Safe Harbor: a Comprehensive Introduction to Oncology Massage
24 CE Instructor: Xerlan Deery LMT, BCTMB
Cancer has touched many of our lives, in fact, more Massage Therapists are seeing people show up for massage appointments every day that have or have had cancer. Massage Therapists need to be trained to be included in the recovery and rehabilitation from this challenge. In this course, Xerlan Deery draws from over 25 years of experience in the hospital-based setting, working within a cancer rehabilitation department, working with oncologists and oncology patients in private practice, and volunteering with several cancer organizations.
This is not just about cancer, how cancer affects the body, and cancer treatments – this is a client-centered approach to Oncology Massage. This course is a comprehensive introduction to working with clients and the challenges of delivering conscious, ethical, and research informed massage therapy in the oncological paradigm.
Attendees will learn about the history of Oncology Massage, standards of practice, communication and documentation skills crucial for working with oncology affected clients. A significant amount of time is spent hands-on, learning and refining specific skills, strategies and techniques necessary to practice with Oncology clients and survivors. Part of the final day is spent establishing competency by working with at least one Oncology client and/or survivor in a supervised clinical setting.
To start your process for attending this class, please click here and fill out and submit the application.
Research Informed Manual Therapy Refinement for Oncologic Pain
6 CE Instructors: Christopher & Xerlan Deery, LMT, BCTMB
Providing massage therapy to individuals that are in cancer treatment and are challenged by the effects of their treatments including discomfort and pain is becoming more acceptable and utilized in major hospitals, cancer centers, health care facilities, and massage therapy practices. This class seeks to clarify the issues surrounding the specific challenges of intractable cancer pain, side effects from pharmaceuticals, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and joint pain, bone pain due to metastases, medical devices, radiation as well as changes in activity, inactivity, movement, and fatigue. This course was developed with over fifty years of combined experience helping clients with cancer pain in a variety of settings, as well as the Massage Therapy Foundation/ Samueli Institute’s The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part II, Cancer Pain Populations (available here).
This course is in no way intended to be or replace a foundational oncology massage course, as offered in our Safe Harbor: A Comprehensive Introduction to Oncology Massage(found here) but it is a distinct opportunity to learn more about what makes cancer pain unique, and how to approach providing therapeutic massage for pain management for individuals during and after cancer treatment that is safe, comfortable and effective.
This class is a hands-on learning environment, so please come expecting a didactic and tactile education experience! This is a hands-on class, so be sure to bring your table, a set of sheets, a bolster or two, or make arrangements so you will be able to work with your peers! It is also highly recommended that you bring something to write on, and with!
Active Survivor: Oncology Massage for Active and Competitive Survivors
6 CE Instructor: Christopher Deery, LMT, BCTMB
Cancer is not necessarily an endpoint to athleticism or activity – but it is a life-changing. Massage is an important component of conditioning for anyone who is active and/or competitive, and cancer survivors are no different – but our approach as massage therapists needs to be. As we look seriously at the increasing numbers of survivors, survivorship programming and the “don’t tell my chemo nurse I’m here” memes, we had to notice there seems to always be a number of survivors and/or people in active treatment at 5ks, marathons, triathlons and a myriad of other events. Active Survivor: Oncology Massage for Active and Competitive Survivors is a class designed to take our existing knowledge of oncology massage and combining it with our awareness of sports massage to produce a more specific approach to support cancer survivors who chose to regain or remain active.
Cancer Survivors and active oncology patients who wish to maintain or increase their physical activity can safely receive massage – as long as the massage therapist is trained in oncology massage. But what about the client that wants to have a sports massage, and is familiar with ‘sports massage’ or has an injury?
- This class will include up to date information about cancer innovations.
- Look at the current culture of non-profit events that raise money for cancer and the survivors that participate.
- Have a fresh view of the survivor athletes and active survivors.
- Review appropriate techniques that can be safely modified.
- In the tent and on the table reality of injuries presenting, how to handle them and when to refer.
- Concepts for smoothly utilizing and including oncology massage at athletic events.
- Modifications to support existing active clients who may be cancer survivors or current patients.
The class contains lecture, extensive hands-on facilitated practice, and Socratic debate. Participants will also need access to tables, linens, and bolsters and/or pillows.
A completed and approved course application is required to attend.
Advanced Practice Oncology Massage: Metastatic Cancer
8 CE Instructor: Xerlan Deery, LMT, BCTMB
This class will present updated information about metastatic cancer from a healthcare perspective.
As more and more people are living with metastatic cancers there is a greater potential for this to show up in massage practices even if you are not in a medical facility. Metastatic does not always mean hospice. Individuals are living with Metastatic Cancer for over 10 to 15 years and longer in some cases. This course is designed specifically for massage therapists that already have had foundational education and experience in oncology massage. Massage therapists who are working with people in cancer treatment and people who have had cancer should be well prepared to work and provide services for people with metastatic cancer; knowledgeably, safely and effectively.
One of the most commonly seen in massage therapy practices is Metastatic Breast Cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has traveled away from the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver or brain. Metastatic is the term used to refer to stage IV cancer. Treatment goals and side effects are different for this stage and the hands-on skills used will need to adjust as well.
There will be a supervised and facilitated on-site clinical practicum with individuals with metastatic breast cancer.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a foundational oncology massage course approved by the Society for Oncology Massage, and completed and approved course application.
Other Classes that could enrich your understanding when working with Cancer, or in an Oncologic Rehabilitative setting: