Oncology Massage: Fact vs. Myth
10 Hour CE Course 
Description
Based on a textbook by Gayle MacDonald, MS, LMT, this detailed and informative course presents solid conceptual guidelines about safe, beneficial touch for people who have cancer. It includes the research, science, and cautions of using touch to support people of all ages who have cancer, including ways massage can strengthen the body before and after cancer treatment. The textbook provides a valuable, comprehensive resource that will interest massage therapists, clients and caregivers. This course does not teach hands-on skills. Please seek additional experience, with a mentor, to add hands-on skills.
Back to top Enroll NowEnrollment Options
Enroll Risk-Free! Examine our courses for up to 90 days and if you're not 100% satisfied by the quality or our service, your full tuition cost will be cheerfully refunded. Learn more about our guarantee.
| Choose an enrollment type: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials and Test Shipped to You | Contents: Text and workbook with multiple-choice test shipped to you. | $120 | |
| OR | |||
| Text Materials Shipped and Test Online | Contents: Text shipped to you. Online multiple-choice test. | $120 | |
Content Outline
| A New Era in Oncology Massage, Understanding Metastasis-Putting "Old Wives' Tales" to Rest | 0.5 hours |
Touch: Rx for Body, Mind and Heart-A Review of the Research
|
1 hour |
The Need for a Less Demanding Approach
|
1.5 hours |
First Do No Harm
|
2 hours |
| Strengthening the Body through Massage | 0.5 hours |
Massage for Children Living With Cancer
|
1.5 hours |
| Working with Family Members; End-of-Life Issues; Final Thoughts, and References | 0.5 hours |
| Comforting Touch for the Dying | 0.5 hours |
| Massage as Respite: Caring for the Caregivers Gathering Information-An Essential Part of Safe Practice Companions on the Journey-Who Gives? Who Receives? |
1 hour |
| Open-book Test and Course Evaluation | 1 hour |
Testimonials
Your course exceeded my expectations - the material (book) was well written, thorough, full of helpful information and anecdotes, up-to-date and encouraging.Elsic A. Lintz CMT York, PA
Good detailed course. I learned a lot and thought the study guide was very well in order with the book.Cara Skradski
The material wa very well written, especially the quotos on the sides of the pages.Kim Leher - RN CMT, State of PA.
"I found this course to be extremely helpful and timely as I am serving more and more clients at varying stages of cancer treatment in my practice. It's nice to know I can add something positive and helpful to their lives."Maryjane Michaud, MA, LMT, Worcester, MA
I thought the text book was magnificent and full of insightful & interesting stories, examples, and ideas. Everything has been great! I really enjoyed this course and feel like I have learned so much about myself and how/where I want my practice to go forward. Thank you!Michelle Todd LMT, NCBTMB Northwood, NH
My Mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and doing well. This course was extremely helpful to our entire family.Roberta Icenbice, CMT
I learned a lot from this course. Very informative.Ronette Moore, NCMT, Amboy, IL
EXCELLENT study course, very in depth, very concise.Sharon Tabor-Cheek, LMT
"This was one of the best courses I've ever taken. I have been licensed 8 years and have always avoided cancer because of what I was taught in massage school. I certainly feel enlightened! The explanation of the way that cancer spreads was well written and done so in a way that was understandable yet concise enough to cover all the information described in your course content."Theresa Kelley, Albuquerque, NM
I highly recommend this course for a really good and informing home study. I have been a LMT for 13 years and I leaned a lot of helpful things.Vicky L. Rivait, LMP Shelbyville, TN
I highly recommend this course it is a really good and informing home study. I have been a LMT for 13 years and I leaned a lot of helpful things.Vicky L. Rivait, LMP Shelbyville, TN
Outstanding material for massage therapists who work with cancer patients.William Laquale, LMT, NCTMB, SeeKink Massage Therepy, Seekink MA
Learning Objectives
- Identify the current paradigm shift in massaging persons who have cancer.
- Recognize at least four key factors regarding massage and metastasis.
- List the four specific variables in research related to massage for people who have cancer.
- Identify at least three potential benefits of bodywork for cancer patients.
- Recognize the common short-term and long-term side effects of conventional cancer treatments.
- List the essential elements involved in gloving.
- Describe the adjustments necessary to make a bodywork session less demanding for the client.
- Identify how bodywork can strengthen the vital organs, immune function and psychological response for clients who have cancer.
- Describe how massage can give comfort in the final stages of life.
- List at least three of the recommendations for giving bodywork to caregivers in the home.
Sample Text
"Detoxification
The three organs that are most affected by the toxic by-products of cancer treatment are Liver, Kidney, and Spleen (due to its relationship to the lymphatic system - the body's sewer system.) It will also be these three organs that are the focus of detoxification, as well as any other organ that seems to have suffered the most during treatment. For instance, some patients were most distressed by constipation. When this is the case, the massage plan should include attention to the Intestines. For other chemo patients, skin rashes were the most severe side effect. For this, the bodywork plan would include Lung. Some patients had diarrhea as an ongoing symptom. The therapist would then work with Kidney, Liver, Intestines and integrate Spleen into the session because this is the organ that is out of balance when moisture presents where it should not be." (Medicine Hands: Massage Therapy for People with Cancer by Gayle MacDonald, M.S., L.M.T., 2007, p.136)
Back to top Enroll NowSample Test Question
Three organs are most affected by the toxic by-products of cancer treatment and are therefore the focus of detoxification for a massage plan. These three organs are
- liver, kidney and spleen
- lung, diaphragm and liver
- spleen, stomach and heart
- liver, spleen and intestines
Search Courses
CE Course Bestsellers
Customer Reviews
This is an excellent way of learning without STRESS.A. Kubinek, LMT, NCTMB
It was so easy to order from the website. The materials arrived quickly. This home study course was convenient, economical, and a great way to fulfill the NCBTMB ethics requirement!Sandra Mainardi, CMT, Lincoln Park, NJ