At the 2020 Oncology Massage Healing Summit, you will be inspired by many wonderful presenters from around the world while learning new techniques and networking with colleagues.
5:30 – 8:00 p.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel)
Welcome Reception / Networking Event (RSVP requested)
Stacey Schultz – Essential Motion: Awakening Your Vibrant Body
This class invites participants to move their bodies mindfully through movement, curiosity and connection with their breath. Start your day with this class and bring the techniques back to your everyday life. No previous experience or accessories needed. All abilities welcome. This is NOT yoga. (30 PP Max).
Northwestern Health Sciences University
2501 W. 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
Irene Smith – Keynote: Massage as a Means of Comfort, Hope and Healing at the End of Life
In this session Irene will speak to the wide range of positive outcomes for the patient, the family and the professional care provider, of providing massage in hospice care, and challenges practitioners face in letting go.
o Tina Allen – Pediatric Massage (Will repeat Sat. 1:30-3 p.m.)
Explore pediatric massage: how to become trained in this area, the applications for pediatric massage, the many benefits associated with this modality, and research that has reinforced these benefits.
o Cathy Ryan – Oncology Massage Postsurgical Consideration – Fascial Connective Tissue (Will repeat Fri., 4-5:30p.m.)
Included in this presentation are:; an overview of the foundational science of wound healing and scar formation (normal and abnormal), considerations for working with the target tissues and primary systems throughout the healing process and mature scar formation and a demonstration of fascial-connective tissue techniques. A resource bibliography, citing current research to support the presentation material, is included.
It is intended to support the delivery of safe and competent care for better patient outcomes.
o Diane Stewart & Kerry Jordan – Medication and Massage
Can’t we all just get along? Historically, medication and massage therapy have been positioned in an artificial “either/or” relationship. Is this true? Is one “better” than the other? Can they support each other? Why don’t massage therapists and pharmacists have collaborative relationships? Join us as Diana Stewart, Palliative Care Pharmacist and Kerry Jordan, massage therapist and Operations Director of Healwell, discuss where and how massage therapy and medication intersect. Let’s all learn together!
o Pam Conrad – Cancer and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to improve the mind, body, and spirit. It is used by patients with cancer to improve quality of life, reduce stress, anxiety, pain, nausea, and vomiting caused by cancer and its treatment. Aromatherapy may be used with other complementary treatments like massage therapy and acupuncture, as well as with standard medical treatments, for symptom management.
o Niki Munk – How Can My Client Stories Inform Massage For Cancer Practice, Education and Research?
Massage clinicians who work with oncology patients have a trove of stories that could inform massage practice, education and research. Case reports are excellent vehicles to convey such stories but the thought of putting together and publishing a case report can be intimidating. This seminar will provide 1) examples of how treatment notes can be used to retrospectively report meaningful and interesting examples from practice, 2) a roadmap to case report development and publication, and 3) an opportunity for participants to tell their interesting practice stories and develop an individualized case report outline of their most interesting practice story.
o David Farrar and Joseph Muldoon – Visit the Cadaver Lab (Will repeat Fri, 4-5:30 p.m.)
Cadaveric review of important structures involved in conditions/diseases of technology with options to review visceral anatomy. 30 minute break out session that allow participants to go into the cadaver lab to view, palpate and review anatomy covered in the lecture/modalities presentation and general, regional anatomy. (40 people max)
o Johnnette DuRand, Cindy Gillan, Kerry Jordan Moderator: Angela Stelljes – Notes from the Field: A Panel Discussion
Come to an open and lively discussion of oncology massage past, present, and future from premiere educators in the field. This is the place to ask questions, deepen your personal intentions, and celebrate our stories!
o Ruth Werner – Oncopharmacology
It is safe to predict that most people living with cancer use medications. It is also safe to say that many massage therapists have little information on how those medications work, and how massage therapy might affect their function. This introductory pharmacology class addresses basic principles of drug mechanisms, possible side effects and adverse reactions, and how massage can be adjusted to meet those concerns. Special focus is given to drugs used in the context of cancer treatment.
o Cynthia Miller – Five Essential Acupressure Points (Will repeat Sat. 3:30-5 p.m.)
Acupressure is part of an ancient system of healing developed in China. It uses finger pressure on the same points used in acupuncture to support the body’s innate healing ability. Learn points to help with symptoms such as nausea, anxiety and pain. You can use this technique in your work, and share it with clients to enhance their self-care.
o Nancy Keeney Smith – A Combination of Unification: Scars and Lymphatics (Will repeat Sat, 1:30-3pm)
Lymphatic and fascial research are changing the way manual therapists look at the healing process with both systems playing a crucial role in providing a long-term healthy environment for scar tissue management. During this 90-minute overview, you will have a better understanding of the inflammation process, lymphatic system and how both effect scar tissue in early and late stages. Understand the role of chronic edema in treating scar tissue in all phases.
o David Farrar and Joseph Muldoon – Visit the Cadaver Lab
Cadaveric review of important structures involved in conditions/diseases of technology with options to review visceral anatomy. 30 minute break out session that allow participants to go into the cadaver lab to view, palpate and review anatomy covered in the lecture/modalities presentation and general, regional anatomy. (40 people max)
o Jason Erickson – Pain Science: Key Concepts for Evidence-Informed Practice (Will repeat Sat., 10:30 am-12pm)
Learn key concepts in pain science and how to apply them in practice, regardless of the setting in which you work. This includes discussion of dermoneuromodulation in all forms of manual therapy. Pain science is a multidisciplinary field of study, and the treatment of pain raises some interdisciplinary and ethical issues that massage therapists increasingly need to understand. Learn concepts and methods appropriate for all forms of manual therapists, and emphasizes language and techniques used by massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and other health care professionals.
o Cathy Ryan – Oncology Massage Postsurgical Considerations – Fascial-Connective Tissue
Included in this presentation are:; an overview of the foundational science of wound healing and scar formation (normal and abnormal), considerations for working with the target tissues and primary systems throughout the healing process and mature scar formation and a demonstration of fascial-connective tissue techniques. A resource bibliography, citing current research to support the presentation material, is included.
It is intended to support the delivery of safe and competent care for better patient outcomes.
o Allissa Haines – Creating and Executing a Marketing Plan
Where do I start? How much should I budget? Should I have a Grand Opening or throw my energy into AdWords? Most of us run flailing into various marketing tactics, without creating a cohesive plan of action to work from. The results: mediocre and not particularly helpful.
We’ll walk through the questions to ask, the ideas to consider, and you’ll leave with a drafted plan to execute a marketing strategy that will get more clients on your table.
o Nanci Newton and Cindy Gillan – Under Pressure? Working Deeply without Deep Pressure
Clients frequently request deep tissue massage, and many oncology clients expect their “usual” deep massage, through cancer treatment and beyond. It can be a challenge to meet client hopes and expectations, while providing a safe, effective, and satisfying massage session. In this session, we will practice hands-on techniques that can make a gentle oncology session feel deeper. We will explore the language we use to describe pressure. We will provide language scripts for those difficult moments with clients who want deeper work than we can provide. We will practice them to prepare for clients who challenge our gentle approach.
Stacey Schultz – Essential Motion: Awakening Your Vibrant Body
The class invites participants to move their bodies mindfully through movement, curiosity and connection with their breath. Start your day with this class and bring the techniques back to your everyday life. No previous experience or accessories needed. All abilities welcome. This is NOT yoga. (30 PP Max).
Northwestern Health Sciences University
2501 W. 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431
Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello Keynote: Integrating the Arts into the Healing Environment
The plenary will give an overview of the field of Arts & Health in the U.S. and abroad. SPDT Artistic Co-Directors Suzanne Costello and Stuart Pimsler have presented Arts & Health programs worldwide for over two decades earning them the recognition of “Best Practices” by the National Endowment for the Arts. This session will also include an introduction to SPDT’s extensive work with caregivers and specifically their highly successful project, LISTEN/ Stories of Cancer told through Movement, Music, and Voice. This original performance work featured 22 participants impacted by cancer performing alongside the SPDT company and was the subject of a Twin Cities PBS (TPT) documentary. This plenary session will be followed by a breakout session which will be experiential.
o Johnnette DuRand – Integrating Oncology Massage into the Spa Setting
With the benefit of team support spas have a unique opportunity to extend oncology massage outreach further into their communities than independently practicing providers.
Join this program to find out about the importance and how-to of uniform message sharing between spa therapists, coordinators, management and the public, community outreach models that increase visibility, and spa service modifications tailor-made for oncology clients.
o Jason Erickson – Pain Science: Key Concepts for Evidence-Informed Practice
Learn key concepts in pain science and how to apply them in practice, regardless of the setting in which you work. This includes discussion of dermoneuromodulation in all forms of manual therapy. Pain science is a multidisciplinary field of study, and the treatment of pain raises some interdisciplinary and ethical issues that massage therapists increasingly need to understand. Learn concepts and methods appropriate for all forms of manual therapists, and emphasizes language and techniques used by massage therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and other health care professionals.
o Natasha Reuth – The Evolution of Breast Cancer Surgery
Discussion of the evolution of breast surgery from removal of breast, chest muscles and axillary lymph nodes.
o Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello – Caring for the Caregiver
We will build on the content from the plenary session in this experiential session that explores how to care for the caregiver. Through the integration of movement and voice, memories and stories, participants explore ways to express feelings associated with their profession.
o Michelle Burns – Oral Lymphatics
The anatomy of the mouth and teeth is often foreign territory for health care providers, so helping our clients through the post-op period can be daunting and confusing. This class will help the practitioner understand the anatomy of the oral cavity and how to help relieve the discomfort and swelling to assist with healing.
o Tina Allen – Pediatric Massage
Explore pediatric massage: how to become trained in this area, the applications for pediatric massage, the many benefits associated with this modality, and research that has reinforced these benefits.
o Irene Smith – Letting Go Into Love
You will cultivate knowledge of the multidementional relationship of touch through information about our sense of touch guided meditation, dialogue and interactive exercises exploring both tactile and non- tactile touch as it applies to working with dying patients. Touch awareness and Everflowing techniques for working with dying patients.
o Nancy Keeney Smith – A Combination of Unification: Scars and Lymphatics
Lymphatic and fascial research are changing the way manual therapists look at the healing process with both systems playing a crucial role in providing a long-term healthy environment for scar tissue management. During this 90-minute overview, you will have a better understanding of the inflammation process, lymphatic system and how both effects are scar tissue in early and late stages. Understands the role of chronic edema in treating scar tissue in all phases.
o Dale Healey, Carolyn Tague and MK Brennen – Hospital Based Competencies
Given the complexities of hospitals and wide range of patient conditions, it is reasonable that a high level of competence be required to practice massage responsibly in that setting. The ACIH HBMT Task force explored the need for standard HBMT competencies and then developed a peer reviewed set of standards which can now be used by hospitals, educators, and massage therapists.
o Ruth Werner and Niki Munk – Unpacking Current Massage Related Cancer Research to Support Evidence Informed Practice
What is the best, most relevant, most important massage therapy research from the past three years? Come to this class to find out. We will discuss where the chosen articles fit in the research hierarchy, strengths and weaknesses in each, final conclusions, and useful takeaways to use in your practice. Links for participants to download the chosen articles will be shared ahead of time; all articles will be available subscription-free. Guidance for accessing this kind of information will also be shared.
o Cynthia Miller – Five Essential Acupressure Points
Acupressure is part of an ancient system of healing developed in China. It uses finger pressure on the same points used in acupuncture to support the body’s innate healing ability. Learn points to help with symptoms such as nausea, anxiety and pain. You can use this technique in your work, and share it with clients to enhance their self-care.
o Gayle MacDonald – Preparing for the S40M Certification Exam
The why, how and what to qualifying for and sitting the NCBTMB specialty certificate in oncology massage. Therapists will have a chance to review topics included in this specialty exam in a fun, participatory way.
o Kerry Jordan – Unconscious Bias – the way our stories, stereotypes and biases undermine our delivery of optimal care
Funny, You Don’t Look Like Cancer is designed to explore our unconscious biases and the ways that our stories about illness and health prevent us from being of the greatest service possible. This course blends lecture and small group exercises to access our hidden beliefs and to befriend the undeniable truth that you are not the boss of your brain.
o Nanci Newton and Cindy Gillian – Oncology Sports Massage: No Pain & all Gain
Cancer survivors are active and competitive athletes, too! Athletes with cancer histories—and even in active treatment—do seek out sports massage at special events and fundraisers. We will show how elements of oncology massage therapy can and should be integrated into sports massage at athletic events.
Irene Smith – Touch Awareness and Everflowing Techniques for Working with Dying Patients
Explore the foundations of our sense of touch through interactive exercises, as it applies to working with dying patients, learn the everflowing system for delivering massage at the bedside including positioning of the patient; body mechanics for the practitioner; verbal and hands-on cueing and massage technique. Debriefing and Q and A are included. This workshop requests exposure of arms and legs. Please dress accordingly.
Jason Erickson – Introduction to Dermoneuronmodulation
Learn practical applications of modern pain science concepts based upon the Neuromatrix theory of pain and the biopsychosocial model of therapy. Dermoneuromodulation (DNM) provides an updated conceptual framework for massage therapists to better understand pain and how to alleviate it.
Hands-on techniques focus on gentle skin stretching to stimulate non-nociceptive sensory pathways and trigger a downregulation of pain and neural sensitization. Participants learn simple methods for addressing common problem areas around the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and extremities. All hands-on techniques can be adapted for use with any form of manual therapy.
Allissa Haines – Essential Steps to Building a Sustainable Massage Practice:
Running a business has multiple layers, with many moving parts, and it all starts with a standard foundation. You may have already built some of that foundation, but left it unfinished as you try to juggle other tasks, On the other hand, you may have laid a great foundation, but have no idea what to do next. Alternatively, maybe you’ve found that your growth has plateaued. This class will help you work through the foundational layers and determine your options to help build your business. You’ll leave with a specific, customized to do list and the resources needed to fill your practice.
Nanci Newton and Cindy Gillan – Ethics in Oncology Massage and Hospice Care (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) 4 Ethics Hours
Unique ethical questions can come up in oncology massage, end of life care, and massage for anyone with serious illness. Often, we navigate these special circumstances alone. In this session, join a lively discussion of case studies and ethical dynamics. Together we will explore some challenging but rich territory.