Assessment and Application of Oncology Massage

Date: Jun 30, 2018
Time: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Felicia Newsome, LMT

Lecture/Hands-on
Prerequisite: Introduction to Oncology Massage (or Equivalent)
8 CEs (NCBTMB/NY Certified)
Contact vanessa@catanyc.com to Register
Single Class Tuition: $320

This course is designed as a focused practicum to help students assimilate and apply the material from the foundational courses in the oncology massage program: Introduction to Oncology Massage, Safe Massage for Oncology Patients with Lymphedema and Pharmacological Considerations for Oncology Massage. Alternate bolstering and draping will be practiced in depth. Hands-on time will also include practice of modifying standard massage techniques and
pressure required for safe yet effective massage for the oncology population. Case studies presented will hone students’ critical thinking skills, especially as related to formulation of treatment plans, adaptations to intake protocols, and communication with the client’s medical team.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

 Explore cautions and contraindications based on client’s medical history, cancer type, and medications

 Discuss what complaints may present based on disease, medications and standard chemo treatment options

 Demonstrate understanding of information vital to oncology population intake

 Delineate necessary questions to consider for intake form(s)

 Demonstrate understanding of use of standard oncological medical devices and prosthetics

 Demonstrate appropriate use of alternate positioning as needed to safely provide full-body massage for clients
with medical device attachments

 Demonstrate how to safely and appropriately work with clients with medical devices in seated position

 Demonstrate how to adapt standard bolstering for clients with special considerations including but not limited
to post-operative pain, lymphedema cautions, axillary web syndrome, etc.

 Show understanding of appropriate use of various touch pressures

 Verbalize for clients when and why it is necessary to modify intensity of pressure used during massage
treatment

 Demonstrate adaptations to common massage techniques to facilitate effective tissue change while following
necessary precautions

 Demonstrate knowledge of common side-effects from specific classes of chemotherapy agents

 Demonstrate knowledge of contraindications due to oncological medications and how to modify massage
session accordingly

 Strategize during intake to modify session plans due to client’s reported medication side-effects

 Understand when necessary to refer client to another practitioner, modality, or to contact client’s medical team

 Demonstrate appropriate use of PPE (personal protective equipment) – to glove or not to glove

 Discuss and effectively write massage session notes.

Felicia Newsome, LMT is a NYS Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in oncology massage since 2005. She began comprehensive oncology massage training at Memorial Sloane-Kettering’s Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center (2005 – 2011) working in both the outpatient and hospital settings. She then joined the integrative health team at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center (2009-2016) rounding out her clinical training in the chemo-infusion setting. In 2014, Felicia co-founded the CATA Oncology Massage Training Program where the mission is to educate massage therapists about the latest concepts in cancer care, and facilitate the investigative, critical thinking and communication skills necessary to work safely and effectively with their cancer clients. Felicia is currently Managing Director of the CATA OM Program while working diligently on her Masters in Acupuncture at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.