New for 2011! A 4-Day Intensive
Course
Oncology Massage Therapy: Caring for Clients with
Cancer
32.0 CE Hours
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Schedule and Registration Info > >
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In response to popular demand, we have expanded our course for 2011. Students in our 3-day Intensive
courses consistently ask for more time. The 4-day course offers additional hands-on practice, more time for case
discussions, new bolstering and positioning for symptom relief, and more information on lymphedema, thrombosis, hormone
therapy, and targeted therapies.
As the role of massage therapy in cancer care expands, it is an exciting time to
provide oncology massage. In this intensive course, we combine the art and science of touch to create
safe, effective massage sessions for clients with cancer and cancer histories. In a lively, supportive
learning environment, participants learn simple, concrete ways to adapt traditional massage to cancer
and cancer treatment. We practice interviewing, follow-up questions, massage planning, and adapting
traditional western massage techniques to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, bone metastasis, vital organ
involvement, and lymphedema risk.
We look closely at the dynamics of cancer spread, shining new light on the old myth that
massage was contraindicated, and we introduce several approaches for educating the public about this
common concern. We summarize the best research in oncology massage, and identify responsible claims
about massage and symptom relief. Unique positioning and bolstering techniques are introduced for pain
relief, sleep support, and overall comfort. We use guiding principles and practices that can be
implemented across a broad spectrum of client presentations (from robust to medically frail), in a
variety of massage settings (hospital, private practice, spa or retreat center, franchise or group
practice, hospice).
A balanced approach to learning blends lecture, spirited discussion, and hands-on work with client
volunteers. Music, art, and literature help to deepen our understanding of the journey. Massage
therapists leave with essential oncology massage tools: sample protocols, a client intake form, follow-up questions, visual decision tree, massage contraindications, a physician communication form,
interviewing experience, supervised hands-on practice, and an extensive training manual. Because we are
recognized by the Society for Oncology Massage, participants who complete the training are eligible to
apply for membership.
Learning Objectives
- List physical and psychological
benefits of massage therapy for people with cancer, and identify which are
supported by research.
- Recognize the basic steps of cancer metastasis, and help to dispel concerns
that massage and increased circulation could spread cancer.
- Communicate clearly with consumers and other health care professionals about
common massage therapy adjustments for cancer, using a Decision Tree and describing massage elements
such as pressure, joint movement, site, and position in plain language.
- Adapt massage therapy to typical cancer presentations, including accessible
primary tumor sites, bone involvement, and vital organ involvement.
- Adapt massage therapy to common cancer treatments, including chemotherapy,
surgery, and radiation therapy.
Topics
- Benefits of Massage Therapy for People with Cancer
- Research on Massage and Cancer (Making Responsible Claims)
- Cancer, Metastasis, and Massage
- Using a Decision Tree to Describe Massage Contraindications
- The Massage Therapy Pressure Scale
- Communicating with a Client's Physician
- Massage Adjustments for Active Cancer
- Adapting to Client Presentations: from Frail to Robust
- Positioning and Bolstering for Comfort and Symptom Relief
- Chemotherapy and Massage
- Radiation Therapy and Massage
- Massage, Surgery, and Thrombosis
- Lymphedema and Lymphedema Risk
- The Non-Circulatory Massage Protocol
- The Low-Impact Massage Protocol
- Massage Protocol for Thrombosis Risk
- Massage Protocol for Lymphedema Risk
- Other Cancer Treatments (Hormone Therapy, Targeted Therapy, Stem Cell/Bone Marrow Transplant)
- Common Clinical Presentations
- Hands-On Clinic with Client Volunteers (with Cancer and Cancer Histories)
- Roundtable Discussion of Clinic Cases
Teaching Methods
A balanced approach to learning includes lecture, hands-on
sessions, lively discussion, use of research literature
and a straightforward format that doesn't require constant
note-taking.
It includes a comprehensive course manual with
many resources for continued learning. A highlight of
the course—hands-on
work with volunteer clients on the last day—offers
a chance to practice skills in a supervised clinic setting.
The goal is to fashion hands-on sessions that soothe,
heal, and reduce pain and isolation.
Hands-on practice is artfully mixed with discussion and lecture.
Varying approaches to the work--meditative, cognitive, kinesthetic,
visual, emotional, auditory, intuitive--are honored throughout
the course. A safe learning setting allows therapists to build
lasting knowledge and skills. The 75-page course manual, client
intake forms and materials for the physician assist massage
therapists in their practice, long after the course is over.
This is an intensive course, packed with information. Tracy
makes it manageable by varying her format, teaching style,
classroom setup, and pacing. Tracy is sensitive to students
of all backgrounds and levels, and encourages questions and
discussion. Massage therapists from varying backgrounds give
the course outstanding reviews.
What's the difference between the 3-day and the 4-day course?
Prerequisites
Graduates of at least a 500-hour professional massage therapy program or equivalent.
Advanced students who have completed pathology coursework and some clinical experience, by approval of
the instructor. Other health professionals with instructor approval.
Preparation/Required Reading
Participants will be sent a required reading list of articles to be accessed online and read before
the course.
The following text is strongly recommended but not required:
Walton, Tracy. Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy: A Decision Tree Approach. Philadelphia,
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011.
Course Approvals
Tracy Walton is approved by the National Certification
Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as
an approved provider, #283404-00.
Tracy Walton is approved by the Florida Board of Massage
Therapy, provider # 50-13512.
Selected training is recognized by
the Society for Oncology Massage.
Upcoming Scheduled Conference
Presentations
April 30 - May 1, 2010 Minneapolis, MN
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Oncology Massage Healing Summit
"Touch, Caring and Cancer: a Multimedia Training for
Caregivers"
Info and registration: TBA
September 26-27, 2010, Minneapolis, MN
American Massage Therapy Association National Convention
Post-Convention Workshop, Sponsored by the Massage Therapy Foundation
"Cancer
and Massage Therapy: Safe Practice Steps for Massage Therapists"
Info and registration: TBA
October 24, 2010, North Haven, CT
Connecticut Chapter - American Massage Therapy Association Meeting 2-6PM
"Massage During Chemotherapy"
Info and registration: TBA
November 7, 2010, Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Chapter - American Massage Therapy Association
"Cancer
and Massage Therapy: Safe Practice Steps for Massage Therapists"
Info and registration: TBA