Oncology Massage Healing Summit

April 24-26, 2020

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.

Attendee Registration – click here
Exhibitor Registration – click here
Sponsor Registration – click here
View the Agenda Online

Recommended Hotel – Click here to make a hotel reservation
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington
3900 American Blvd W. (494 and France Ave)
Bloomington, MN 55437
Call 844-856-8554 by March 27, 2020 and mention
Oncology Massage Healing Summit reduced rate of $131 per night.

Agenda / Topics
Thursday April 23, 2020 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel) Welcome Reception / Networking Event (RSVP requested) Friday April 24, 2020 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel) 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). 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. – Registration/Check-in/Continental Breakfast/Visit Exhibitors Northwestern Health Sciences University 2501 W. 84th Street Bloomington, MN 55431 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Conference Overview – Ericka Clinton, S4OM President 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. 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. 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. Saturday, April 25, 2020 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel) 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). 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 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. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one 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. POST-CONFERENCE SCHEUDLE – Sunday, April 26, 2020, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (unless noted below) 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.

Agenda / Topics

Thursday April 23, 2020

5:30 – 8:00 p.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel)
Welcome Reception / Networking Event (RSVP requested)

Friday April 24, 2020

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel)

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).

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. – Registration/Check-in/Continental Breakfast/Visit Exhibitors

Northwestern Health Sciences University
2501 W. 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55431

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Conference Overview – Ericka Clinton, S4OM President

9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

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.

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

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.

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

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.

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

o David Farrar and Joseph Muldoon – Visit the Cadaver Lab

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

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.

Saturday, April 25, 2020

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. (at the Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington Hotel)

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).

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

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.

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

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

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.

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

o Tina Allen – Pediatric Massage

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.

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions – Choose one

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

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.

POST-CONFERENCE SCHEUDLE – Sunday, April 26, 2020, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (unless noted below)

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.