Using Massage to Lower Cancer-Causing Stress
Regular massage is an effective way of lowering stress hormome cortisol levels that have been clinically shown in trials to directly suppress immune system functioning and have been directly linked to premature death, depression, stress and many diseases including cancer. Prolonged stress also depletes adrenaline levels in the body, causing glucose levels to rise in normal cells. Viral-bacterial-yeast-like fungus feeds on and ferments this glucose, breaking the cell’s Kreb’s (oxygen) cycle, and causing cells to mutate into cancer cells. [See: The Cancer-Stress Link] The practice of massage to lower stress hormone cortisol levels and restore adrenaline levels was further validated when it became the cornerstone of a new program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, generally considered to be one of the world's top-ranked cancer hospitals. It is critical for the cancer patient to lower stress hormone cortisol levels within their body in order for their immune system to recover and to restore adrenaline levels to normal to prevent new cancer cell mutations. During a massage, the mind sends signals to the nervous system to completely relax the entire body at a very deep level. This results in a significant lowering of stress hormone cortisol levels.Use gentle strokes only to massage the entire body.
Regular massage is an effective way of lowering stress hormome cortisol levels that have been clinically shown in trials to directly suppress immune system functioning and have been directly linked to premature death, depression, stress and many diseases including cancer. Prolonged stress also depletes adrenaline levels in the body, causing glucose levels to rise in normal cells. Viral-bacterial-yeast-like fungus feeds on and ferments this glucose, breaking the cell’s Kreb’s (oxygen) cycle, and causing cells to mutate into cancer cells. [See: The Cancer-Stress Link] The practice of massage to lower stress hormone cortisol levels and restore adrenaline levels was further validated when it became the cornerstone of a new program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, generally considered to be one of the world's top-ranked cancer hospitals. It is critical for the cancer patient to lower stress hormone cortisol levels within their body in order for their immune system to recover and to restore adrenaline levels to normal to prevent new cancer cell mutations. During a massage, the mind sends signals to the nervous system to completely relax the entire body at a very deep level. This results in a significant lowering of stress hormone cortisol levels.Use gentle strokes only to massage the entire body.
World Research Shows Massage Benefits Cancer Outcomes
1. Women with advanced breast cancer who have abnormal daytime levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, are significantly more likely to die sooner than patients with normal levels of the hormone, Stanford researchers report in a newly published study. The researchers also found that women with these abnormal cortisol levels had fewer immune system cells known as natural killer cells, and this reduced immunity was associated with higher mortality. [Stanford University School of Medicine, USA]
2. "One of the three ongoing studies with women who have Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancer has already shown massage producing a reduction of anxiety and an increase in natural killer cell numbers. Fifty-eight (58) breast cancer patients from the Miami area participated in the study. Participants, who were in the early stages of cancer, received 20-minute massage therapy twice a week for five weeks; others in a control group received no massage therapy. At the end of the five week period, blood tests indicated an 11 percent increase in the number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells among the participants who received massage therapy. These participants also reported being less depressed, less anxious and less angry, as well as having more vigor than the control group. [The Touch Research Institute - University of Miami Medical Centre]
3. People living with cancer report that weekly massage improves their quality of life. They have more energy, are better able to perform daily activities, and have less psychological distress. [The Oncology Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital]
4. During this study (of HIV+ men) massage intervention showed that there was a significant decrease in state anxiety, a significant increase in relaxation, a significant increase in Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, a significant increase in cytotoxic T cells, and a significant decrease in urinary cortisol. [International Journal of Neuroscience]
5. "Cortisol (stress hormone level) concentrations decreased consistently after massage." [Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London]
6. According to leading cancer center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, "What is currently being demonstrated about massage through research studies is that the emotional, physical and spiritual well being it brings to patients is significant. These effects may eventually be shown to overwhelm any possible risks by enhancing a sense of well-being and stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer better. Enhancing circulation could also theoretically allow for greater circulation of immune cells"
7. Nurse researcher, Susie Wilkinson, of the Marie Curie Cancer Centre in Liverpool, England, studied the effects of a series of four weekly, full-body massages on the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. Aside from relaxation, 33 percent reported pain reduction, while 20 percent reported other physical benefits such as decreased edema, increased mobility, and improved skin condition. About half indicated that the positive aspects of the massage had been mainly physical, while the other half reported the primary benefit to be emotional or spiritual. One of the important emotional themes that surfaced for patients was the benefit of being given time and attention specifically for them. For some, the massage sessions were a time out from the illness.
1. Women with advanced breast cancer who have abnormal daytime levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress, are significantly more likely to die sooner than patients with normal levels of the hormone, Stanford researchers report in a newly published study. The researchers also found that women with these abnormal cortisol levels had fewer immune system cells known as natural killer cells, and this reduced immunity was associated with higher mortality. [Stanford University School of Medicine, USA]
2. "One of the three ongoing studies with women who have Stage 1 and Stage 2 breast cancer has already shown massage producing a reduction of anxiety and an increase in natural killer cell numbers. Fifty-eight (58) breast cancer patients from the Miami area participated in the study. Participants, who were in the early stages of cancer, received 20-minute massage therapy twice a week for five weeks; others in a control group received no massage therapy. At the end of the five week period, blood tests indicated an 11 percent increase in the number of natural killer cells that destroy cancer cells among the participants who received massage therapy. These participants also reported being less depressed, less anxious and less angry, as well as having more vigor than the control group. [The Touch Research Institute - University of Miami Medical Centre]
3. People living with cancer report that weekly massage improves their quality of life. They have more energy, are better able to perform daily activities, and have less psychological distress. [The Oncology Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital]
4. During this study (of HIV+ men) massage intervention showed that there was a significant decrease in state anxiety, a significant increase in relaxation, a significant increase in Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, a significant increase in cytotoxic T cells, and a significant decrease in urinary cortisol. [International Journal of Neuroscience]
5. "Cortisol (stress hormone level) concentrations decreased consistently after massage." [Department of Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London]
6. According to leading cancer center Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, "What is currently being demonstrated about massage through research studies is that the emotional, physical and spiritual well being it brings to patients is significant. These effects may eventually be shown to overwhelm any possible risks by enhancing a sense of well-being and stimulating the immune system to fight the cancer better. Enhancing circulation could also theoretically allow for greater circulation of immune cells"
7. Nurse researcher, Susie Wilkinson, of the Marie Curie Cancer Centre in Liverpool, England, studied the effects of a series of four weekly, full-body massages on the quality of life for patients with advanced cancer. Aside from relaxation, 33 percent reported pain reduction, while 20 percent reported other physical benefits such as decreased edema, increased mobility, and improved skin condition. About half indicated that the positive aspects of the massage had been mainly physical, while the other half reported the primary benefit to be emotional or spiritual. One of the important emotional themes that surfaced for patients was the benefit of being given time and attention specifically for them. For some, the massage sessions were a time out from the illness.
Massage with Lavender Oil Significantly Reduces Stress
Lavender Essential Oil works to calm a variety of nervous disorders including depression, nervous tension, panic, and hysteria. It emanates a mellow peacefulness and induces sleep. Sleep is critical for the cancer patient for a number of reasons. Firstly, a peaceful night's sleep significantly reduces the stress hormone cortisol, enabling the body's immune system to recover. Secondly, deep sleep for extended periods between 12am-3am increases melatonin levels produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Melatonin is vital for preventing cancer cell growth.
Simply inhaling Lavender Essential Oil releases various neuro-chemicals in the brain. When Lavender is inhaled, serotonin is released from the raphe nucleus of the brain, producing a calming influence on the mind, the body and the spirit. The combination of smell and touch causes powerful responses, physically and emotionally. Having a massage with Lavender Oil can have an extremely calming effect on a person's autonomic nervous system, helping to significantly reduce stress hormone cortisol levels. To induce sleep and overcome insomnia: Place 7-8 drops pure grade Lavender Oil in an oil burner in your bedroom before going to sleep and leave to burn all night.
Lavender Essential Oil works to calm a variety of nervous disorders including depression, nervous tension, panic, and hysteria. It emanates a mellow peacefulness and induces sleep. Sleep is critical for the cancer patient for a number of reasons. Firstly, a peaceful night's sleep significantly reduces the stress hormone cortisol, enabling the body's immune system to recover. Secondly, deep sleep for extended periods between 12am-3am increases melatonin levels produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Melatonin is vital for preventing cancer cell growth.
Simply inhaling Lavender Essential Oil releases various neuro-chemicals in the brain. When Lavender is inhaled, serotonin is released from the raphe nucleus of the brain, producing a calming influence on the mind, the body and the spirit. The combination of smell and touch causes powerful responses, physically and emotionally. Having a massage with Lavender Oil can have an extremely calming effect on a person's autonomic nervous system, helping to significantly reduce stress hormone cortisol levels. To induce sleep and overcome insomnia: Place 7-8 drops pure grade Lavender Oil in an oil burner in your bedroom before going to sleep and leave to burn all night.
