Japanese touch therapy eases pain in cancer patients

Cancer patients experience easing of side-effects such as pain and nausea after a single session of Jin Shin Jyutsu, an ancient Japanese touch therapy, says a study. The study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center included 159 current cancer patients. It found that in each session patients experienced significant improvement in the areas of pain, stress, and nausea with the first visit and in subsequent visits as well. Before and after each Jin Shin Jyutsu session, Jennifer Bradley, its practitioner at the Markey Center, asked patients to assess their symptoms of pain, stress and nausea on a scale of 0-10, with 0 representing no symptoms. The mean decreases experienced were three points for stress and two points for both pain and nausea, said a university statement. "I was pleased to see quantitatively the improvements that patients noted in these primary areas of discomfort," said Bradley. "It was interesting to note that regardless of age, sex or diagnosis, cancer patients received a statistically significant improvement in the side effects from treatment." Bradley offers Jin Shin Jyutsu to all cancer atients at no charge. Patients may self-refer, though half are referred by their physician or Markey staff. During a Jin Shin Jyutsu session, patients receive light touches on 52 specific energetic points called `Safety Energy Locks` as well as fingers, toes, and midpoints on the upper arm, upper calf and lower leg in predetermined orders known as "flows." Patients remained clothed except for shoes and all hand placements are done over clothing. These findings were presented at the 2012 Markey Cancer Centre Research Day.