Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People with Cancer [Paperback]

Gayle MacDonald MS LMT (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

A practical book written for both health professionals and the layperson, this revised guide deconstructs common myths about the use of massage in cancer treatment. Reviewing literature that shows cancer to be caused by genetic mutation and the influence of hormones, the opening discussion emphasizes that mechanical action such as massage does not break tumors open or cause them to spread. The book purports that the real medical issues for massage therapists center on ameliorating the discomfort of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. The topics covered include massage in hospitals, in respite care, for the dying, and for exhausted caregivers, with appendices summarizing research on oncology patients and massage. Charts for the adjustment of massage techniques according to the treatment a patient is undergoing are also included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent resource which has long been needed by health professionals."  —Bernie Siegel, author, Prescriptions for Living

About the Author

Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT, supervises massage therapists in the oncology units of Oregon Health and Science University and is the author of Massage for the Hospital Patient and Medically Frail Client. She lives in Portland, Oregon, and Phoenix, Arizona.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Findhorn Press; 2nd edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844090906
• ISBN-13: 978-1844090907
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Massage does ease physical & emotional pain., July 13, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medicine Hands (Paperback)

The American Cancer Society has recently listed Massage as a form of releif of pain for cancer patients. This was a big step and Gayle MacDonald's book is the next step. Often times the touch that cancer patients are recieving is not comforting, it is only related to often painful treatment. To be touched by someone with a compasionate intent is amazing. Gayle exlpains that healing touch is not the ability of a person to literaly touch and cure someone, healing is a sense of peace, a pain free hour, quality of end of life. Gayle does an amazing job of getting thoughts and techniques out to help people wishing to become more educated in this area of massage. Gayle is sharing imortant knowledge and it is written in a way that a student, Massage Therapist of 10 years, or family member of someone with cancer can read and gain an amazing understanding of the best way to treat those with cancer.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of information..., November 18, 2001

By 

Penny G "muzorch" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medicine Hands (Paperback)

I found this book to be a true inspiration for me. I found out about it through one of the Massage magazines and I can honestly say it was one of the best and most important purchaces I made since I graduted from massage school in 1999.

I have used it as a reference while doing volunteer as an LMT on the oncology unit at my local hospital and it was extremely helpful. Staff and students alike were very impressed with it when I showed it to them. The layout of this book is very user friendly and the appendixes and references in the back were excellent.

I personally feel it's a good ideal to get further training related to the oncology in the clincal enviroment as far as massage concerned. Yet this book was also very clear as about the limitaions and contraindications which made me feel at ease. This book is an excellent starting point for thoes wishing to give care to people facing Cancer and is quite thorough in all topic covered. It can help the therapist, student therapist and/or caregiver understand the challenges and rewards of providing the gift of touch at a time when it maybe needed it most.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderfully insightful book, October 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Medicine Hands (Paperback)

As a massage therapist, I was trained that massage was generally contraindicated for cancer patients. Gayle does a wonderful job of explaining why massage is appropriate, the chemistry behind metastisis and the issues around massage treatment along the continuum of cancer treatment. It also has a chapter on death and dying that I recommend to many patients. I have made this a required text in the therapeutic massage program as our local community college.