Oncology Massage Matters
~ CLASSES ~
Massage THERAPY for Clients with Cancer
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Oncology Massage 1
Blending East with West™
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Oncology Massage 2
Integrating Complementary Therapies
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Oncology Massage 3
Working with Cancer, Understanding Trauma
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Cancer Basics
Connie Kishbaugh, R.N., Instructor
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Oncology Massage Practicum & Clinic Classes
1,2,3,4
~ Other Recommended Related Classes ~
• Gentle Scar Tissue Mobilization Techniques
For the Post-Mastectomy and Radiation Treatment Client
Jamie Elswick, LMT, NCBTMB
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage Certification Program
René Janiece, LMT, NCTMB, CLT
• Massage in the Oncology Setting:
A 5-day Hospital Intensive
Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT
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
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The importance of touch in cancer care; massage as Complementary Medicine.
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Can massage cause metastasis; basic principles of how cancer arises and spreads
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Is cancer really the "enemy?"; watching our projections and language around cancer
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Addressing therapist's fear, confusion and resistance; coming closer to those who live with cancer - embracing our clients in ALL they carry
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Understanding lymphedema risk; basic lymphatic system physiology and anatomy - safe massage protocols for clients who live with lymphedema risk
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Basic Reflexology; addressing chemo neuropathy and supporting the body organs through cancer treatments
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Introduction to medical PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
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Owning the therapist's role; "assessing" and "addressing� client's needs and conditions through neutral listening, proper intake and development of massage plans
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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
Duration: 24 hours of credit
This class is a prerequisite to the 300 hour Oncology Massage Certification Program.
ONCOLOGY MASSAGE 1
Blending East with West™
Purpose
This class will allow body therapists to enhance their work with cancer patients by integrating reflexology and acupressure skills with protocols in regard to pressure adjustments, sites that need to be avoided and client positioning.
Curriculum
While looking at the body from an Eastern medicine point of view, practitioners will learn:
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How to support the internal organs during disease, treatment and recovery
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How to address symptoms more directly by understanding how the organs “network”
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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
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How to strengthen the immune system
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The importance of Ayurvedic oils for cancer care
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The psychological aspects of living with a potentially fatal disease and how that may impact the immune system
Prerequisite
Massage THERAPY for Clients with Cancer or any Society for Oncology Massage (s4om.org) recognized foundation course.
Who Should Attend
This class is to assist therapists working with clients who are receiving or have completed cancer treatment. The knowledge gained will also be useful and applicable for any therapist with clients presenting similar physical symptoms.
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor
Duration: 3 days, 22 instructional hours
ONCOLOGY MASSAGE 2
Integrating Complementary Therapies
Purpose
To expand on the 'Nature and Spirit of the Organs' and further our knowledge in acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine as it applies to cancer care.
Curriculum
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Explore the psychological aspects of the organs: their personalities in terms of likes, dislikes and emotions
- Establish a direct relationship between what each organ influences physically to the human behavior it also regulates
- Enhancement of massage protocol: specific acupressure points to address different signs & symptoms of disease and treatments
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Practice with volunteer clients living with cancer.
Prerequisite
Oncology Massage 1
Who Should Attend
Students interested in deepening their knowledge as how to address signs and symptoms through acupressure.
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor
Duration: 5 days 40 hours
ONCOLOGY MASSAGE 3
Working with Cancer, Understanding Trauma
Purpose
In this class we will be exploring how the cancer experience may lead to trauma for the central nervous system.
Curriculum
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The physiology, biochemistry and symptoms of trauma
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Situations in which having cancer and treatments may be perceived as "danger" for the body
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Useful forms of bodywork, including acupressure, to approach symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Appropriate communication to use when interacting with a client in a state of trauma.
Prerequisite
Enrollment in the certification program or significant experience in oncology massage with consent of the instructor.
Oncology Massage 1,
Oncology Massage 2, Oncology Massage Clinic and
30-40 supervised Internship massage sessions - number to be determined between student and instructor.)
Who Should Attend
Students registered in the certification program and/or Onc 1 and 2 students developing a practice with cancer patients.
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor
Duration:
5 days 40 hours at the Massage Therapy Institute
CANCER BASICS
Instructor
Connie Kishbaugh, R.N.
Connie has been an oncology nurse for more than 30 years. During that time she has cared for patients all along the disease spectrum. She has extensive experience in chemotherapy side effect management, pain and symptom management, and educational and emotional counseling with the cancer patient, and has been involved in many studies focusing not only on new and innovational cancer treatments, but also on new ways of providing emotional support to the patient and family members receiving research treatment.
Connie has long had an interest in the mind-body-spirit connection, and an understanding of the powerful force this can be for the cancer patient.
Purpose
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.
Curriculum
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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
- Identify oncologic emergencies and know the action to be taken.
Prerequisite
Oncology Massage 1 (Oncology Massage 2 recommended)
Who Should Attend
Body therapists developing a practice with cancer patients.
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructors
Duration:
3 days, 24 hours
Completion of Cancer Basics is required for the Certification Program
ONCOLOGY MASSAGE PRACTICUM & CLINIC
( 4 classes, 8 hrs each)
Purpose
In these clinics, we will be gaining hands-on experience. Each day has specific material to be reviewed and practiced in a supervised clinic with cancer clients.
OM Clinic 1
Curriculum
Review of appropriate pressures and lymphedema risk massage protocol, and Oncology Massage 1 material.
This clinic will be offered every Spring and Fall right after Oncology Massage 1.
Prerequisite
Massage THERAPY for Clients with Cancer (or other S4OM recognized foundation class) and Oncology Massage 1
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor
Duration:
8 hours
OM Clinic 2
Curriculum
Fine tuning acupressure skills and integration of reflexology, acupressure and massage
This clinic will be offered every Spring immediately following OM Clinic 1.
Prerequisite
OM Clinic 1, Oncology Massage 2 and 30-40 supervised** practice sessions.
Materials: class materials to be provided by instructor
Duration: 8 hours
OM Clinics 3 & 4
Description and prerequisites to be announced
**All supervised sessions are done in your own community and reviewed through email and phone.