- Oncology Massage: There is a need to "Design a Massage Therapy Plan that is supportive rather than challenging."
- Massage is Beneficial for most people who are currently in cancer treatment, and for those with cancer histories.
- Skilled Massage, provided by a well-educated, specifically-trained LMT will NOT spread cancer.
Jamie Spears Montelongo, LMT, MTI
TOUCHSTONE MASSAGE THERAPY
Special Oncology Massage Training: 130 CE Hours
Oncology Massage Experience: (2000 – Current)
Massage for the Cancer Patient – An Integrative Approach,
MD Anderson Cancer Center / Integrative Medicine Program/ Houston, TX / June, 2005
22.0 CE Hours
- Cancer and Medical Terminology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Understanding Psycho Social Issues of the Journey with Cancer
- The Why and How of Massage for Those Touched by Cancer
- Medical Treatments and Side Effects
- Assessment and Massage Treatment Plan
- Charting and Documentation
- Palliative Care including End of Life
Caring for Clients with Cancer: Simple Steps to Safe, Effective Massage Therapy
Tracy Walton, Instructor /Boston, MA / July 18, 19, 20, 2008
24.0 CE Hours
- Debunking the Concern about Massage Spreading Cancer
- Communicating with Medical Staff and Clients about Contraindications
- Securing Physician's Input on Contraindications
- Permission and Information Forms
- The Decision Tree—Clarifying Contraindications
- Hands-on Adjustments for Cancer, Vital Organ Involvement and Bone Involvement
- Surgery
- Benefits of Massage for People before and after Surgery
- Hands-on Adjustments after Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Benefits of Massage for People during Chemotherapy
- Hands-on Adjustments during Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Benefits of Massage for People during Radiation Therapy
- Hands-on Adjustments for Radiation Therapy
- Interviewing a Client with a Cancer History
- Summarizing Research on Massage and Cancer
- Inner Preparation for Working with Clients with Cancer
- Hands-on Approaches for Medically Frail Clients
- Supervised Practice Clinic with Clients
- Case Reports
Caring for Clients with Cancer: Advanced
Tracy Walton, Instructor /Boston, MA / July 21, 2008
8.0 CE Hours
Clients are going through new treatments, more complex treatment combinations, and long-term management of cancer as chronic disease. Modules addressed the listed topics in more depth:
- Module 1, Cases and Practical Issues
- Module 2, Adaptations to the Hospital Setting
- Module 3, Research Update
- Module 4, Building a Practice in Oncology Massage
An Integrative Approach to Oncology Massage,
MD Anderson Cancer Center / Integrative Medicine Program/ Houston, TX / June, 2010
24.0 CE Hours / Current and Revised Content:
- The Why and How of Massage for Those Touched by Cancer
- Recent massage Therapy Research
- Dermatology Issues in Cancer Patients
- Understanding Lymphedema for Massage Therapists
- A novel New Method for Imaging the Lymphatic System
- Massage Therapy Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy
- Communicating with Medical Staff
- Palliative Care including End of Life
Tracy Walton / Ben Benjamin / Webinar
6.0 CE Hours, Completed April 2011
- Myths of Metastasis,
- Massage Research Evaluation
- Unique features of Oncology Massage
- Unstable Tissues and Hidden Contraindications
- Vital Organ Principle
- Detoxification and Massage
Klose Training / Jodi Winicour, PT, CMT, CLT-LANA
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
16.0 CE Hours, Completed October 2013
Massage Therapy for People with Cancer / Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT
24 CE Hours, Completed January, 2015
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD-Vodder Technique) Certification Course
Klose Training / Nicola McGill, LLSA, MIFA, LMT, CLT
45 CE Hours, Completed May, 2015
Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ's
Contraindications for Massage:
What is it about cancer that contraindicates or calls for modification of massage therapy?
- bone involvement
- cancer pain
- vital organ involvement
- deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- tumor site or sites
What is it about massage that is contraindicated or needs to be modified?
Medical restrictions translate to massage, such as activity restrictions.
Contraindications to Massage Therapy can be organized into the following three groups:
- Contraindications due to the primary tumor site.
- Contraindications due to the progression of the cancer. As cancer develops complications can arise. Consideration must be given as to how tissues and organs are affected.
- Contraindications that arise due to cancer treatment. Effects of cancer treatments, side effects, etc.
How does a skilled LMT Modify Massage Therapy for the Individual Client?
By taking into consideration:
Are there Active tumor sites, primary and secondary metastatic sites? What locations?
Does the cancer exert stress on tissues or organs?
If the body is weakened or fatigued, or an organ function is compromised, massage therapy techniques should be supportive rather than challenging to the client.
Work conservatively, gentler pressures, less demanding protocols, softer joint movements, shorter sessions, avoid certain areas of the body, and schedule around good and bad times for the client.
Pressure (1, 2,3,4,5 scale of pressure)
Positioning of client (comfort, nausea, anxiety)
Joint Movement
Length of session
Five Areas: Clients often report relief from Pain / Anxiety / Fatigue / Depression / Nausea
Research concerning the benefits of massage therapy for people with cancer and cancer histories is in the early stages. Massage is being recognized as having great benefits.
