Can patients undergoing chemotherapy receive massage?

Generally, if a chemotherapy patient is in the interim period between treatment cycles, gentle massage for relaxation may be appropriate. However, if chemotherapy is currently in progress, or if severe side effects have not yet fully subsided, massage is not recommended. The specific reasoning is as follows:

Under normal circumstances, when a chemotherapy patient is in the rest phase between treatments and experiencing only mild aftereffects, moderate massage can be beneficial. Massage helps relax muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve fatigue, and reduce chemotherapy-related discomfort.

If chemotherapy has caused severe side effects—such as profound fatigue, persistent nausea and vomiting, signs of infection, or low platelet count—any form of massage should be avoided. Additionally, massage should not be performed during intravenous chemotherapy administration, as it may affect blood circulation, interfere with the proper distribution of the drug, and increase the risk of adverse reactions.

In daily life, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, improve dietary habits, adhere to regular sleep patterns, strengthen physical health, and reduce susceptibility to illness.