Massage Therapy Foundation Post
Convention Workshop
September 26-27, 2010
Instructor: Tracy Walton
Cancer and Massage: Safe Practice
Steps for Massage Therapists (10.0 CE hours)
and
Massage Elements for Medically Complex Clients (2.0 CE
hours)
Two courses are combined in this workshop
Massage therapy
is a growing part of cancer care. People seek massage
therapy during treatment, end of life, diagnosis, and
survivorship. In this lively, interactive course, we
outline the steps for working safely and skillfully with
people with cancer and cancer histories.
To do this, we
dispel the myths surrounding massage and cancer, and
discuss concrete massage adjustments for a broad range
of client presentations, including bone and vital organ
involvement, lymphedema, thrombosis, and side effects of
common cancer treatments. We assemble questions into a
brief client interview, and learn how to use the
client’s answers directly in the massage plan. We work
with case studies in class, and discuss when and how to
include the client’s physician in the massage planning.
We introduce
simple tools to smooth the way for safe, effective
massage. We use a quick “decision tree” format to
identify massage contraindications and map out our
adjustments in pressure, joint movement, client
position, and other factors. With an easy-to-use
pressure scale, we describe the massage pressures used
for different states of health, from robust to medically
frail. The tools can be used for other medical
conditions commonly encountered in massage settings:
spas, hospitals, and private practice.
Note: There is
brief hands-on instruction in this workshop, but massage
tables are not required. Please wear sleeves that are
easily rolled up for work on the arms. Hand towels and
lotion will be provided.
Learning
Objectives
At the end of
this workshop, the participant will be able to:
1.
Educate massage therapy consumers about the safety of
massage therapy for cancer, and dispel common myths
about massage and cancer;
2. Outline the steps used in massage
planning for people with cancer and cancer histories;
3. Identify
interview questions and massage adjustments for tumor
sites, bone involvement, and vital organ involvement
4. Identify
massage adjustments for lymphedema risk and history,
deep vein thrombosis risk and history, and common side
effects of cancer treatment.
5. List six
massage adjustments for medically complex client
presentations;
6. Describe
five common levels of massage therapy pressure in
numerical terms, based on typical clinical uses and
tissues displaced.
 Tracy
Walton, LMT, MS, is a massage therapist, researcher
and educator in massage and cancer care, with 20 years
in practice. She is the author of a textbook,
Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy (Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2010). Her column on cancer and
massage appears regularly in Massage Today. She
helped create the award-winning film, “Touch, Caring,
and Cancer,” and has worked on NIH-sponsored research on
people with cancer and their caregivers. Tracy’s
classrooms are friendly and interactive, and she warmly
welcomes and reaches massage therapists from all levels
of training.
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