Massage therapy: 189 treatments at Providence Swedish Issaquah

As part of our commitment to supporting comfort and quality of life during cancer care, the Blake Pottle Foundation funded 189 massage therapy treatments at Providence Swedish in Issaquah. This support helped make massage therapy available to patients as part of their overall care.

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Massage therapy can be very beneficial for cancer patients as a complementary approach, helping to relieve stress, reduce pain, and improve overall well-being. While it is not a treatment for cancer itself, it can provide meaningful comfort.  

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This is a personal decision for each patient, but in Blake’s case, receiving regular massages was an investment in his quality of life and provided him noticeable relief during his care. 

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Key Benefits Impact Include: 

• Gentle massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps lower cortisol levels and promotes relaxation. 

• Treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can lead to chronic pain, muscle stiffness, and neuropathy. 

• Massage can improve blood flow, reduce muscle spasms, and ease tension in areas affected by treatment. 

• Light massage can enhance blood and lymph circulation, which may reduce swelling (lymphedema) in patients who have had lymph nodes removed. 

• In short, massage therapy helps cancer patients by reducing physical discomfort, improving emotional well-being, and enhancing overall quality of life. It’s a gentle but powerful supportive therapy that addresses the whole person, not just the disease. 

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By funding massage therapy at Providence Swedish Issaquah, the Blake Pottle Foundation supported care that centers comfort, dignity, and quality of life during a demanding period of treatment. These 189 treatments represent moments of relief and calm for patients living with cancer, and reflect the Foundation’s commitment to supporting people with care and respect throughout their individual experiences.

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