LEXINGTON, Ky. — Massage therapy is far more than a relaxation technique — it can be an essential component of cancer treatment, according to a health column published by the University of Kentucky.

Jill Cole, massage therapy coordinator for UK Integrative Medicine and Health, explained that specialized massage can help cancer patients manage pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression while improving sleep quality. The key difference from traditional massage is the approach: therapists use gentler techniques adapted to the patient's specific condition and treatment stage.

"Oncology massage" — massage therapy designed for patients undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment — requires specialized training. Therapists adjust pressure levels and avoid manipulating sensitive areas such as tumor sites or areas affected by surgery or lymph node removal. For some patients, gentler therapies like reflexology, which targets pressure points on hands and feet, can provide relief.

A particular benefit involves lymphatic drainage massage, which addresses lymphedema, a common side effect where the lymphatic system cannot properly return excess fluids to the bloodstream. The condition can cause painful swelling in hands, arms, legs and feet. A 2022 study approved by MD Anderson Cancer Center found 88% of participants reported improved neuropathy — numbness and tingling in extremities caused by chemotherapy — after oncology massage.

The UK Markey Cancer Center, the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offers massage as part of its Integrative Medicine & Health program. The clinic also provides acupuncture, Jin Shin Jyutsu, narrative medicine and reiki, along with group classes in yoga, meditation and tai chi.

Insurance may cover oncology massage as part of cancer treatment, Cole noted, and flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts can be used to pay for sessions. The American Massage Therapy Association and the Society for Oncology Massage maintain directories of qualified practitioners.