Finding an oncology massage therapist in Illinois

Talk to your oncology team first

Your oncologist or nurse knows your treatment plan and can tell you whether massage is a good idea for you right now, and anything to avoid. Some cancer centers may offer massage themselves or know therapists nearby. Massage goes alongside your cancer treatment and never replaces it.

Professional groups have looked at the research. A 2022 guideline from the Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO covers pain during palliative or hospice care and says massage may be recommended for patients with that pain. Read the guideline summary. Your team can tell you whether any of it applies to you.

Check the Illinois license

Illinois licenses massage therapists through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), and its massage therapy page has licensing information. IDFPR massage therapy page. A state license doesn't tell you whether someone has trained in oncology massage, so ask about that separately.

The Society for Oncology Massage publishes a guide to what to look for in an oncology-trained therapist, and a Preferred Practitioner directory. S4OM: what to look for.

What to tell the massage therapist

Share where you are in treatment and anything your oncology team has told you to watch for, such as low blood counts, a higher risk of bleeding or blood clots, bone involvement, recent surgery or radiation, lymph nodes removed, or a port or other device. A therapist trained in oncology massage should ask about these, and may adjust pressure, position and areas to avoid.

If you have lymphedema or lymph nodes removed, ask your team whether you need a certified lymphedema therapist. That's a different kind of care from a relaxation massage.

Questions worth asking before a first session

• What training do you have in oncology massage, and how often do you work with people in or after cancer treatment?
• How will you adjust the session for my treatment, port or surgery site?
• Will you talk with my oncology team if I ask you to?
• Do you use lotions or oils that are gentle on skin after radiation? (Ask your team what to avoid on treated skin.)
• What does a session cost, and how do cancellations work if I feel unwell on the day?

Insurance may not cover massage, and coverage varies between plans. Call the number on your insurance card to ask what yours covers.

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