Cancer
patients are typically overwhelmed by the stress of the cancer experience.
They face a new vocabulary, new people, new places, loss of control, an
uncertain future and multiple side effects of treatment. Fear, pain,
nausea, anxiety and depression wash over and through mind and body.
The cumulative stress amplifies each of these.
Oncology massage directly addresses that stress. The
fear, pain, nausea, anxiety and depression are usually reduced and one or
more may disappear.
The therapist works to create an environment that is as neutral/boring as
possible. Low lights, quiet music, minimal outside noise, consistently
gentle touch and slow repetitive movements are designed to deprive the
client’s mind of things to think about.
The client frequently appears to be asleep – breathing and heart rate are
slow and regular. The body is motionless except for occasional involuntary
twitches. The client may snore … but, looks are deceiving. In fact, the
client is fully awake and will respond to a question immediately and
appropriately. The client is in a meditative state akin to that of
traditional meditation. But it is achieved without the client having done
the extensive practice that traditional meditation requires. This meditative
state has been called “massage mind”.
In massage mind the brain has shifted into neutral and is idling. No
thoughts or images intrude. There is no awareness of the body. There is no
concept of time. There is no dreaming. There is only a vague awareness of
touch.
Many
oncology massage clients experience massage mind, some completely so in the
first session. Others find it deepens with successive massages. When asked
about it after the session they find it difficult to describe unless they
are practiced meditators. There is nothing similar in ordinary experience.
However, they are quick to describe the benefits. “I felt an overwhelming
sense of peace.” “I don’t know where I’ve been, but I didn’t want to come
back.” “The tension and stress just melted away.” “It’s like a vacation from
cancer”.
Bruce Hopkins
Portland, ME
