A new study found that massage can be a significant tool in reducing pain in patients with advanced cancer. It's proven to be a positive option when caregivers are trying to make a patient as comfortable as possible.

Since David Mejia was diagnosed with a type of cancer called multiple myeloma two years ago, massage has been a regular part of his treatment.

“I continuously have neck and shoulder pain and massage has been one of those things I can count on to take away the physical pain,” said Mejia.

He says the benefits go far beyond the physical.

“It really does help emotionally,” he said.

New research from the National Institutes of Health indicates that massage does benefit patients with advanced cancer. Dr. Jean Kutner of the University of Colorado School of Medicine directed the study.

"Those patients who received massage therapy improved in their pain and mood better than those patients who only got simple touch,” said Kutner.

She says, when patients near the end of life, the medical goals shift from trying to cure disease to making the patient as comfortable as possible. In the trial of 380 terminal cancer patients at 15 hospices in the United States, some got therapeutic massage and others were simply touched. Those who received massage reported better results.

"Probably a combination of direct effect on muscle cells as well as inflammatory markers and endorphins and other things that make us feel better,” said Kutner.

Mejia’s cancer is now in remission. He still has side affects from ongoing treatments and he finds relief on the massage table.

"It almost instantly takes away the pain,” he said.

While the massage therapy appeared to work short-term, researchers found there was no difference between the two study groups in the long term. Experts are still searching for effective, long-term pain management.