Massage is one of a range of natural or alternative therapies that are used to treat illness and disease, including prostate cancer. This follows the growing demand for complementary treatments that do not have the health risks associated with some conventional drugs and medication, although these are increasingly used alongside them.
What is the Prostate Gland?
The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra of males, and is responsible for secreting a fluid like mucus that is a component of semen. This is ejaculated at the same time as the sperm, and protects and nourishes it. The prostate gland seems to become a problem for males over forty, when an enlarged prostate is also a common condition.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among men. The main danger with prostate cancer is that it has few or subtle signs in the early stages of its development. This makes diagnosis difficult and typically a blood test, biopsy, rectal examination or ultrasound scan are needed to confirm a diagnosis. If in doubt a doctor may also use a combination of these tests. If the cancer spreads to adjacent organs or tissue more obvious symptoms may become apparent including extreme fatigue, liver failure and pain in the bones. Common early symptoms include the following:
- Blood in the urine
- Trouble urinating
- Constant need to urinate
- Persistent feeling of having a full bladder; and
- Pain when ejaculating
Massage for Prostate Cancer
The primary benefit of massage for cancer patients has been shown to be therapeutic, with improvements in outlook, physical comfort and general quality of life. Studies suggest that massage reduces stress and boosts immune function, so it may help relieve anxiety for men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. It may also help to increase blood flow and general circulation to the prostate and relieve tension in this area.
Find out about other effective natural treatments for prostate cancer.
Originally published on Jul 22, 2010
