Safe Massage for Oncology Patients with Lymphedema

Rebecca Smith, LMT, LLCC

10 CEs NCBTMB/NY Certified

Date: May 30, 2020 - May 31, 2020
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Online bookings are not available for this class, please see registration info below.


Lecture / Hands-On
$400
Prerequisite: Introduction to Oncology Massage
Contact vanessa@catanyc.com to Register

This class is designed to educate licensed practitioners about lymphedema and how to safely work with clients at risk for or with lymphedema. Lecture and discussion will include risks of lymphedema within oncology and other special populations, anatomy of the lymphatic system, classifications of and common physiological changes due to lymphedema, signs and symptoms, and contraindications and precautions. There will be demonstration and practice of how to adapt standard massage techniques when working with the lymphedema clients. After the demonstration there will be discussion on modifications to practitioners’ flow of the massage session. The goal of this class is to give practitioners the tools to safely and effectively work with the lymphedema population within massage protocols and methodology.

Rebecca Smith copyRebecca Smith is a licensed massage therapist and certified Lymphedema Therapist (LLCC).  She received her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she studied anatomy and kinesiology in addition to her arts education. Her interest in manual therapies began at UNCSA while receiving on-going physical therapy for chronic and acute injuries. After graduating she continued her movement education, adding Pilates instruction and personal training to her repertoire before continuing her manual studies. These studies include CranioSacral Therapy through the Upledger Institute and Lymph Drainage Therapy through the Chikly Institute.  She has deepened her understanding of anatomy by studying human dissection with Gil Hedley, and studied lymphedema therapy with Renee Romero of the Lymphedema Institute of America. Rebecca is a graduate of the renowned Swedish Institute in New York City, taught Wellness classes at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s NY chapter, and worked for NYU’s Perlmutter Cancer Center administering massage to patients while they underwent chemotherapy as well as lymphatic therapy treatments at the Integrative Health Program. Rebecca currently works with a wide range of clients, including current and former cancer patients, clients with lymphedema, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, chronic migraines, or severe anxiety issues. She also works with clients who are looking to address chronic issues, restore function, decrease pain, and or bolster their immune system function. In addition to her private practice, Rebecca is a lymphatic therapist and Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine Service. Rebecca’s work, whether via manual therapy or movement re-education, helps clients restore and bring more balance to their body. Her goal is to help them find more confidence and freedom of movement on multiple levels.

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