Medicine Hands (Paperback)

by Gayle MacDonald MS LMT (Author)
Key Phrases: therapy for people with cancer, seated massage, massage plan, New York, Massage Adjustments Pressure, Don Hamilton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
Medicine Hands debunks a pervasive health myth that massage is anathema for those suffering with cancer. The idea that cancer can metastasize as a result of massage is not rooted in any science. This book cites clinical evidence that proves just the opposite. Touch and massage are vital to a cancer patient’s health and well-being.

Medicine Hands is a practical book written for both health professionals and the lay person. Research is highlighted with anecdotes, stories, and vignettes of cancer patients, massage therapists, caregivers, hospice workers and other health professionals. Practical information is presented on administering touch, drug-related considerations, providing care at home, and dealing with hospital and hospice situations.

Medicine Hands is an invaluable resource for:
Massage therapists and other touch therapists
Cancer patients and their caregivers and families
Oncologists and cancer treatment centers
Natural health clinics
Massage and alternative medicine educational settings
Health care professionals: nurses, doctors, hospice workers

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Findhorn Press (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1899171770
• ISBN-13: 978-1899171774
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #535,131 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 82 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

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.

36 of 36 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

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.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.