMTA. [online] Available at: https://www.amtamassage.org/resources/massage-and-health/medical-treatments/massage-for-cancer-patients/.
Curtis, L. (2023). How to Give Yourself a Lymphatic Drainage Self-Massage. [online] Verywell Health. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/lymphatic-drainage-massage-7972279.
Machat, S., Eisenhuber, E., Pfarl, G., Stübler, J., Koelblinger, C., Zacherl, J. and Schima, W. (2019). Complications of central venous port systems: a pictorial review. Insights into Imaging, [online] 10(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0770-2.
Mayo Clinic (2022). Deep Vein Thrombosis – Symptoms and causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557.
Photo Credit
Canva by Henadzi Pechan
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