Oncology Massage Module 1

Module Overview

E-Learning - self-paced over 4 weeks.

1. Start date: one month prior to the In-Person Learning.
2. Eight units: self-paced but must be completed prior to attendance at the In-Person Learning.
3. Weekly online meetings with your Facilitator and student group.
4. Active discussion board and easy access to our team of Facilitators.
5. Allow approximately 3 - 5 hours per week to complete the units. Your individual learning style and schedule may mean you finish sooner or perhaps need a little longer each week.
6. Resources.

Units 1 - 2

• Cancer: the science of how cancer develops and spreads around the body.
• What exactly is Oncology Massage? And why do we need to adapt our techniques?
• Massage Therapist Guidelines: Pressure, Site, Position and Duration adjustments for clients undergoing treatment for cancer. 
• Basic Rules of Oncology Massage Therapy.

Units 3 - 4

• Client Comfort, Care and Considerations; including Pressure, Site, Position and Duration.
• Draping, and managing the massage environment.
• Hygiene and Infection Control.
• Understanding Fascia and its role in health and wellbeing.

Units 5 - 6

• Understand how treatments for cancer affect the body, and how massage therapy can be effective.
• Disease related adjustments.
• The Relaxation Response.

Units 7 -8

• The Lymphatic System: deep overview and awareness on how it is impacted during the course of cancer treatment.
• The Lymphatic System: Risk Reduction Practices.
• The Oncology Massage Health History Intake session.
• Case Studies.
• Ethics.

In-Person Learning - two days (Saturday and Sunday)

1. Face to face with your fellow students and our Facilitator Team.
2. Have your Oncology Massage hands on skills guided and adapted specifically for you.
3. Learn five of our ten specialised Oncology Massage techniques and hone them over two days of practical application.
4. Discuss case histories and practice the plans in person, adapting and amending your learning with each massage.
5. Taking Oncology Massage into your clinics and community, and your next steps.

Oncology Massage Techniques

• Upper Body Safe Massage.
• Leg Techniques One and Two.
• Bone Marrow Support Sequence.
• Seated Fascial Mobilisation.
• Practical - changing and adapting the habits of massage therapy.
• Practical - pressure, site, position and duration massage case studies for clients with appliances, compromised lymphatic systems, scar tissue, and/or bone metastases.

There is no formal examination at the end of this course, however, please note that successfully completing OM1 does not automatically mean that you will be able to progress to [OM2]. Each OM1 participant is assessed for their suitability for this kind of work, and OM2 has additional prerequisites, including a recognised touch therapy qualification.

OM1 Refresher

Anyone who has previously attempted OM1 - successfully or unsuccessfully - is welcome to attend any OM1 course as a refresher. It is no different in any material way from OM1, except that it is half-price. If you fall into any of the Categories listed below, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of this generous opportunity:

• OM1 graduates who wish to proceed to OM2 but who have had little or no opportunity to practise their OM1 techniques, and/or completed OM1 more than 3 years ago. 
• OM2 graduates who have had little or no opportunity to practise their OM1 techniques and/or completed OM2 more than 3 years ago. 
• Previously unsuccessful OM1 students who need to successfully complete OM1 and then OM2 so that they can start working in this field. 
• Previously unsuccessful OM2 students who need to refresh their OM1 techniques before they repeat OM2 (also at half-price).
  

Pre-Course Reading

This textbook is *required OM1 Pre-Course Reading:

• Oncology Massage - An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care by Janet Penny and Rebecca Sturgeon

*OMT Ltd students receive a great discount to purchase through woodslanehealth.com.au!

and this book is highly recommended:

• Quest for Life by Petrea King
• Medicine Hands 3rd Edition by Gayle MacDonald

These books support your Oncology Massage education. OMT strongly suggests they be completed for OM2, so if you are planning to progress to OM2, it is a good idea to get hold of them as soon as possible. You can find more information, and links to each book on the National Library of Australia’s Trove website, on our FAQ page.

You may also wish to join and browse our public Facebook page.

What to bring to the course

For OM1, we need a massage table for every two students. In the first instance, we assume you are bringing a table - so, if you are not, please notify your Course Facilitator so we know how many tables will be available.

Please bring the following manchester and other required materials:

• 2 x pillows with 2 x pillowcases OR 1 x pillow with pillowcase and 1 x bolster with cover
• Face hole pad and 3 x protectors
• 1 x table cover
• 1 x single sheet
• 2 x large towels or bath sheets
• 2 x hand towels
• 1 x light single blanket
• Melrose Sweet Almond Oil (or another brand of sweet almond oil)
• Pens, notepads
• Masks for pracs
• Cleaning wipes
• The mandatory pre-course paperwork