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Section 7
Complementary and Alternative
Medicine
MASSAGE AND
REFLEXOLOGY
One of the most effective complementary modalities is massage, and
we have certainly found that to be the case at Memorial. Breast
cancer patients seem to thrive on it — both massage and reflexology,
which is foot massage. Massage is something that one can literally
prescribe to a patient, preferably from someone who knows how to
do it properly.
There is definitely
a physiologic effect — it’s been measured — and a
good massage, as is true of many of the other complementary modalities,
will lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate and have all kinds
of beneficial physiologic effects. It also relaxes muscles and,
in a circular fashion, relieves distress. It should be done by therapists
who are very well-trained, licensed and certified.
Reflexology
is a foot massage,and it’s based on a non-scientific idea that
if you press certain parts of the foot, it will affect the liver,etc.,
and that’s certainly not valid. But the foot massage itself
is so wonderful! Patients love it. And we’ve actually learned
that foot massage for bedridden patients helps them get out of bed
and walk more quickly and more easily.
MUSIC THERAPY
Our music therapists are professional musicians — usually classically
trained — who have been on the stage for years and have decided
that they want to go back to school and get a degree to practice
music therapy. And there are several schools in the United States
where one can receive a graduate degree in music therapy —
a master’s or doctorate. These people are excellent musicians
and know exactly how to interact with patients in the most effective
way. They bring the patients out, help with communication and involve
the patient in the music. It can be a very creative and fruitful
process. There’s something about music therapy that must hit
a very primitive part of the brain, because occasionally even patients
in coma will come out of it to the point of opening their eyes and
recognizing their family members. It’s a remarkable experience.
We’ve seen it several times.
—Barrie
Cassileth, PhD
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Review Select Publications
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Review Other Clinical Trials
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