A debate was recently revived around the possibility of massage therapy spreading cancer. I encourage all oncology massage therapists, massage therapy instructors, and interested parties to catch up on that conversation. Links are at the bottom of this post. The conversation recently took a disagreeable turn when my judgment and professional ethics were challenged. It’s […]
On Not “Charging What You’re Worth” in Oncology Massage Therapy
Recently, in a group of oncology massage therapists, I started a discussion about setting fees for massage therapy. In this particular group, we were all in private practice. They were all participants in my oncology massage therapy mentorship program, and we were talking about money and pricing. It is a charged topic, this question of […]
Cold Caps, Frozen Feet, and Massage during Chemotherapy
Two clients come in with interesting stories. The first tells you she received chemotherapy two days ago while wearing an odd-looking cap with a chin strap. It was a special “cold cap” cooled her scalp during the chemotherapy infusion. It made for a chilly session, so the infusion staff took pains to keep the rest […]
Save the Date!
The Oncology Massage Healing Summit is Scheduled for April 27-29, 2018 in Bloomington, MN at the Northwestern Health Sciences University. The conference schedule will be posted soon, and registration opens this September. Don’t miss this unique gathering of oncology massage therapy professionals and speakers. The conference is so popular with attendees that the Society for […]
Growing Up, Getting Real
I stand at the side of the bed, looking down long lines of stuffed animals. They form a plush parabola around my sleeping child. For years, they have held all-night, wide-eyed vigils on this bed. By morning they will have been flung at each other in crazy angles. But now, at 11 PM, they are […]
Ethics in Oncology Massage and Hospice Care
My client complained about her doctor, the nurses, and the general care she was receiving during cancer treatment. She went on for some time. Now and then, she took a breath, then looked at me as though to ask “Do you agree?” I held her gaze. It seemed like a challenge to choose sides. Agree, […]
On Not Healing Other People
I spent the night in an awful dive of a motel. I had cleared my client schedule and headed out of town, eager to attend the workshop. It was worth the sacrifice. About 20 MTs were gathered in a massage school flanked by woods. It was the early 1990’s, and it might have been the […]
7 Reasons Not to “Give Your Client Whatever They Want” at End of Life
“How was your massage last week?” “It was fine, good, actually. But honestly I would have liked it much harder. Can you go deeper today?” My client was speaking to me from her bed. She had advanced pancreatic cancer. Her pain was deep and constant. She wanted relief, and she wanted heavy massage. I’ve had […]
Notes from the Oncology Massage Healing Summit, 2016
Our teaching staff returned from the 4th Oncology Massage Healing Summit in high spirits last month. Nanci, Erika, Cindy, Joan, Megan, Julie, Michelle, and Kim raved about their 4 days in Minneapolis, where they felt a strong sense of community among oncology massage therapists and a renewed respect for OMT teaching and clinical work. Kim […]
Quality of Care in a Thriving Oncology Massage Practice – Meet Our Teacher Erika Slocum
Massage therapists often ask for survival tips for growing a practice in oncology massage therapy. Here, we offer the first of occasional “Featured Teacher” posts about successful OMT practitioners among our instructors and colleagues. Erika Slocum has been teaching oncology massage therapy with us since 2011. She co-owns an expanding practice, BlueFern Massage Therapy, with […]