Sarah Trangmar is a qualified and experienced Oncology massage therapist and Complex Lymphatic therapist
( Casley-Smith method). She has been working with cancer patients for twelve years.
Research has shown that Oncology massage improves the quality of life for people with a history /diagnosis of cancer.
It can be helpful to reduce side effects of treatment and some of the symptoms of the disease process itself.
( Cassileth and Vickers 2004). Significant reductions in pain, anxiety, nausea, fatigue and depression have been reported.
Oncology massage therapists are trained to provide effective and SAFE massage which can be adapted to the medical, mental and physical needs of each individual.
Sarah offers Oncology Massage sessions which will be adapted to your specific needs.
Some of the aspects which may be helped by oncology massage are
Peripheral neuropathy
Muscle tension and pain
Anxiety
Headaches
Swelling
Nausea
Constipation
Cording.
Complex lymphatic therapy combines manual lymphatic drainage massage with other options to best help manage lymphoedema.
Lymphoedema is swelling that results from an impaired lymphatic system which can occur after trauma, and lymph node removal during surgery for cancer.
Services which Sarah offers for lymphoedema management:
Manual lymphatic drain- a gentle, rhythmic, flowing, massage which helps the lymphatic system to work as effectively as possible whilst directing fluid away from impaired areas towards areas of effective lymphatic function.
Cold infra red laser – Clinical studies have shown that cold infra red laser therapy is beneficial to helping manage lymphoedema.
Lymphatic taping – use of kinesiotape to help improve lymphatic flow.
Measurements – taking and keeping a record of measurements. This is useful to monitor the success of treatment.
Exercise and life style education- self help techniques to help manage your lymphoedema .
Compression garments and bandaging.
Pre / post operative treatment
Sarah will also offer a preoperative session for anyone about to undergo surgery ( particually mastectomy).
This includes taking base line measurements and a MLD massage. Included in the session is some education on lymphoedema do’s and don’ts and what signs to look out for.
Post operative session includes MLD, measurements, further education and scar management if required.
Scar Tissue management
Every scar has a story.
Working on scar tissue is always unique and individual, no two scars every respond the same, it is important to realize that you are working on a whole person with a scar.
That scar represents a significant event in that person’s life and may have a large emotional component involved in its healing.
A scar is a reminder of our body’s miraculous ability to mend – however, the mending can be chaotic and haphazard resulting in discomfort, pain, restriction and self consciousness. A scar that on the surface has healed well and can barely be noticed can be chaotic beneath the surface creating lines of adhesion and fascial tension. The trauma associated with the event that resulted in the scar can have a long-term effect on the way the scar is perceived by the person, including the degree of pain and discomfort even after the original wound has “healed’. There is much that can be achieved with manual touch therapy in alleviating the tension, adhesion, and structural pain lines that can be present with scarring. Of equal importance is the acknowledgment of the pain and trauma that may be associated, sometimes it may be worth working along side other strategies to help with the emotional pain eg hypnotherapy, art therapy, counseling, kinesiology.
The other aspect which I believe to be of utmost importance when working with scarring is not to rush or push too hard. The scar itself needs to dictate the pace, constant feedback from the person whilst working with the scar is paramount – this has to be teamwork. Some pain in its release is inevitable, however needs to be very carefully monitored so as not to create more tension both physically and emotionally. This will take time and patience from both practitioner and recipient!
