Oncology MassageTraining

 Antoinette Muirhead, LMT, Instructor #50-12568, is an approved provider by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy,   Course #20-286063 for 8 CE Hours.

 Antoinette Muirhead is an approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider # 451652-11

Antoinette Muirhead has been an oncology massage therapist for 10 years and is a founding member of The Society for Oncology Massage.  She completed her training at Sheridan Technical School in Hollywood, Florida.  While in massage school her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and that started her on her path of oncology massage.  Training with the top massage educators around the country gave her a solid foundation in oncology massage.

She initiated the Massage Therapy Program at Memorial Cancer Institute in Pembroke Pines, Florida nine years ago, where she is responsible for training new massage therapists for  the  four outpatient cancer centers and two radiation departments.  She initiated the massage program for Adventura Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Adventura, FL in 2010.   She focuses on evidence–based massage for patients during cancer treatment; surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

INTRODUCTION TO ONCOLOGY MASSAGE; FOCUSING ON COMFORT-ORIENTED MASSAGE FOR THE PATIENT LIVING WITH CANCER 8 ceu’s

Purpose and Goals of this Oncology Massage Course

 
The goal of this course is designed to give Massage Therapists an introductory level class for oncology massage.  This initial course will allow the Massage Therapist to work safely with family members and private clients, as well in the spa setting.  Topics covered will include massage modifications for cancer treatment, teaching decisions based on evidence based research, strategies for burn out and Mindy-Body healing arts. Opportunities for class conversations relevant for any Massage Therapist working with cancer survivors are; appropriate communication skills, a caring and empathetic demeanor, as well as learning emotional and physical outlets through self reflection techniques.

Instructional Objectives for the Oncology Massage Therapist

1.   Understanding the importance of evidence based research for oncology massage.
2.   Treatments of cancer, side effects of treatment, massage modifications for cancer treatment.
3.  Significance of nodal dissection and risks and preventions for lymph edema.
4.  Mind-Body techniques for the cancer survivor and Massage Therapist.
5.  Recognizing and finding solutions for burn out.

Course Rational – From Intention to Involvement for the Massage Therapist

This course provides an introductory level oncology massage to educate massage therapists in spas and private practice about the special considerations for patients in treatment for cancer; surgery, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, hormonal and biological therapies.  According to the American Cancer Society, the 5 year-year survival rate in the U.S. rose from 50% to 68%.  For people living with cancer and dealing with the life-long side effects of treatment, the increase in survival rates underscores the importance for oncology massage. Massage Therapists need to be aware of cancer treatments and the side effects of cancer; pre, during and after treatment for cancer.  Understanding the benefits and risks of oncology massage and other complementary care helps the patient cope with the side effects of treatment and improves their quality of life.

Oncology massage research promotes quality patient care that reveals massage is a non-pharmacological treatment for pain, anxiety and fatigue.  This course has been designed as an introductory course to help Massage Therapists understand massage adaptations and special consideration of massage during and after cancer treatment.  With proper training Massage Therapists become vital healthcare support staff.   Massage Therapists with training in oncology massage are essential to treating the “Whole Person,” integrating “high touch” with “high tech.”  Evidence-based oncology massage research blends western medical care with  “Service of the Heart.”

Self care is an important topic in the healthcare community.   Stress takes its toll on healthcare providers.   Whether a Massage Therapist is caring for one client in treatment for cancer or working within a healthcare setting, that individual must learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and learn coping skills.  Self care is necessary as we acknowledge that we will lose patients that we take care of.  We know the importance of complementary care for the patient, but it is also important for the Massage Therapist.  As we understand the healing aspects of massage, music, art, movement, and meditation, we learn to experience the Relaxation Response.  We can better educate the clients that we serve as we help ourselves.
To schedule an Oncology Massage on-site training contact:

Chair Massage for the Oncology Survivor  FL Approved Provider 20-304046  2 ceu’s

Chair massage events are a great opportunity to for Massage Therapists to interact with cancer survivors. It is critical that Massage Therapist understand the side effects of treatment; surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, to make adaptations to the client at a chair massage event.  Understanding the importance of no deep massage for cancer survivors is critical in reducing the possibility of harm during and after treatment at conferences, events, anywhere chair massage is offered.

12 HOUR ONCOLOGY MASSAGE; FOCUSING ON COMFORT-ORIENTED MASSAGE FOR THE PATIENT LIVING WITH CANCER, FL Approved course #20- 317265.  Antoinette Muirhead is a FL Approved Provider # 50-125685 and Approved  by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider # 451652-11

This class offers the Massage Therapist more time to explore the important role that massage offers for the client in cancer treatment; pre, during and after treatment.  The class includes lectures, animated discussions, personal stories, and more time for hands on practice. Increased time will also highlight complementary care that integrates oncology massage therapy with quality of life strategies for patients, survivors and caregivers.  Mind-body techniques that integrate creative arts; movement, meditation and journaling, will be interwoven throughout the class. The additional time in class allows for more time for patient case scenarios; that include bolstering and massage adaptations for treatment side effects of cancer treatment.   Treatment is over, yet long term side effects persist.  Massage strategies for long term side effects of treatment include; permanent neuropathy, awareness of scar tissue from radiation treatment, disease progression, side effects of biological and hormonal therapies, risks and prevention of lymph edema.

Antoinette Muirhead at 954-434-7563 or email tonimuirhead@aol.com