Oncology Massage
Gentle, adapted massage for people living with or recovering from cancer.
Booking opens soon
We’re opening with our therapies first. Register your interest and we’ll let you know as soon as booking opens.
Register your interestA consultation and suitability screening are completed before your first treatment. See Before you book below.
Oncology Massage is a gentle, specialist massage adapted for people who are living with cancer, undergoing treatment, or recovering afterwards. Each treatment is tailored to the individual, taking into account diagnosis, current or previous treatment, surgery, radiotherapy, medication, medical devices, skin changes and fatigue. Pressure is generally light to gentle, and areas affected by surgery, radiotherapy, wounds, fragile skin, ports, PICC lines, stomas or lymph node removal may be avoided or adapted.
At Health Pod Frodsham it is available as a Full Body massage or a focused Back massage, subject to consultation and suitability, and every treatment is adapted to your diagnosis and stage of treatment. If you are currently undergoing active cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, we ask for approval from your oncology team before your first treatment, and we may ask you to confirm this before we proceed. It is intended to support comfort, relaxation and wellbeing alongside medical care. Oncology massage is not designed to treat cancer and does not replace treatment or advice from your GP, consultant or oncology team. Individual responses vary.
Potential benefits
- Deep relaxation and reduced muscular tension
- Improved comfort and emotional wellbeing
- Support for restful sleep for some clients
- Dedicated time for self-care alongside medical care
Who may benefit
- People living with or recovering from cancer who have been assessed as suitable
- Clients experiencing stress, fatigue, muscular tension or sleep difficulties
- Those seeking gentle, supportive touch and relaxation
Before you book
Your wellbeing comes first. Everyone completes a consultation and suitability screening before their first treatment, so we can make sure it’s right for you. The notes below help you know what to tell us.
May not be suitable if you have
- Within 24 hours of certain chemotherapy medications (including Thiotepa, Methotrexate, cytosine-based treatment, cyclophosphamide/CP and Cytoxan) — the appointment is rearranged
- Fever, contagious illness or active infection, or feeling acutely unwell on the day
- Unexplained new symptoms or a sudden deterioration in health
- Open wounds, active skin infection or areas of severe skin damage
- A suspected or confirmed blood clot or deep vein thrombosis
May need a chat or clearance first
- Active cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy — approval from your oncology team is required before we can proceed
- You must disclose all chemotherapy, anti-cancer medication and recent infusions, with the date and time of your most recent treatment
- Very low blood counts, significant bleeding or bruising risk, or severe immune suppression, unless medically approved
- Recent surgery where massage has not yet been approved
- A full consultation is required; treatment may be adapted, postponed or GP/consultant/oncology-team clearance requested
These lists are not exhaustive. Treatment may be adapted, postponed or declined on safety grounds, and this therapy does not replace advice from your GP or healthcare professional.
Consultation first. All clients complete a consultation and suitability screening before their first treatment. This is a complementary wellbeing therapy — it supports relaxation, comfort and general wellbeing and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment. Individual responses vary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oncology Massage a medical treatment?
No. It supports comfort, relaxation and wellbeing alongside medical care and is not designed to treat cancer. It does not replace treatment or advice from your GP, consultant or oncology team.
I'm having chemotherapy — is there anything I must tell you?
Yes. You must tell your therapist about all chemotherapy, anti-cancer medication and recent infusions, including the date and time of your most recent treatment. For your safety, oncology massage cannot go ahead within 24 hours of certain chemotherapy medications, and the appointment would be rearranged.
Which areas will be massaged?
Pressure is light to gentle and adapted throughout. Areas affected by surgery, radiotherapy, wounds, fragile skin, ports, PICC lines, stomas or lymph node removal may be avoided or adapted. You can choose a full body massage or a focused back massage.
Do I need clearance from my medical team?
A full consultation and health screening is required. If you are currently undergoing active treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, approval from your oncology team is required before we can begin, and we may ask you to confirm this. Treatment is adapted to your diagnosis and stage of treatment, and may be adapted or postponed depending on your blood counts, infection risk, recent surgery, radiotherapy, skin condition or medical devices.
Should I change my cancer treatment or medication?
Never stop, delay or alter prescribed medication or cancer treatment in order to receive oncology massage.