Massage, which uses sesame seed oil, can reduce pain, phlebitis risk and embolism risk in patients having chemotherapy via infusions (IV chemotherapy).
In research from scientists in Iran (1), 60 patients all received massage to the area the chemo drip was inserted, but only half used it with sesame seed oil. After massage twice a day for 7 days, the pain reduction was significantly greater in the group using sesame seed oil.
This is not the first study. The same group conducted research in 2012 showing across a 14 day period, an 80% reduction in phlebitis risk from drug infusions, where sesame seed oil was applied.
Chris Woollams former Oxford University Biochemist commented, "Chemotherapy infusion-induced phlebitis and its associated pain occurs in up to 70% of cancer patients having chemotherapy. If this leads to blood clots and embolisms, it can be life-threatening. The problem is two-fold: both the IV needle and the harsh chemotherapy drugs. There can be tissue damage and serious inflammation. Patients often complain of pain throughout the whole limb. There is surprisingly little on the Internet about how patients might combat this problem. Hospitals often simply rely on massage. Some Websites recommend warm water compresses.
We would be happy to hear of therapies for this problem, that have helped readers."
References
- Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 May;35:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.01.016. Epub 2019 Feb 2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31003690
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3813153/
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