Oncology Massage Therapy 4 Day Intensive Course

Teaching Methods

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.

A highlight of the course — our Peer Practice Clinic — offers a chance to practice skills in a supervised clinic setting. The goal is to create hands-on sessions that soothe, heal, and reduce pain and isolation.

This is an intensive course, packed with information. We make it manageable by varying our format, teaching style, classroom setup, and pacing. We are sensitive to students of all backgrounds and levels, and encourage questions and discussion. Massage therapists from varying backgrounds give the course outstanding reviews.

For dates, locations, and tuition, see our training schedule. For CE course approvals, check here.

Before you sign up, we encourage you to read on. Check out the rest of this page and the FAQs below. That way you’ll have a good sense of all that we cover, how we cover it, and how you can be prepared.

Topics

• Benefits of Massage Therapy for People with Cancer
• Cancer, Metastasis, and Massage
• Using a Decision Tree to Describe Massage Contraindications
• The Massage Therapy Pressure Scale
• Massage Adaptations 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
• Surgery and Massage
• Other Cancer Treatments and Massage Therapy
• Modifying Swedish Massage for Lymphedema and Lymphedema Risk
• A Non-Circulatory Massage Protocol
• A Low-Impact Massage Protocol
• Massage Protocol for Thrombosis Risk
• Interview Questions for Oncology Clients
• Language Scripts to use when Communicating with Oncology Clients
• Peer Practice Clinic Sessions
• Roundtable Discussion of Peer Practice Clinic Cases

For dates, locations, and tuition, see our training schedule. For CE course approvals, check here.

Learning Objectives

1. Recognize the basic steps of cancer metastasis, and ease concerns that massage and increased circulation could spread cancer.
2. Communicate clearly 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.
3. Modify massage therapy for typical cancer presentations, including accessible primary tumor sites, bone involvement, and vital organ involvement.
4. Adapt massage therapy to common side effects and cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.

For dates, locations, and tuition, see our training schedule. For CE course approvals, check here.

Oncology Massage Therapy: Caring for Clients with Cancer
32.0 CE hours
NCBTMB approved, recognized by the Society for Oncology Massage

COURSE DESCRIPTION

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 practice 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 massage to cancer and cancer treatment.

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 then modify traditional western massage techniques for common client presentations, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, bone metastasis, vital organ involvement, and lymphedema risk. Unique positioning and bolstering techniques are introduced for pain relief, sleep support, and overall comfort.

We introduce guidelines for a range of client presentations, from robust to medically frail. These guidelines may be used effectively in a variety of massage settings, including the hospital, private practice, spa or retreat center, franchise, and hospice.

A balanced approach to learning blends lecture, spirited discussion, and hands-on work. In-depth homework is assigned prior to the course (instructional videos, 2-3 hrs. total view time) and during the course (about 1 hr. of evening homework on days 1, 2, and 3).

Massage therapists leave with essential oncology massage tools: sample protocols, a client intake form, follow-up intake questions, a visual decision tree, clearly described pressure guidelines, supervised hands-on practice experiences, and an extensive training manual.

For dates, locations, and tuition, see our training schedule. For CE course approvals, check here.

New in 2016: A “Peer Practice Clinic”

In a peer practice clinic (PPC), students pair up and work with each other in two supervised sessions on the final day of the course. Using realistic client case scenarios, each student gives an oncology massage to a fellow student and receives an oncology massage from that student. With teacher support and supervision, students practice interviewing, communicating with a client, and adapting massage therapy to cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment.

In 2016, this simulated clinic format, with students participating in two hands-on sessions, replaced our former “traditional clinic,” which was a single practice session with an actual oncology client volunteer from the community.

Read more about this change in clinic format here https://www.tracywalton.com/4-day-intensive/#new2016

Read more about the course, topics, teachers, and FAQs here: https://www.tracywalton.com/4-day-intensive/.

For our withdrawal and refund policy for the 4-Day Intensive, look on our training schedule page for the course you are interested in.

Then click on “Event Details.” You’ll find the withdrawal and refund policy there. This is the policy in force if you register through us, using a red REGISTER button on the training schedule.

Different policies may be in force when you register through a massage school CE program that is hosting/sponsoring us. In that case, click on the link to their CE website for their withdrawal and refund policy.

Some of our sponsors (the massage schools who host us) may be set up to do this. If you register for a course sponsored by a massage school or other facility, ask the sponsor what the terms are and if they can accept a payment plan.

If you are asking about a course that we hold, one where you register with us directly using one of the red “Register” buttons on our training schedule, then please email us directly with your question.

We do not offer scholarships or discounts through our office.

In a word, no.

Attendance Policy: Registrants are required to attend 100% of the course to receive a Certificate of Completion. Registrants are expected to schedule travel and commuting plans in order to attend 100% of the course.

The usual day is 9-6, but this varies by location depending on classroom space. To find the daily schedule of the course you are interested in, go to the Training Schedule page. Times are listed in each training’s event details. Attendance policy is below.

We have had students with physical concerns such as a back problem, injury, or chronic illness. In general, they tell us they tire after long days, but some feel energized, as well.

The hands-on techniques tend to be gentler and easier than the usual heavier pressures. That said, it’s an intensive course, with long days, and a peer practice clinic at the end. In particular, Day 2 tips the balance toward desk-learning more than table-side learning.

Note our Attendance Policy: Registrants are required to attend 100% of the course to receive a Certificate of Completion. Registrants are expected to schedule travel and commuting plans in order to attend 100% of the course.

You will need to be present and engaged, all 4 days, participating in all hands-on lessons.  Because it’s a long course and a serious commitment — you know when you should or shouldn’t push yourself.

It was a great class, actually the best continuing education class I have attended bar none.” — Mitchell Loss, Albany, NY

You are welcome to make an audio recording of the course for your own personal use.

Video recording is not allowed.

And please do not post/publish recordings online or use them for any other purpose, without written permission from us first.

The best way to answer this question is to look back at your learning experience in massage school. If your language skills were strong enough to succeed then, you are likely to succeed in this course. We teach using visual aids, extensive handouts, and hands-on practice. You will have to take a few notes, but most are written down for you.

Please let us know well in advance, so we can assist you. For some situations, we need weeks or months lead time. Registrants with visual or hearing impairments, or special learning needs are asked to contact Tracy Walton & Associates in advance of the workshop and identify themselves so that the environment serves your learning needs.

Graduation from 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 may register, but check with us first to make sure it is a good fit.

Please click here for 4-day Intensive course approvals.

We are not currently approved for nursing CEUs in any state.

For those wanting additional support in building an oncology massage practice, we have a small-group Advanced Mentorship Course.

It was a privilege and an honor to take this class. I already had been blown away by the 4-Day Intensive last summer, but the mentorship was absolutely extraordinary.” — Marie-Christine Lochot,
Montclair, NJ

We do not teach MTs how to treat lymphedema. Lymphedema care requires many of hours of training in manual lymph drainage (MLD) and theory. MLD is a highly specialized modality that involves bandaging as well as manual techniques. You’ll need to get that training elsewhere. We have a few thoughts to guide you in that search here.

In our 4-Day Intensive, we teach how to adapt conventional relaxation massage techniques in order to work safely with people who have lymphedema, or are at risk of it. We cover this thoroughly because, done incorrectly, Swedish massage techniques can aggravate or trigger lymphedema. So we show how to avoid injury.

While it is not explicitly covered in the 4-Day Intensive, we cover research elsewhere in our webinar series, “Cancer Care and Massage Therapy.”  We feel strongly that if oncology massage therapists offer massage research to promote the work, that we are better off with the strongest studies out there. In this webinar, we review several key studies in oncology massage, look at their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss how to use them in our promotional materials.

Again, yes and no. You’ll take away principles from our course that you can use with many populations, including children with cancer. However, if you have a special interest in pediatrics, we recommend you take one of the fine courses available in pediatric massage, especially for children with special health needs.

Yes and no. We can help you with some of the skills, but not the program development part.

Because hospitals often look for oncology massage therapy skills when they hire, it’s important to have those skills, and this course is one foundation.

If you want specific information about starting or building a MT program in a hospital, or how to work within hospital culture, you will want to take a hospital-based massage training where you can practice hands-on work within a medical center. There are several listed at the s4om website. You will not find these topics in our 4-day course.

If you’d like a lot of hospital-based massage therapy wisdom in one place, we have a popular webinar series in which Tracy Walton interviews 5 hospital-based massage experts, with about 75 years of experience between them. They share survival tips, business models, and plenty of wisdom about the work.

To our knowledge, no one is tracking employment in oncology massage or hospital settings, so we do not have any data to provide you on this front. The closest we’ve seen to meaningful data is an AMTA white paper, “Working in a Health Care Environment.”

Many MTs take courses in oncology massage or hospital-based massage hoping to gain employment. Some arrive at the course with the support of a hospital wanting them to launch a program upon their return.  Others have great luck reaching out to hospitals after taking the course, and are launching programs, volunteering, or even working in hospital settings soon after they take the course. Still others try for years to get employment or develop an MT program at a local hospital, with no success.

Experts in hospital-based massage tell us it’s often really difficult to get things started. In our webinar series on hospital-based massage, they shared valuable insights and information, but also told us about challenges and obstacles along the way.

If you want to work in a hospital, you will need to be persistent, patient, and prepared.

There is no telling what awaits you after taking this course, or any other. However, if you have hospital massage aspirations, oncology massage training is an important part of your preparation. Why?

1. If you take a foundational course, you are ready to get hands-on practice at home, and in whatever setting you work.
2. If you have hands-on experience behind you, you are more likely to be ready when a hospital-based massage opportunity arises.

Most of our curriculum can be applied to the hospital setting, including hands-on massage adaptations, clinical reasoning skills, bolstering techniques, and tools for communicating with medical staff. Some of our students come from hospital settings already, and some start with us, then go on directly to work in hospital settings.

That said, there are many fine hospital-based massage programs, some of them listed at the Society for Oncology Massage. Requirements vary, but you’re more likely to succeed in a hospital-based massage therapy course, after a good foundational oncology massage course.

Great question! We wrote a blog post to answer it.

Our students tell us overwhelmingly that it does, and they turn around and use their training the next day in their private practice, hospital, clinic, franchise, or spa. They tell us they can not only manage the cases we covered in class, but also apply the principles and skills they learned to unfamiliar client cases. We love hearing this, again and again. The information and skills are immediately usable.

This student wrote us 3 days after she completed the course:

I had my first oncology client yesterday and I needed to tell you that it was amazing. And THIS is what I want you to know: I felt absolutely confident that I knew what I was I doing. I KNEW what I was doing!!!! I was thorough in my list of questions and new my adjustments and had my pillows and towels and was ready. The session went beautifully and my client went to sleep which was his goal. I really just want to say thank you :)”  — Virginia Vickers, Scituate, MA

Yes. There are several critical adaptations to massage that are necessary for years, even decades after cancer treatment. Some are lifelong contraindications. We introduce these in the course, and even practice some of the hands-on modifications.

Course participants have gone on to work in hospital settings, home care, spa or retreat settings, outpatient clinics, and hospice facilities. They tell us repeatedly how well this course prepared them for those settings.

There are a few videos for you to view ahead of time. In advance of your course, we’ll send you links to download them for free. These videos are required, and they introduce you to the knowledge base and systems we use in oncology massage. There is an article, as well, to uplift and inspire. We also suggest two textbooks, one by Tracy Walton and one by Gayle MacDonald. The textbook purchases are optional, but we send you information about discounts where applicable.

This is a great question! Please click here for the answer.

We offer two webinar series on massage and cancer, and individual webinars on demand.  These are great ways to try out our work. But nothing replaces a face to face course, with multiple hands-on practice sessions and a supervised practice clinic. Using this formula, our teaching team and sponsors provide a wonderful learning experience that is hugely popular after more than 15 years of fine-tuning.  Our students tell us they learned and grew on all levels.

I’ve been implementing some of the bolstering techniques with my patients with success. I’ve also implemented your pressure level scale in my SBAR notes. (Similar to SOAP notes)  Your training was wonderful, I only wish I had had it sooner!” — Deb Farmer, Eau Claire, WI

Although the price per CE hour is pretty standard, it can add up when you multiply by 32.0 hours!

There is plenty of individual attention, from highly skilled faculty. We have a high faculty to student ratio, and superbly trained faculty. Learn about the instructors here.

You leave with high-quality training materials — over 200 pages of usable, re-usable, in-depth information and resources. We consistently hear from students that our training manual is the best they’ve seen.

In a word, the peer practice clinic, and the preparation behind it. The best learning comes from a supervised practice clinic, with case scenarios for clients  with cancer histories.  A practice clinic is uncommon in CE courses, and some clinics are thrown together in haste. But we put a lot of thought and preparation into ours.

The rewards are great: Our students consistently tell us these things sealed their learning experience. They have the confidence and skills to apply what they’ve learned.

What I learned compared to the price I paid, I got the better end of that deal.”  — Tom Broderick, Palatine, IL

The 4-day oncology massage workshop was one of the finest programs I’ve ever attended! While the initial cost was a bit daunting, it was worth every penny (and then some!)” — Laura L. Anderson, East Hampton, CT

We plan for you to receive individual help throughout, as needed. We are accessible and open. You can catch us on a break or after class for questions.

To Nanci and Cindy:  I couldn’t have asked for better, kinder, more helpful, funnier teachers.  It was such a pleasure to learn from you and to be in the class.  Thank you for everything!”  — Elana Behar, Jackson Heights, NY

Many MTs train with more than one oncology massage instructor, to deepen their experience in this specialty and to hear additional perspectives on the work.  We all have slightly different teaching styles, and different approaches to common concepts. For depth and the variety, we recommend attending more than one oncology massage training.

Yes, expect some overlap if you’ve made the rounds of courses. Yet those who have taken multiple oncology massage courses tell us ours was a joyful review rather than tedious repetition. We welcome you in our class.

Felt I learned a lot not only about working with cancer patients, but info that can be used for other populations.” — Suzzanne Madden, Waterbury, CT

Oncology massage is a rapidly growing field in massage therapy and new courses are being added all the time. Your best resource is the Society for Oncology Massage, which sets clear standards of practice and recognizes instructors that meet them.

Go to the S4OM website for the full list. Investigate available courses, look at different websites, look at each syllabus, and read the FAQs. Look at reviews and testimonials. Ask to speak to previous participants. Question the instructors.

No single course — not ours, not anyone’s — is right for everyone. You’ll figure out which one is a good fit.

Several things make our course unique:

1. It is one day longer than the minimum 3 days required by the Society for Oncology Massage.  Even so, it’s packed. After 15 years of teaching this to thousands of people, we see what’s essential to doing this work well, and we need 4 days to get it all in.
2. We are told that we “teach people to fish,” rather than giving them fish. We teach principles and thinking processes, not just information. We do this for two reasons:
   (1) It cuts down on the information you have to memorize (big hooray there).
   (2) Instead of memorizing a huge range of cancer presentations and massage precautions, you leave our course with the tools you need to manage that range of presentations. This saves you and your clients time and grief, there is less fumbling for information.
3. The system we offer works with other common conditions, too. You’ll have a framework for conditions such as diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, liver and lung disease, and even osteoporosis. You are likely to come away with new material, a fresh perspective, and some useful tools for your general practice.
   “The MOST helpful portion of this course is the HANDBOOK!” — Ellen Bass, Verona, WI
4. Our hands-on instruction includes practical tools, and we focus on the heart and soul of massage therapy. We teach bolstering and positioning techniques that we have found, in practice, to be essential for client comfort and pain relief.  Our peer practice clinic is carefully structured and prepared, down to the last detail.

My experience with the Oncology Training program was truly extraordinary. I’ve hit the ground running and started working on Oncology clients as soon as I returned to NJ. I currently see several Oncology clients per week and my book is building :-). It’s fantastic!” — Heather Disbrow, Browns Mills, NJ

This is a face-to-face course with a peer practice clinic, offered in real time, with hands-on instruction, exercises, and Q&A  in an interactive environment.

In contrast, our pre-recorded webinars are self-paced, there is no interaction with the instructor, and obviously no hands-on instruction or clinic. In our short online courses, we are able to share some important information and concepts about massage and cancer, but we are limited to that. There is no chance to build skills and confidence, and no chance to check hands-on work.

In our experience, most MTs need good face-to-face instruction to work safely and well with people with cancer. We know this because MTs tell us this, and because the many questions that come through our office are requests from MTs to drill the information down to a short list of guidelines.

The principles and practices of oncology massage cannot be summarized in a sound bite, or two or three.

Some MTs are able to teach themselves about this work, using webinars, books, and articles. These successful self-taught MTs start with strong hands-on skills, good body mechanics, and an ongoing time commitment to a depth of education. They tend to have a strong grasp of the sciences, and some experience with medically complex populations. If you go this route, be sure you are teaching yourself with everything you can find on massage and cancer. This includes whole books and chapters of textbooks, researching a growing body of articles on the topic, and good online instruction.

If you want to specialize in oncology massage or make this population a focus in your practice, we strongly recommend face-to-face instruction with us, or with another provider who is recognized by the Society for Oncology Massage.

This is bound to change the direction I go in years ahead.” — Tom Van Horn, Hamden, CT

I feel prepared to approach any situation using your decision tree concept, whether for cancer/history or other medical situations which might require a different approach. Not having to turn someone away from receiving massage, especially someone for whom massage would be a benefit on so many levels, is the most valuable gift you have given us through this course.” — Carol Mathewson, Morristown, NJ

It probably depends on your experience and how much oncology massage literature you have read, but many seasoned MTs have taken this course and benefited from it. They receive reinforcement for the work they are already doing in the world, or go home with a stronger framework for their clinical decision-making with their clients. And almost everyone takes home new information and things to try with their clients.

This will be most helpful in the work I am currently doing at the hospital.  The skills I have learned will help me to further understand the patient’s diagnosis  and to be able to communicate more effective with my superiors as well as the families of the patients.” — Joan McNeil, St. Johns, FL

This is the BEST cont. ed. course I have ever taken.  EVER.  I have thought many times to write and let you know how much my training with you has impacted not only my practice, but me as a practitioner. I use the bolstering techniques with everyone now and many have noticed and commented on the difference.  I have realized how much I love offering therapeutic, compassionate touch for people who are in a very difficult place and just need some time and attention on their healing process.”  — Brandi Miss, Kitty Hawk, NC

If you are unsure about whether the course is the right level for you, send us an email and let’s talk by phone about your background before you sign up.

We cover a lot of ground in 4 days. You will leave with a great foundation for your work. From here, you may go on to take related courses in hospital-based massage, lymphedema care, or even advanced treatment of scar tissue. But the 4-Day Intensive provides plenty for you to take, turn around, and get right to work.

I can’t tell you what it has done for my confidence as a new therapist! So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.” — Jessica Johnson, Austin, TX

The content and delivery are designed to be usable right away with clients. Our students report putting the work into practice the next week, with great success.

Clean, clear, specific and immediately applicable.” — Stephanie Manion, Seattle, WA