Oncology Massage Therapist - 300Hrs
Cost: $4,360*

Program Overview: Massage can be given to any patient at any stage of the cancer experience. Oncology Massage training provides guidelines to massage therapists for safe application of their personal massage style to those with active cancer, those in remission or those in treatment. Isabel Adkins is the primary teacher and her approach integrates both western and eastern modalities to address symptoms and side effects of both treatment and disease. 

The Massage Therapy Institute offers a comprehensive 300 hour Oncology Massage Therapist Certification program. Our program is designed to be taken over a period of one & half years to two years in workshop format. Prerequisites to enter this program - Certified or Licensed Massage Therapist (at least 100 hrs of massage training) and Massage for People Living with Cancer^© (24 hrs). This class is always offered at the beginning of our program - twice a year. Required classes are Oncology Massage 1, 2 & 3, Cancer Basics, Oncology Massage Clinic, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Oncology Massage Externship and Project. 50 hrs of pathology must be taken by the time you complete the program. Other credentials are accepted, with instructor’s permission. All classes are offered in Davis CA. 

Prerequisite:

• Certified or Licensed Massage Therapist (minimum training 100 hrs)
• Massage for People Living with Cancer^© (24 hrs)(NCBTMB approved for CEU hours) Comfort-oriented massage or touch can be administered to people with cancer regardless of the severity of their condition, and at any stage in the cancer experience. Topics covered include: understanding metastasis - why is massage not contraindicated; adaptations that must be made for clients who have undergone or are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery; massage protocol for patients at risk for lymphedema; exploration and processing of participants’ personal experience and relationship to cancer; intake procedures; and most importantly, opening the heart to those with serious illness. This class was originated by Gayle MacDonald, OR an equivalent class approved by the Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM). 

Instructor: for this program is Isabel Adkins

• Oncology Massage 1 -Blending East with West ™ (22 hrs) 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. We will learn how to utilize these skills by providing massages to cancer patients under supervision of the instructor as the culminating activity of the class. 

• Oncology Massage 2 - Integrating Complementary Therapies ™ (40 hrs) In this class, we will enhance our protocol for cancer patients, integrating the reflexology and back shu bladder points learned in Oncology 1 with acupressure points along seven of the major meridians: spleen, liver, stomach, kidney, lung, conception vessel, large intestine and pericardium. Students will also learn how to use hot stone therapy and specific oils on these acupressure points taking into account side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and symptoms of the disease. Prerequisite: Oncology Massage 1

• Oncology Massage 3 - Working with Cancer, Understanding Trauma ™ (40 hrs) In this class we will be exploring how the cancer experience may lead to trauma for the central nervous system. We will look at: the physiology biochemistry and symptoms of trauma; situations in which having cancer and treatments may be perceived as “danger” for the body; useful forms of bodywork, including acupressure, to approach symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and appropriate communication to use when interacting with a client in a state of trauma. Prerequisite: Oncology Massage 2.

• Oncology Massage Clinic - Practicum (32 hrs) In this class students will be able to work on cancer patients under supervision, practicing the knowledge and skills acquired in Oncology 1 or 2. Each day will end with a group discussion of cases worked. Prerequisite: Oncology Massage 1.

• Cancer Basics - East and West Meeting ™ (24 hrs) This class is designed to give the oncology massage therapist an in depth understanding of the cancer process, from the malignant cell and how it becomes so, to the effect of the disease process on each individual organ and the body as a whole. This information will be presented as a dialogue between Western and Eastern medicine perspectives. Students will learn to: Identify the body systems affected by cancer in each organ discussed, Define the most likely sites of metastasis from the original tumor site, Identify side effects of standard chemotherapy agents, Correlate the Eastern and Western medicine components of information in developing a massage plan, and Identify oncologic emergencies and know the action to be taken. Prerequisite: Oncology Massage I (Oncology Massage 2 Recommended).

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification (45 hrs) This 6-day MLD certification course is based on the techniques developed by Dr. Emil Vodder, Ph.D. When skillfully applied, this therapeutic form of soft tissue mobilization dramatically enhances lymph formation and promotes drainage within the superficial and deep systems of the lymph vascular network. During this course, students will be instructed in anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. Basic MLD treatment sequences as well as MLD treatment sequences for mild, medically uncomplicated upper and lower extremity lymphedema will be demonstrated and practiced. Each day will be divided into two sections, one theoretical and the second, hands-on application. Topics covered in this class are relevant anatomy and scientific technology to the lymphatic system. Students will learn to: differentiate between the normal and diseased states of the lymphatic system (physiology and pathophysiology of the lymphatic system); understand the indications and contraindications related to the use of MLD; be able to perform the techniques of MLD for all body areas; develop appropriate treatment strategies for indications such as post-surgical edema, posttraumatic edema, fibromyalgia, general detoxification and other conditions; perform MLD on clients after breast surgery for cancer (clients at risk to develop lymphedema); and competently perform MLD on clients with mild, medically uncomplicated primary or secondary lymphedema. Please note: This course will not prepare the participant for the Complete Decongestive Therapy treatment of lymphedema. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training.

• Community Project / Externship and Evaluation (97 hrs) This is an individual module with a combination of: around 70 practice sessions with cancer patients done with one-on-one consultation time as needed with Isabel. A relevant oncology massage community project approved and supervised by Isabel. A final assessment of the student's knowledge and skills.

Required before Graduation:

• Pathology & Physiology (OR any Equivalent Class). (50 hrs) This course is a system-by-system study of disease and how it effects the body as a whole. This is a lecture class educating the student about pathologies that may present, and when and how it is appropriate to massage and when and where is appropriate to refer. There will be an overview of the structure and function of each system and the various pathologies pertaining to each system Recommended (but not required) text is “A Massage Therapist Guide to Pathology” by Ruth Werner or any pathology for massage text. This is available at bookstores and online. Prerequisite: None. 

* if paid in full before your first class, or you may pay class by class, at prices listed (cost for these classes are as follows: Oncology Massage 1 -Blending East with West ™ ($330), Oncology Massage 2 - Integrating Complementary Therapies ™ ($600), Oncology Massage 3 - Working with Cancer, Understanding Trauma ™ ($600), Oncology Massage Clinic - Practicum ($480), Cancer Basics - East and West Meeting ™ ($430), Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification ($950), Community Project / Externship and Evaluation ($860).

**Classes may be taken in any order as long as you are in compliance with any prerequisite requirement. Classes can be credited to one program only.