Massage THERAPY for Clients with Cancer©

As massage therapists, we will all encounter clients with a history of cancer. Sadly, two myths have influenced the relationship between massage and cancer.
 
Myth #1: Massage is contraindicated. We now know that no connection exists between cancer spread and bodywork.

Myth #2: Any Massage Therapy is OK. The field of Oncology Massage emerges in the space between these two untrue myths. People with cancer can receive comfort-oriented massage or touch, regardless of the severity of their condition and at any stage in the cancer experience. However, therapists must incorporate specific changes into their regular massage to make it possible and SAFE for these clients.

Oncology Massage replaces the "no touch" or the "anything goes" approach with do-no-harm touch: conscious, gentle, safe and educated bodywork.

Receive this training in a 3-day FOUNDATION course

"Massage THERAPY for Clients with Cancer"

Purpose To present information and provide experience that creates confidence in working with clients who have cancer or are recovering from it.

Curriculum

• The importance of touch in cancer care; massage as Complementary Medicine.
• Can massage cause metastasis; basic principles of how cancer arises and spreads
• Is cancer really the "enemy?"; watching our projections and language around cancer
• Addressing therapist's fear, confusion and resistance; coming closer to those who live with cancer - embracing our clients in ALL they carry
• Understanding symptoms caused by chemotherapy, radiation and surgery; safe massage principles for clients during and after treatment.
• Understanding lymphedema risk; basic lymphatic system physiology and anatomy - safe massage protocols for clients who live with lymphedema risk
• Basic Reflexology; addressing chemo neuropathy and supporting the body organs through cancer treatments
• Introduction to medical PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Owning the therapist's role; "assessing" and "addressing" client's needs and conditions through neutral listening, proper intake and development of massage plans
• Massage clinic with clients in cancer treatment or post treatment

Who Should Attend: This course is open to licensed, certified, or professional massage therapists, massage students enrolled in a professional training program who have completed Swedish Massage I or the equivalent, bodyworkers certified in other non-invasive, gentle modalities
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor. Fee $25.00
Duration: 24 hours of credit

This class is a prerequisite to the 300hr ONCOLOGY MASSAGE THERAPIST CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

 

UPCOMING CLASSES

OCTOBER 2016

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR CLIENTS WITH CANCER © (28 hrs) Sat eve Oct 8 (5 pm - 8 pm). Sun & Mon Oct 9,10 (9 am - 6 pm) and Tues Oct 10 (8 am - 6 pm)This class will cover the importance of touch in cancer care; massage as Complementary Medicine. Can massage cause metastasis; basic principles of how cancer arises and spreads. Is cancer really the "enemy?"; watching our projections and language around cancer. Addressing therapist's fear, confusion and resistance; coming closer to those who live with cancer - embracing our clients in ALL they carry. Understanding symptoms caused by chemotherapy, radiation and surgery; safe massage principles for clients during and after treatment. Understanding lymphedema risk; basic lymphatic system physiology and anatomy - safe massage protocols for clients who live with lymphedema risk. Basic Reflexology; addressing chemo neuropathy and supporting the body organs through cancer treatments. Introduction to medical PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Owning the therapist's role; "assessing" and "addressing" client's needs and conditions through neutral listening, proper intake and development of massage plans. Massage clinic with clients in cancer treatment or post treatment. Prerequisite: Massage Therapy Fundamentals or equivalent. Instructor: Isabel Adkins Cost: $432, 3-Wk Pre-pay: $412 (Materials fee $25 to be paid to instructor)

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE I - Blending East with West - Wed, Oct. 12 (11 am - 6 pm), Thurs & Fri, Oct. 13 & 14 (9 am - 6 pm) Class will allow body therapists to enhance their work with cancer patients by integrating Reflexology and Acupressure skills with the Massage for People Living with Cancer protocol in regard to pressure adjustments, sites that need to be avoided and client positioning. While looking at the body from an Eastern Medicine point of view, practitioners will learn: how to support the internal organs during disease, treatment and recovery; how to address symptoms more directly by understanding how the organs "network"; how to mitigate the side effects of treatment and symptoms of disease, such as low blood counts, nausea, fatigue, neuropathy, weakness in the limbs, and GI tract disorders; how to strengthen the immune system; the importance of Ayurvedic oils for cancer cure; the psychological aspects of living with a potentially fatal disease and how that may impact the immune system. Materials fee $16 to be paid to instructor. This class also requires comfortable, focused sitting. We provide floor chairs but if you need something more comfortable, please bring your chair, pillow, etc. Prerequisite: "Massage Therapy for Clients with Cancer" or equivalent S40M approved class. Instructor: Isabel Adkins Cost: $432, 3-Wk Pre-pay: $412 (Materials fee $25 to be paid to instructor).

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE CLINIC I - Sat, Oct. 15 (9 am - 6 pm) This class will review class material and supervised clinic with clients. Prerequisite: MTFCWC and Oncology Massage 1. Instructor: Isabel Adkins Cost: $170 3-Wk Prepay: $165.