Gentle Scar Tissue Mobilization Techniques
For the Post-Mastectomy and Radiation Treatment Client
Instructor: Jamie Elswick, LMT, NCBTMB
See Jamie's class schedule for her trainings.
Many breast cancer survivors experience pain, lymphedema, reduced range of motion, and even frozen shoulder after treatment. This course focuses on the basic understanding of the effects of surgery and radiation on the tissues and how scar tissue mobilization can restore healthy functioning to the fascial/musculo-skeletal system. Additional techniques will include the modality of Corrective Massage™ to address both the treated area and compensatory areas of soft tissue. Understanding the function of the lymphatic system is equally important, so there will be a thorough discussion of the lymphatic anatomy and instruction of basic drainage techniques for the torso will be taught. All techniques are of a gentle nature to be respectful of the potential traumas held within the treated tissues, the compromised nature of the lymphatic system and the residual effects of radiation therapy as well as surgery. This course will include lecture, hands on, and supervised sessions with clients.
Learning Outcomes for this 27 hour course include:
- Understanding the effects of mastectomy surgery
- Understanding the effects of radiation therapy both acute and long term
- Discussing potential emotional trauma held in tissues
- Examining both the benefits as well as contraindications for scar tissue mobilization
- Learning about physiology and pathology of scar tissue from surgery and radiation
- Discussing the anatomy and function of the lymphatic system
- Applying basic lymphatic drainage techniques to the torso
- Appropriately applying scar tissue mobilization to treated areas
- Applying corrective massage techniques to treated and compensatory areas soft tissue areas
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Jamie Elswick, LMT, NCBTMB
Jamie Elswick has been a massage therapist since 1992 and a massage educator since 1994. She holds a 300 hour certification in oncology massage through the Peregrine Institute with specific trainings from pioneers in the field Gayle MacDonald MS LMT and Dr. Sandy Canzone DOM. She is a nationally certified instructor of Massage for People Living with Cancer through Gayle MacDonald. She is the Program Coordinator for Professional Development in Massage Therapy through the University of Alaska, Anchorage. A portion of this program includes Jamie’s course, Massage for the Oncology Patient and Medically Complex Client which is a 15-week course and the prerequisite to participate in the volunteer oncology massage program operating through Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC). A program she started in 2003 and currently manages. She is a contributing writer to the 2nd edition of Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People with Cancer on the topic of scar mobilization for the post mastectomy/radiation client. She has been practicing scar tissue and lymphatic work with oncology clients for over 10 years.
Jamie teaches nationally including presentations on working with scar tissue at the Oncology Massage Summit in both 2007 and 2010.
Other certifications include completion of 7 years of training in the Lauren Berry Method of Corrective Massage in 2000. She holds both practitioner and instructor level certificates in this modality. She has extensive background in teaching anatomy and physiology for massage therapists as well as gross anatomy instruction through the University for medical students enrolled in their first year program. Jamie is actively involved with the oncology community in Alaska, organizing and participating in several volunteer events each year providing massage therapy. Her private practice operates at the Integrative Medicine Clinic in PAMC. She is the past president of AMTA Alaska Chapter, a member of The American Association of Clinical Anatomists, American Association of Anatomists and the Society for Oncology Massage.