Foundations of Oncology Massage Therapy (NCBTMB and S4OM Approved)

Intro to Oncology Massage

Course ID: CE4028709

Course Type: Home Study

Instructor: Kate Prouty

Total Credits: 8.00

Description:

This eight-hour independent-study course provides massage therapists with foundational knowledge needed to understand cancer and make informed decisions when working with people affected by cancer. The required text is Medicine Hands by Gayle MacDonald. Participants will complete reading from selected chapters, recorded lectures, and online quizzes. Course content includes: Overview of cancer, including cancer types, stages, and diagnosis Common cancer treatments Common cancer- and treatment-related side effects Metastasis Massage considerations for people with cancer Through this combination of reading, recorded instruction, and knowledge assessments, participants will develop a foundational understanding of cancer pathophysiology, commonly used treatments, potential side effects, metastatic disease, and the clinical considerations relevant to providing safe, individualized massage therapy for people with cancer.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Describe major cancer types and explain how cancer is diagnosed and staged. Identify common cancer treatments and explain their potential effects on the body. Recognize common cancer- and treatment-related side effects relevant to massage therapy. Explain metastasis and its significance when planning massage for a person with cancer. Identify potential contraindications, precautions, and treatment modifications for clients affected by cancer. Apply foundational oncology knowledge to make safe, individualized massage therapy decisions in presented clinical scenarios.

Foundations of Oncology Massage Therapy

Course ID: CE4028358

Course Type: Live

Instructor: Kate Prouty

Total Credits: 26.00

Description:

This foundational course prepares licensed massage therapists to safely and confidently provide comfort-oriented massage for people living with or recovering from cancer. The 24 hours of this course take place in person over three consecutive days and are heavily hands-on. Students learn to adjust pressure, site, positioning, duration, pace, and other session elements according to disease presentation, treatment side effects, medical devices, blood counts, lymphedema risk, and tissue sensitivity. Classroom sessions address the nature of cancer, principal treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted and hormonal therapies), side effects, and the proposed mechanisms by which skilled touch supports symptom relief and nervous-system regulation. Clinical Learning Activities include supervised pressure practice, intake interviewing, treatment-plan development, positioning, and a group experimentation session exploring multiple adjustable elements and mechanisms of effect (including focused attention, rocking, holds, temperature, breathing, and expectancy). Near the end of the course each student completes a Comprehensive Practical: a full intake and full-length oncology massage session with an actual client, under instructor supervision and feedback. Emphasis throughout is on presence, clear communication, thorough health-history review, documentation, and scope of practice. Upon successful completion (plus the prerequisite, 8 hour home study Intro to Oncology Massage), graduates meet the competencies of an S4OM-recognized Foundational Course and are prepared to work safely with oncology clients in private practice, hospital, hospice, or outpatient settings.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Identify main cancer types, how cancer spreads, and common diagnostic pathways. Describe principal cancer treatments (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted/hormonal therapies) and their common side effects. Recognize clinical considerations that require massage adjustments, including metastatic sites, fatigue, pain, VTE risk, blood-count changes, medical devices, lymphedema risk, and tissue sensitivity. Apply appropriate pressure, site, positioning, pace, duration, and other session modifications for common oncology presentations. Conduct a thorough health-history review and intake interview, then develop a safe, individualized treatment plan. Demonstrate effective client communication, including discussing adjustments, answering questions, and maintaining therapeutic presence. Complete accurate session documentation and identify scope-of-practice and privacy boundaries. Deliver a full-length oncology massage session (Comprehensive Practical) that integrates intake findings with safe, supportive hands-on care under instructor supervision.