ONCOLOGY MASSAGE FOR THE SPA SETTING

Description

THIS COURSE IS PRESENTED AS A ZOOM WEBINAR

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE FOR THE SPA SETTING

20 CE Hybrid Course

4 CE Online Home Study + 16 CE Two-Day Live Hands-On webinar

Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey Cullers
Course Format: Hybrid — Online Home Study + 2-Day Live Hands-On webinar
Level: All Levels — No previous oncology massage training required

NCBTMB Course Numbers:
4 CE Online Home Study — CE4028273
16 CE Live Hands-On webinar — CE4028275

COURSE FORMAT

Oncology Massage for the Spa Setting is a 20 CE hybrid course consisting of:

Part 1 — 4 CE Online Home Study

Four online educational modules provide the foundational knowledge needed before attending the live training.

Part 2 — 16 CE Two-Day Live Hands-On Webinar

Two days of instructor demonstration, guided hands-on practice, treatment modification, and practical application.

The online home study must be successfully completed before attending the live webinar. Both components are required to complete the 20 CE course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Massage therapists working in today's spa environment are increasingly likely to encounter clients who are living with cancer, undergoing treatment, or transitioning into survivorship.

Massage can provide comfort, relaxation, and supportive touch for these clients. However, cancer and its treatments can create important considerations that require therapists to modify pressure, positioning, techniques, treatment areas, and the overall structure of a massage session.

Oncology Massage for the Spa Setting is designed to help massage therapists develop the knowledge, confidence, and hands-on skills needed to appropriately adapt a spa massage for clients affected by cancer.

The online portion establishes the educational foundation for understanding the oncology client, treatment-related considerations, massage modifications, communication, and safe session planning.

The live portion then moves from knowledge to application. Participants learn the Spartan Oncology Massage System™, along with hands-on techniques and treatment modifications that can be incorporated into a comfortable, flowing full-body massage appropriate for the spa environment.

The goal is to provide therapists with more than a collection of individual techniques. Participants leave with a structured system for assessing the client, modifying the session, selecting appropriate techniques, and creating an individualized oncology massage experience.

WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR

This course is designed for massage therapists who want to:

  • Develop greater confidence working with clients affected by cancer
  • Understand how cancer and cancer treatments may affect massage
  • Learn how to modify pressure, positioning, techniques, and treatment areas
  • Improve oncology-specific intake and assessment skills
  • Recognize situations requiring additional caution or modification
  • Provide a comfortable, supportive full-body massage appropriate for the spa environment
  • Incorporate gentle, low-strain techniques into professional massage practice
  • Make more informed treatment decisions while remaining within their professional scope of practice

No previous oncology massage training is required.

PART 1 — 4 CE ONLINE HOME STUDY

NCBTMB Course #: CE4028273

The online home study consists of four modules that prepare participants for the two-day hands-on training.

Module 1 — Understanding the Oncology Client in the Spa Setting

Introduces the oncology client and examines how cancer history, current health status, treatment experience, and individual needs may influence the massage session.

Participants begin developing an understanding of the massage therapist's role in providing safe, supportive touch within the spa environment.

Module 2 — Cancer Treatment Side Effects & Massage Considerations

Examines common treatment-related effects that may influence massage, including:

  • Fatigue
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Skin fragility and sensitivity
  • Lymphedema risk
  • Bone health considerations
  • Emotional stress
  • Other treatment-related changes relevant to massage

The emphasis is on understanding why and when a massage session may need to be modified.

Module 3 — Safe Session Planning & Massage Adaptation

Focuses on translating oncology knowledge into practical treatment decisions, including:

  • Pressure modifications
  • Positioning
  • Treatment-area considerations
  • Areas requiring additional caution
  • Session planning
  • Appropriate massage adaptations
  • Decision-making within the massage therapist's scope of practice

Participants learn to move away from a one-size-fits-all massage and toward an individualized approach.

Module 4 — Communication & Creating a Supportive Spa Experience

Focuses on the interpersonal and professional aspects of working with oncology clients, including:

  • Client communication
  • Navigating sensitive conversations
  • Creating a comfortable and supportive environment
  • Building trust
  • Supporting the client's overall massage experience
  • Preparing for hands-on application during the live seminar

PART 2 — 16 CE TWO-DAY LIVE HANDS-ON WEBINAR

NCBTMB Course #: CE4028275

The two-day live webinar builds upon the online education and focuses primarily on hands-on application, treatment modification, and session integration.

Spartan Oncology Massage System™

Participants learn a structured approach to planning and performing an oncology massage appropriate for the spa environment.

The system follows five phases:

ASSESS — PREPARE — PERFORM — ENHANCE — APPLY

Participants learn how assessment, treatment modifications, technique selection, and session flow work together to create an individualized massage experience.

Cullers Full-Body MLD Sequence™

Participants learn a gentle, flowing full-body Hybrid Manual Lymphatic Drainage sequence for appropriate use within the oncology massage and spa environment.

Training addresses:

  • Gentle MLD techniques
  • Appropriate pressure and rhythm
  • Treatment sequencing
  • Integration into a full-body massage
  • Individual client modifications
  • Situations in which techniques should be modified or avoided

NOTE: The Cullers Full-Body MLD Sequence™ presented is designed for clients who DO NOT have lymphedema but would like to experience the therapeutic benefits of MLD. The techniques presented are NOT intended to address clients who have lymphedema.   

Therapeutic Stress Reduction Massage Techniques

Participants practice gentle massage techniques designed to support relaxation, comfort, and stress reduction.

Training emphasizes appropriate pressure, smooth transitions, client comfort, therapist body mechanics, and integration of the techniques into the overall massage session.

Acupressure & Gentle Passive Stretching

Participants are introduced to selected acupressure techniques and gentle passive stretching applications that may be incorporated when appropriate.

Emphasis is placed on client comfort, appropriate application, controlled movement, feedback, and recognizing when a technique should be modified or avoided.

Practical Application

Throughout the two-day webinar, participants apply what they learned during the online home study through:

  • Oncology-specific intake and assessment
  • Treatment planning
  • Pressure and positioning modifications
  • Instructor demonstrations
  • Guided hands-on practice
  • Case-based learning
  • Treatment sequencing
  • Full-session integration
  • Instructor observation, feedback, and correction

The emphasis is on developing the ability to make appropriate treatment decisions and adapt the massage to the individual client, rather than simply memorizing techniques.

WHAT YOU NEED

For the live webinar, please have:

  • Massage table — one table for every two attendees
  • Linens
  • Massage lotion or oil
  • Notepad and writing materials
  • Snacks
  • Non-alcoholic beverages

Additional instructions will be provided before the webinar.

WHAT TO WEAR

Wear loose, comfortable clothing suitable for hands-on training.

Shorts and a tank top are strongly recommended to allow appropriate access during hands-on practice.

MINIMUM ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT

A minimum of 20 paid massage therapists is required for the live webinar to be held.

Enrollment will be reviewed 14 days prior to the scheduled webinar date.

If the minimum enrollment has been met, the webinar will proceed and registered participants will receive final seminar and venue information.

If fewer than 20 paid attendees are registered, the webinar will be canceled and participants may choose either:

  • A full refund, or
  • Transfer to another available Oncology Massage for the Spa Setting webinar

REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY

Participant Cancellations

  • 14 or more days before the webinar: Full refund or registration credit
  • Less than 14 days before the webinar: Non-refundable
  • No-shows: Registration fee is forfeited

If Spartan Continuing Education Seminars cancels the seminar, participants will receive a full refund or transfer option.

NOTE: live webinars with an instructor present (versus a pre-recorded webinar without an instructor present), may not be accepted by some Boards of Massage Therapy for CE renewal in some states. Attendees will need to verify with their Board of Massage Therapy if CEs earned from a NCBTMB Approved CE course as a live webinar with an instructor present is accepted.

NCBTMB APPROVAL

Premier Continuing Education LLC d/b/a SPARTAN Continuing Education Seminars is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider and is also sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs continuing education that is accepted by the state of New York for license renewal.

Participants are responsible for verifying the continuing education requirements applicable to their individual state license, certification, employer, or professional credential.

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