Massage Therapy works for cancer patients, too

photo by Gloria Eagle

It is always a pleasure to do stories about people who help others and Jeni Quiriconi makes a living being helpful. Jeni is a licensed massage therapist of over ten years.

My wife and I visited Jeni. Her shop is located on 9th Ave in a quiet residential section of Longview; she calls her business “Heartsong Massage.”

Jeni greeted us. She was slim and tall, and seemed to radiate energy.

I asked Jeni how she became a Massage therapist.

“I originally was in the Army Signal Corps,” sparkled Jeni. “I worked with mainframe computers. I was on active duty for 7 years. Thanks to the Army, I earned a BS in Business Administration at the University of Central Texas. At that time I thought I wanted to be a CPA. I even worked a while in Hawaii as an auditor.”

Jeni smiled and looked intently at my wife and I. “Ever since I was a small child, I have always liked touching people…I could not keep my hands off of them. I used to give friends massages, and I seemed to be able to help people feel better. I started to think that it might fun for me to make a healthier, happier life change. I thought it might be the right time for me to consider becoming a massage therapist. I moved from Hawaii to Portland and enrolled in the East West College of the Healing Arts. I graduated in December of 1998.”

I told Jeni that I heard that she worked with cancer patients.

Jeni said: “About 10% of my customers are cancer patients. When I first graduated from school there used to be a prohibition against working with cancer patients.”

I asked Jeni. “This prohibition no longer exits?”

“That’s true,” replied Jeni. “Science has changed how we view cancers. We have found that massage increases circulation. Increased circulation does not cause cancer to spread. If it did, Lance Armstrong would have died a long time ago.”

I nodded in agreement and Jeni continued. “Massage controls pain, controls stress, and replaces noxious stimulation messages that people can get from being treated for cancer. It gives compassionate touch and reduces the sense of isolation that cancer patients often face.”

I asked Jeni if she works with the local hospital.

Jeni replied: “I used to volunteer at “Our House of Portland” where I worked with AIDS patients. I did that almost immediately after I left school. I made a similar offer to our local hospital, but they seemed reluctant. They seemed to think that if they allowed me to volunteer, they would appear to be endorsing me and/or my business.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Could it be that the medical establishment might be afraid of being accused of endorsing ‘Alternative Medicine?’”

Jeni looked directly at me. “Alternative Medicine? We were around first.”

The origins of massage go back to well before 3000 BC. According to Wikipedia:

Writings on massage have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, India, Japan, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia. A biblical reference from C.493 BC documents daily massage with olive oil and myrrh as a part of the beauty regimen of the wives of Xerxes (Esther, 2:9-12). Hippocrates wrote in 460 BC that “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in massage.”

Other writings seem to indicate that both India and China started practicing massage prior to 3000 BC. Tomb paintings in Egypt depict individuals being kneaded by others. Furthermore, Egyptians are credited with creating reflexology as early as 2500 BC.

Jeni shares some patients with an acupuncturist and often receives referrals from medical doctors and chiropractors. Jeni will, at times, refer patients back to doctors. “I know where my skills end, and I know that I can’t help everyone.”

Jeni is presently working with people who suffer from consequences from cancer therapy such as Lymphedema. Lymphedema is what happens when the transport system for lymph is disrupted by radiation treatment.

Jeni has a webpage: “Healthcare that feels good.” http://www.heartsongmassage.biz/

According to her webpage: Jeni has worked with a wide range of clients and patients including infants and people with lupus, cancer, HIV AIDS, Alzheimer’s, and fibromyalgia. Jeni has much experience working with automobile collision injuries and is a Washington State Dept. of Labor and Industries health care provider.

Heartsong Massage is also a preferred provider for Blue Cross, Aetna, the Uniform Medical Plan, American Specialty Health and other insurance companies.

Jeni is licensed and certified by both the states of Oregon and Washington. As part of the certification process, she was required to pass both written and hands on tests. She is also required to complete 15 hours a year continuing education to maintain her certification.

Jeni considers her profession a ‘calling’. She told us: “Massage has given my life a sense of purpose and meaning I never had. I am honored and privileged to be allowed to have such closeness with people. I can’t see anyone not having a massage. We even work on people who are dying, people who have just a few hours left. It is good to help people relax, and give them some comfort. People need a personal touch, a little bit of warmth…Our hands can become marvelous transmitters for loving kindness.”

It is always a pleasure to write about people who help others and Jeni Quiriconi is that sort of person.

If you are interested in reading more about Massage, check out: Society of Oncology Massage: www.S4om.org

Massage therapy foundation: www.massagetherapyfoundtion.org

Searchable database National Society of Medicine: www.pubmed.gov

America Massage Therapy Association: www.amtamassage.org/