Oncology massage: what it is and how to find a trained therapist

Start with your oncology team

Your oncologist or nurse knows your treatment plan and can tell you whether massage makes sense for you right now and what to avoid. Some cancer centers offer massage themselves or know therapists nearby. Massage goes alongside cancer treatment and never replaces it.

A 2022 guideline on cancer pain from the Society for Integrative Oncology and ASCO mentions massage only for pain during palliative or hospice care, where it says massage may be recommended. Read the guideline summary. Your team can tell you whether any of it applies to you.

Finding an oncology massage therapist near you

The Society for Oncology Massage publishes a guide to what to look for in an oncology-trained therapist, and a Preferred Practitioner directory you can search. S4OM: what to look for. Your cancer center's support or survivorship program is also worth asking.

Massage therapy rules are set state by state. The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards keeps a list of state boards. Check a therapist's license with the board in the state where they practice. FSMTB state board list. A license doesn't tell you whether someone has trained in oncology massage, so ask about that separately.

In Illinois? Our Illinois guide covers the state license check there.

What to tell the therapist

Share where you are in treatment and anything your team has told you to watch for: low blood counts, a higher risk of bleeding or blood clots, cancer in the bones, recent surgery or radiation, lymph nodes removed, or a port or other device. A therapist with oncology training should ask about these before the session starts.

Lymphedema treatment is a different kind of care, usually from a certified lymphedema therapist. If you have swelling or had lymph nodes removed, ask your team which you need.

Questions to ask before a first session

• What oncology massage training do you have, and how often do you see people in or after cancer treatment?
• How will you change the session for my treatment, port or surgery site?
• Will you talk with my oncology team if I ask you to?
• What will you use on skin that had radiation? (Ask your team what to avoid there.)
• What does a session cost, and what happens if I feel unwell on the day and need to cancel?

Insurance may not cover massage, and plans differ. Call the number on your insurance card to ask about yours.

Hear when a practitioner in your state joins Alongside

Alongside is adding practitioners who work with people in cancer care, and we verify each license before a practitioner can accept patients. Pick your state and we'll send one email when someone licensed there joins.

Are you a massage therapist who works with people in cancer care?

Joining is free today, you set your own rates, and we verify your license before you can accept patients. We are adding Illinois practitioners first. See how joining works.