Oncology Massage Therapy with Tracy Walton, MS, LMT617.661.5800
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Tracy Walton, LMT, MS, is a researcher, writer, award-winning educator, and specialist in massage therapy and cancer care. She is a dynamic voice for the power of touch, and is the author of a textbook, Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). Tracy appears in the film “Touch, Caring, and Cancer,” an inspiring instructional program for care partners. She has worked in private practice, hospital and spa settings since 1990. In her presentations, Tracy warmly welcomes and reaches consumers, researchers, health care providers, and massage therapists from all levels of training. Learn about her work in oncology massage at www.tracywalton.com.
Tracy Walton will be offering her 4-day intensive workshop, “Oncology Massage Therapy: Caring for Clients with Cancer” (32 CEUs), at the Watertown Center for Healing Arts on the following dates:
Thursday, February 2 – Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thursday July 12 – Sunday, July 15, 2012
Thursday, October 18 – Sunday, October 21, 2012
Registration is at 617 661 5800 or at www.tracywalton.com
Questions may be directed to 617 661 5800 or info@tracywalton.com
As the role of massage therapy in cancer care expands, it is an exciting time to provide oncology massage. In this intensive course, we combine the art and science of touch to create safe, effective massage sessions for clients with cancer and cancer histories. In a lively, supportive learning environment, participants learn simple, concrete ways to adapt traditional massage to cancer and cancer treatment. We practice interviewing, follow-up questions, massage planning, and adapting traditional western massage techniques to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, bone metastasis, vital organ involvement, and lymphedema risk. We look closely at the dynamics of cancer spread, shining new light on the old myth that massage was contraindicated, and we introduce several approaches for educating the public about this common concern. We summarize the best research in oncology massage, and identify responsible claims about massage and symptom relief. Unique positioning and bolstering techniques are introduced for pain relief, sleep support, and overall comfort. We use guiding principles and practices that can be implemented across a broad spectrum of client presentations (from robust to medically frail), in a variety of massage settings (hospital, private practice, spa or retreat center, franchise or group practice, hospice).
A balanced approach to learning blends lecture, spirited discussion, and hands-on work with client volunteers. Music, art, and literature help to deepen our understanding of the journey. Massage therapists leave with essential oncology massage tools: sample protocols, a client intake form, follow-up questions, visual “decision tree” massage contraindications, a physician communication form, interviewing experience, supervised hands-on practice, and an extensive training manual. Because we are recognized by the Society for Oncology Massage, participants who complete the training are eligible to apply for membership.
1. List physical and psychological benefits of massage therapy for people with cancer, and identify which are supported by research.
2. Recognize the basic steps of cancer metastasis, and help to dispel concerns that massage and increased circulation could spread cancer.
3. Communicate clearly with consumers and other health care professionals about common massage therapy adjustments for cancer, using a Decision Tree and describing massage elements such as pressure, joint movement, site, and position in plain language.
4. Adapt massage therapy to typical cancer presentations, including accessible primary tumor sites, bone involvement, and vital organ involvement.
5. Adapt massage therapy to common cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
Prerequisites
Graduates of at least a 500-hour professional massage therapy program or equivalent. Advanced students who have completed pathology coursework and some clinical experience, by approval of the instructor. Other health professionals with instructor approval.
Click here for more details and to register
“Superb, detailed, energetic presentation!”
–Dinah Barlow, Cambridge, MA
“Excellent! Targeted, concise, and manageable within the time frame given.”
–Dina Weiss, Silver Spring, MD
“Helped me to be more articulate in marketing myself.”
–Leslie Diamond, Annapolis, MD
Keywords: Cancer massage, Oncology massage, Oncology massage therapy. Massage in Cancer Care
