Massage activates killer cells
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Massage and Cancer Symptoms
A study was made of 16 bedridden elderly stroke patients. A 10-min skin rubdown for about 10 min was administered for 10 days. Blood was collected at noon on the day before skin rubdown, 5 days and 10 days after initiation and 5 days after completion, and the neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, serum gamma globulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and natural killer cell activity were measured. In nine of these 16 patients, B, T, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts were also measured on the same days. There were no significant changes in the time course of the lymphocyte count, gamma globulin or CRP levels. The neutrophil count increased 10 days after initiation of the skin rubdown, and natural killer cell activity increased 5 days and 10 days days after initiation, and returned to the baseline level 5 days after completion. Although there were no changes in the time course of the B, T, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts, the CD4/CD8 ratio showed an increase 5 days after initiation and completion. The authors concluded that skin rubdown activates natural killer cells, which may be attributed to the effect of certain mediators released from the T lymphocytes and/or the stimulated effect on the sympathetic nerves.
Iwama H, Akama Y. Skin rubdown with a dry towel activates natural killer cells in bedridden old patients.
Cancer Killer cells activated by massage
The benefits of massage for these clients include improved blood
circulation, equalized blood pressure, and help with fatigue and
nausea. The place to start is by consulting with your physician
and your massage therapist. For those who are 2-3 months out
from treatment, bodywork that can be used includes lymph
drainage therapies, trigger point therapy, neuromuscular
therapy, myotherapy and myofascial release, among others. It's
better to wait before receiving deeper work.
While hospitalized, some appropriate techniques include
cranialsacral therapy, polarity therapy, reiki and Therapeutic
Touch. MacDonald said no matter how severe the cancer
treatment's side effects, a way can always be found to
administer some type of bodywork. According to massage therapist
and former oncology nurse Cheryl Chapman, while it's important
to receive touch from a qualified practitioner who has worked
with cancer patients before, "Touch is always appropriate --
there isn't anyone who is untouchable."