Oncology massage training
Providing massage therapy to people receiving or having completed cancer treatment requires awareness of the complex side effects and their impact on soft tissues, as well as the whole person.
Safe practice depends on knowledge. Oncology massage training addresses how to safely and effectively work with this population.
2 out of 5 Canadians will develop cancer. Massage therapists trained in oncology massage are well-placed to be part of integrative oncology teams that support people living with and beyond cancer.
Janet Penny, RMT is co‑author of Oncology Massage: An integrative approach to cancer care (Handspring 2021).
This textbook provides massage therapists with essential information for:
- Treatment planning based on the physiology of cancer and cancer treatments
- Critical, thoughtful treatment decision making
- Consideration of the psychosocial effects of cancer
- Enhancing therapist self-awareness and building a therapeutic relationship.
Oncology Massage: An integrative approach to cancer care provides a foundation of knowledge for all massage therapists new to the topic of working with people with cancer. Cancer occurrence and survivorship guarantee that all massage therapists will work with someone who has been through cancer treatment. The short and long-term effects of biomedical cancer treatment require massage therapy adaptations to pressure, site, position and duration to provide safe and effective treatments.
The information is presented in a clear format with plentiful use of illustrations, information boxes as well as contributions from both clients and experienced professionals.
Working with clients affected by cancer presents challenges to the massage therapist in clinical decision making and maintaining a balanced perspective.
Our clients put their trust in our hands and we often find ourselves alone in how best to offer treatment in complex situations.
Coaching and mentorship can support a therapist as they:
- face challenges in planning and providing treatment
- manage the therapeutic relationship/alliance
- build an oncology massage practice
Janet offers individual and small group coaching/mentorship sessions that focus on your needs and goals.
Sessions can focus on an individual client, typical symptoms that present after cancer treatment or any other clinical experience that is causing you to pause and reflect.
For students and massage therapists new to the topic of working with people with cancer.
This two hour virtual presentation introduces participants on how to safely work with people with cancer and those who have completed cancer treatment.
It covers essential knowledge and critical thinking processes to:
- Adapt massage for side effects of cancer treatment.
- Recognize contraindications.
- Know when to refer to other health care practitioners
Fundamentals of Oncology Massage Level 1 course is designed to remove the fear and misunderstanding of providing massage to individuals living with cancer or who have been through cancer treatments.
After this course, you will have:
- Acquired knowledge of biomedical cancer treatments and the adaptations to pressure, site, duration, and position necessary to offer safe massage.
- Enhanced critical thinking skills necessary to work with a client with cancer
- A checklist of how to recognize lymphedema and when to refer out
- Introductory knowledge of integrative cancer care.
Increasing rates of cancer and survivorship require knowledgeable and skilled health care practitioners who can safely work with people with cancer. Fundamentals of Oncology Massage Level 1 will give you the foundation to confidently support
oncology patients and cancer survivors.
This course is a prerequisite to the 3-day Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation Level 2 course. Once both levels and the exam have been completed, you will be a Seminars for Health Oncology Massage Certified therapist.
Use code janetpennysave10 to save 10% on the cost of all of Seminar for Health's virtual and in-person classes.
Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation
(Level 2)
Register with Seminars for Health.
The Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation course is a 3-day evidence-based course that provides plenty of hands-on training.
Become proficient with the manipulation of soft tissues in patients affected by cancer.
Addressing the fear and misunderstanding of providing soft tissue manipulation to individuals who have had a cancer diagnosis, participants will gain insight into the mechanism behind cancer spread and how, with proper assessment and adaptations, massage therapy can be beneficial to this population.
Become a certified Seminars for Health Oncology Massage therapist by completing Fundamentals of Oncology – Level 1 and Oncology Soft Tissue Manipulation – Level 2.
Use code janetpennysave10 to save 10% on the cost of all of Seminar for Health's virtual and in-person classes.