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Oncology Massage Therapy and Boundaries

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 19:48:25 GMT

Gentle touch massage therapy is a most profound way of communicating with frail people, writes Tania Shaw, Executive Manager of Oncology Massage Limited, a not-for-profit training organisation for therapists who want to work with people with cancer.

‘Can I take a photo? I’d love my daughter to see that I’m having a massage!’

In the palliative ward’s isolation room at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, and after four attempts to enter the room (staff took precedence at the time), I was finally able to speak with the patient and receive informed consent to give her a massage. What I remember most was that this patient’s compromised immune system didn’t stop her from enjoying the massage I offered. In fact, the 20 minutes of hands on acted as a catalyst for deep rest, and a welcomed reduction of the anxiety she was feeling about her next steps.

The peace moving quietly through the room was palpable, and I left the room feeling humbled by the experience and with a heightened awareness that gentle touch massage therapy is a most profound way of communicating with frail people.

The benefits of gentle touch massage are well known and include up to 59%1 relief from pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and depression. However, it’s not just a compassionate and mindful touch that’s required. The trained Oncology Massage Therapist knows how to adapt each client’s massage to gain the best therapeutic outcome for that person. Adaptations of pressure and stroke used, client positioning and duration of session are a standard inclusion of any oncology massage. Contraindications, mobility, effects of medications and the client’s current state of health are also taken into consideration. Sometimes, the session is rescheduled because the client requires medical attention as a priority.

‘Recent Australian research involving surveys of cancer services and cancer survivors indicates a high level of uptake of complementary therapies, especially massage, by patients undergoing cancer treatment, and

a wide disparity between the IO services cancer survivors would like and what they are able to access through their local cancer service.’ – Elizabeth Hall, Graduate of Oncology Massage Limited.

Massage and Myotherapists trained by Oncology Massage Limited are sought out by leading providers of care.2 At the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference in Perth, my colleague David Bailey and I heard more about the demand for massage for people in frail health.

We are able to speak of the multiple benefits because anecdotal evidence is in great quantity. However, formal research is still growing, and we need to continue the push for study in this area.

An ageing population equals increased risk of cancer diagnosis

With the advent of medicines and professional care which enables longer lives, we’re now living with an advanced set of age related physical, mental and emotional issues. According to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission3 ‘The population aged 75 or more years is projected to rise by four million from 2012 to 2060. In 2012, there were roughly, one centenarian for every 100 babies. By 2060, it is estimated that there will be 25 such centenarians.’

Only 41 years away… In 2015, 65% of the disease burden was due to five disease groups; cancer, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, mental and substance use disorders, and injuries.4

We know from Cancer Australia that in 2019, the risk of an individual being diagnosed with cancer by their 85th birthday is estimated to be one in two for both males and females. With these numbers in mind, training in specialised Oncology Massage is essential when working as a Massage or Myotherapist.

"Working with oncology clients is a highly emotive area, and boundaries can easily become blurred." — Tania Shaw

‘First Do No Harm’, right?

Most people become a Massage Therapist or Myotherapist because they care about other people’s wellbeing. They want to make a difference, to provide relief from whatever ails that person. It’s usually physical symptoms that are targeted, but it can also be emotional, physical and spiritual. Working with oncology clients is a highly emotive area, and boundaries can easily become blurred; the therapist being just as vulnerable as the client in this human experience of ours. The key difference is that the therapist is the professional, and must remain in charge of the session.

Compassion and discernment are essential components when working with these clients, as well as education and compliance with your Association’s Code of Conduct, and Policies and Guidelines. Understanding the ethics when working with vulnerable people and practising good self-care by seeking professional supervision and support from people other than the client is crucial. Too easily can a Massage or Myotherapist allow themselves to be drawn in to the ‘Helper’ role; thereby satisfying a need within themselves as well as the one they’ve perceived in their client. Our modality is a client-centred approach, not a self-centred approach.

There are things you, as a massage therapist, can do to ensure your professional manner remains in place, and doesn’t fall by the wayside as you become more familiar with your client. Here are just a few -

Check in with your session conversation:

Is there too much self-disclosure? Are you talking about your own experiences? Your client may feel as though they need to look after you.
Are you encouraging your client to discuss personal things not directly related to the massage session?
Are you offering support outside your scope of practice?

Your health and vitality:

A daily practice of exercise and/or mindful meditation aids in connection with self, family and friends.
Healthy, nutritious food. Eating a diet filled with junk food may lead to fatigue and illness, and an inability to make good decisions.

Know yourself:

Do you say ‘yes’ when you would much prefer to say ‘no’? Why is that? If you can’t answer and continue to exhaust yourself, then it’s time to seek answers from a professional.
Refer on if necessary. Self-awareness is healthy. Embrace professional supervision with a qualified counsellor (not your best friend or partner – they’ll tell you you’re wonderful doing what you do, which is love being supportive, but not particularly useful in this instance!) and stay current with best practice in massage therapy.

Your ability to deliver a professional massage service depends on it. And, best of all, your clients will benefit.

References:

1. Cassileth, B.R., Vickers, A.J., 2004. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. J. Pain Symptom Manage. 28, 244–249.

2. Where are our Graduates working?

3. An Ageing Australia: Preparing for the Future 4. AIHW: Burden of disease

Tania Shaw, Executive Manager, Oncology Massage Limited – a not for profit training organisation teaching qualified massage and myotherapists how to work safely with clients with cancer.

Evidence for Oncology Massage

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:53:54 GMT

Massage & Cancer

Integrative Oncology in Australia 2016: Mapping Service Provision and Exploring Unmet Needs

Smith, C., Hunter, J., Ussher, J. M., Delaney, G., Grant, S., Templeman, K., Parton, C., Kellett, A. (2017)

Australian organisations are increasingly providing Integrative Oncology (IO) services, signalling the need for clearer national guidance and polices. Discrepancies continue between what cancer survivors are doing or seeking, and the IO services they can access. Survivorship and wellness clinics are in urgent need of development. Coordinated strategic planning between all providers and insurers is required if the long-term needs of cancer survivors are to be adequately and equitably met.

Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment

Greenlee H 1,2, DuPont-Reyes MJ 3, Balneaves LG 4, Carlson LE 5, Cohen MR 6,7, Deng G 8, Johnson JA 9, Mumber M 10, Seely D 11,12, Zick SM 13,14, Boyce LM 15, Tripathy D 16.

CA Cancer J Clin. 2017 May 6;67(3):194-232. doi: 10.3322/caac.21397. Epub 2017 Apr 24

Patients with breast cancer commonly use complementary and integrative therapies as supportive care during cancer treatment and to manage treatment-related side effects. However, evidence supporting the use of such therapies in the oncology setting is limited. This report provides updated clinical practice guidelines from the Society for Integrative Oncology on the use of integrative therapies for specific clinical indications during and after breast cancer treatment, including anxiety/stress, depression/mood disorders, fatigue, quality of life/physical functioning, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, lymphedema, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, pain, and sleep disturbance. Clinical practice guidelines are based on a systematic literature review from 1990 through 2015. Music therapy, meditation, stress management, and yoga are recommended for anxiety/stress reduction. Meditation, relaxation, yoga, massage, and music therapy are recommended for depression/mood disorders. Meditation and yoga are recommended to improve quality of life. Acupressure and acupuncture are recommended for reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Acetyl-L-carnitine is not recommended to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy due to a possibility of harm. No strong evidence supports the use of ingested dietary supplements to manage breast cancer treatment-related side effects. In summary, there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of integrative therapies, especially mind-body therapies, as effective supportive care strategies during breast cancer treatment. Many integrative practices, however, remain understudied, with insufficient evidence to be definitively recommended or avoided.

The effect of massage on immune function and stress in women with breast cancer--a randomized controlled trial

Billhult A 1, Lindholm C , Gunnarsson R , Stener-Victorin E .

Auton Neurosci. 2009 Oct 5;150(1-2):111-5. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2009.03.010. Epub 2009 Apr 18.

A single full-body light pressure effleurage massage has a short-term effect on NK cell activity, systolic blood pressure and heart rate in patients with breast cancer. However, the long-term clinical importance of these findings needs to be further investigated.

Natural killer cells and lymphocytes increase in women with breast cancer following massage therapy

Hernandez-Reif M , Field T , Ironson G , Beutler J , Vera Y , Hurley J , Fletcher MA , Schanberg S , Kuhn C , Fraser M .

Int J Neurosci. 2005 Apr;115(4):495-510.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer received massage therapy or practiced progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) for 30-min sessions 3 times a week for 5 weeks or received standard treatment. The massage therapy and relaxation groups reported less depressed mood, anxiety, and pain immediately after their first and last sessions. By the end of the study, however, only the massage therapy group reported being less depressed and less angry and having more vigor. Dopamine levels, Natural Killer cells, and lymphocytes also increased from the first to the last day of the study for the massage therapy group. These findings highlight the benefit of these complementary therapies, most particularly massage therapy, for women with breast cancer.

Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center

Cassileth BR, Vickers AJ.

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2004 Sep;28(3):244-9

Massage is increasingly applied to relieve symptoms in patients with cancer. This practice is supported by evidence from small randomized trials. No study has examined massage therapy outcome in a large group of patients. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, patients report symptom severity pre- and post-massage therapy using 0-10 rating scales of pain, fatigue, stress/anxiety, nausea, depression and "other." Changes in symptom scores and the modifying effects of patient status (in- or outpatient) and type of massage were analyzed. Over a three-year period, 1,290 patients were treated. Symptom scores were reduced by approximately 50%, even for patients reporting high baseline scores. Outpatients improved about 10% more than inpatients. Benefits persisted, with outpatients experiencing no return toward baseline scores throughout the duration of 48-hour follow-up. These data indicate that massage therapy is associated with substantive improvement in cancer patients' symptom scores.

Breast cancer patients have improved immune and neuroendocrine functions following massage therapy

Hernandez-Reif M , Ironson G , Field T , Hurley J , Katz G , Diego M , Weiss S , Fletcher MA , Schanberg S , Kuhn C , Burman I .

J Psychosom Res. 2004 Jul;57(1):45-52.

Women with Stage 1 and 2 breast cancer may benefit from thrice-weekly massage therapy for reducing depressed mood, anxiety, and anger and for enhancing dopamine, serotonin, and NK cell number and lymphocytes.

Massage & End of Life Care

Patients' Autonomy at the End of Life: A Critical Review

Houska A, Loučka M.

J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019 Jan 3. pii: S0885-3924(18)31487-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2018.12.339. [Epub ahead of print] Review.

This systematic review of 27 studies examined autonomy at the end of life based on patients’ preferences. The aim was to develop an evidence-based model of autonomy in this context. Studies providing data gained from family members were excluded because the aim was to capture definitions of autonomy from the patients’ perspective. Analysis of the qualitative and quantitative studies defined two core structural domains of autonomy from the patient perspective at the end of life: ‘being normal’ and ‘taking charge’. The authors discuss elements within these domains that provide important insights. In terms of ‘being normal’ good management of current and future symptoms and of dying itself were strongly supported as important, and for many human touch and the ability to continue in normal daily activities also rated highly. ‘Taking charge’ centred on the need for active control over one’s own life and included maintaining respect and dignity, as well as control over preparation for death and the dying process. The authors conclude that autonomy should not be reduced to decision-making alone and provide insights on how autonomy might be better supported.

Massage & Self Care

Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C, (2012) A preliminary study of the effects of repeated massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in healthy individuals: A study of mechanisms of action and dosage. J. Alternative and Complementary Medicine 18(8): 789-797

Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C, (2010) A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. J. Alternative and Complementary Medicine 16: 1079-1088

Last Updated: 3/Apr/2019

Articles of Interest

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 20:54:06 GMT

Media Articles

2022

The Importance of Touch
Geraldine Earle (OM4)
MASSAGE & MYOTHERAPY AUSTRALIA JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | AUTUMN 2022

2021

Oncology Massage Goes Mainstream
Medical Republic
Thursday, 22/Jul/2021

What is Oncology Massage?
Bernie Withington (OM2, Porirua, NZ)
Massage New Zealand Magazine - Issue 2, 2021, p7

My Experience as an Oncology Massage Therapist
Tess O’Toole (OM4, Christchurch, NZ)
Massage New Zealand Magazine - Issue 2, 2021, p9

A Personal Journey to a Professional Career
Anna Barton (OM2, Dove House, Auckland, NZ)
Massage New Zealand Magazine - Issue 2, 2021, p11

Barriers to the Adoption of Oncology Massage
David Bailey (OML, Canberra, AUS)
Massage New Zealand Magazine - Issue 2, 2021, p25

A Service Evaluation On Providing Massage To Patients Undergoing Treatment For Cancer In A Hospital Setting
Vicki Scott (OM2, Dove House, Auckland, NZ)
Massage New Zealand Magazine - Issue 2, 2021, p27

2018

Supporting Tasmanians Living with Cancer
Hobart Observer
Friday, 15/Jun/2018

Ethics, Massage Therapy, & Cancer Spread
Tracey Walton
Thursday, 7/Jun/2018

2017 and before

Strengthening the Presence of Massage Therapy in Palliative Care
Ronna Moore
Massage & Myotherapy Australia - Journal of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists - Autumn 2017

How does Massage Therapy Make a Difference in Palliative Care
Rudi Paul
Journal of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists - Autumn 2011

A Day in the Life - Massage & Palliative Care
Anne Bate
Journal of Massage Australia - tba

Journal Articles

Adams, J., Sibbritt, D., Broom, A., Loxton, D., Pirotta, M., Humphreys, J., Lui, C.-W., 2011. A comparison of complementary and alternative medicine users and use across geographical areas: a national survey of 1,427 women. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 11, 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-85

Armstrong, K., Lanni, T., Anderson, M.M., Patricolo, G.E., 2018. Integrative medicine and the oncology patient: options and benefits. Support. Care Cancer Off. J. Multinatl. Assoc. Support. Care Cancer 26, 2267–2273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-4007-y

Billhult, A., Bergbom, I., Stener-Victorin, E., 2007. Massage Relieves Nausea in Women with Breast Cancer Who Are Undergoing Chemotherapy. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 13, 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2006.6049

Billhult, A., Lindholm, C., Gunnarsson, R., Stener-Victorin, E., 2009. The effect of massage on immune function and stress in women with breast cancer--a randomized controlled trial. Auton. Neurosci. Basic Clin. 150, 111–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2009.03.010

Boyd, C., Crawford, C., Paat, C.F., Price, A., Xenakis, L., Zhang, W., Evidence for Massage Therapy (EMT) Working Group, 2016. The Impact of Massage Therapy on Function in Pain Populations-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials: Part II, Cancer Pain Populations. Pain Med. Malden Mass 17, 1553–1568. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnw100

Cassileth, B.R., Vickers, A.J., 2004. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. J. Pain Symptom Manage. 28, 244–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2003.12.016

Eldridge, L., 2019. Causes of Insomnia in People With Cancer. Very Well Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-of-cancer-related-insomnia-2248839

Ernst, E., 2009. Massage therapy for cancer palliation and supportive care: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Support. Care Cancer Off. J. Multinatl. Assoc. Support. Care Cancer 17, 333–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-008-0569-z

Falkensteiner, M., Mantovan, F., Müller, I., Them, C, 2008. The Use of Massage Therapy for Reducing Pain, Anxiety, and Depression in Oncological Palliative Care Patients: A Narrative Review of the Literature. ISRN Nurs . 2011; 2011: 929868, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168862/ .

Fourie, W. J., 2008. Considering wider myofascial involvement as a possible contributor to upper extremity dysfunction following treatment for primary breast cancer. Journal Bodywork & Movement Therapy Oct;12(4):349-55. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19083693

Gentile, D., Boselli, D., Yaguda, S., Greiner, R., & Bailey-Dorton, C. Pain Improvement After Healing Touch and Massage in Breast Cancer: an Observational Retrospective Study. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2021 Mar 1;14(1):12-20. eCollection 2021 Mar. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33654502/

Gentile, D., Boselli, D., O’Neill, G., Yaguda, S., Bailey-Dorton, C., Eaton, T.A., 2018. Cancer Pain Relief After Healing Touch and Massage. J. Altern. Complement. Med. N. Y. N 24, 968–973. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0192

Greenlee, H., DuPont-Reyes, M.J., Balneaves, L.G., Carlson, L.E., Cohen, M.R., Deng, G., Johnson, J.A., Mumber, M., Seely, D., Zick, S.M., Boyce, L.M., Tripathy, D., 2017. Clinical practice guidelines on the evidence-based use of integrative therapies during and after breast cancer treatment. CA. Cancer J. Clin. 67, 194–232. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21397

Harrington, J.E., Baker, S., & Hoffman, J. Effect of an integrated support programme on the concerns and wellbeing of women with breast cancer: A national service evaluation. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Volume 18, Issue 1, February 2012, Pages 10-15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388111000466

Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Ironson, G., Beutler, J., Vera, Y., Hurley, J., Fletcher, M.A., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., Fraser, M., 2005. Natural Killer Cells and Lymphocytes Increase in Women with Breast Cancer following Massage Therapy. Int. J. Neurosci. 115, 495–510. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450590523080

Hunter, D., Marinakis, C., Salisbury, R., Cray, A., Oates, R., 2016. Complementary therapy use in metropolitan and regional Australian radiotherapy centres; do patients report effective outcomes? Support. Care Cancer Off. J. Multinatl. Assoc. Support. Care Cancer 24, 1803–1811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2972-6

Johnson, J.R., Crespin, D.J., Griffin, K.H., Finch, M.D., Dusek, J.A., 2014. Effects of integrative medicine on pain and anxiety among oncology inpatients. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. Monogr. 2014, 330–337. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgu030

Kapila, A. K., Herd, A., Knife, N., Chaplin, P., & Patel, A. A Prospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Reflexology in Patients With Breast Cancer Using the MYCaW Scale. Clin Breast Cancer. 2019 Apr;19(2):e319-e326. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2018.12.007. Epub 2018 Dec 19. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30691931/

Kinkead, B., Schettler, P.J., Larson, E.R., Carroll, D., Sharenko, M., Nettles, J., Edwards, S.A., Miller, A.H., Torres, M.A., Dunlop, B.W., Rakofsky, J.J., Rapaport, M.H., 2018. Massage therapy decreases cancer-related fatigue: Results from a randomized early phase trial. Cancer 124, 546–554. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.31064

Kutner, J.S., Smith, M.C., Corbin, L., Hemphill, L., Benton, K., Mellis, B.K., Beaty, B., Felton, S., Yamashita, T.E., Bryant, L.L., Fairclough, D.L., 2008. Massage therapy versus simple touch to improve pain and mood in patients with advanced cancer: a randomized trial. Ann. Intern. Med. 149, 369–379. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-149-6-200809160-00003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18794556

Lee, S.-H., Kim, J.-Y., Yeo, S., Kim, S.-H., Lim, S., 2015. Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy on Cancer Pain. Integr. Cancer Ther. 14, 297–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735415572885

Listing, M., Reisshauer, A., Krohn, M., Voigt, B., Tjahono, G., Becker, J., Klapp, B. E., & Rauchfuss, M. Massage therapy reduces physical discomfort and improves mood disturbances in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology 2009 Dec;18(12):1290-9. doi: 10.1002/pon.1508. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19189275/

Lopez, G., Liu, W., Milbury, K., Spelman, A., Wei, Q., Bruera, E., Cohen, L., 2017. The effects of oncology massage on symptom self-report for cancer patients and their caregivers. Support. Care Cancer Off. J. Multinatl. Assoc. Support. Care Cancer 25, 3645–3650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3784-7

Mao, J.J., Wagner, K.E., Seluzicki, C.M., Hugo, A., Galindez, L.K., Sheaffer, H., Fox, K.R., 2017. Integrating Oncology Massage Into Chemoinfusion Suites: A Program Evaluation. J. Oncol. Pract. 13, e207–e216. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.2016.015081

Noto, Y., Kitajima, M., Kudo, M., Okudera, K., Hirota, K., 2010. Leg massage therapy promotes psychological relaxation and reinforces the first-line host defense in cancer patients. J. Anesth. 24, 827–831. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-010-1028-9

Oh, B., Butow, P., Mullan, B., Beale, P., Pavlakis, N., Rosenthal, D., Clarke, S., 2010. The use and perceived benefits resulting from the use of complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients in Australia. Asia Pac. J. Clin. Oncol. 6, 342–349. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-7563.2010.01329.x

Ovayolu, O., Seviğ, U., Ovayolu, N., & Sevinç, A. The effect of aromatherapy and massage administered in different ways to women with breast cancer on their symptoms and quality of life. Int J Nurs Pract 2014 Aug;20(4):408-17. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12128. Epub 2013 Aug 5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25157942/

Post-White, J., Kinney, M.E., Savik, K., Gau, J.B., Wilcox, C., Lerner, I., 2003. Therapeutic Massage and Healing Touch Improve Symptoms in Cancer. Integr. Cancer Ther. 2, 332–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735403259064

Sagar, S. M., T Dryden, T., & Wong, R. K. Massage therapy for cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and mind. Current Oncology. 2007 Apr;14(2):45-56. doi: 10.3747/co.2007.105.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17576465/

Sey, A.K., Hunter, J., 2020. Finding the value in oncology massage: A mixed-method study of cancer services and survivors in Australia. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2020.01.003

Shin, E.-S., Seo, K.-H., Lee, S.-H., Jang, J.-E., Jung, Y.-M., Kim, M.-J., Yeon, J.-Y., 2016. Massage with or without aromatherapy for symptom relief in people with cancer. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. CD009873. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009873.pub3

Smith, C.A., Hunter, J., Delaney, G.P., Ussher, J.M., Templeman, K., Grant, S., Oyston, E., 2018. Integrative oncology and complementary medicine cancer services in Australia: findings from a national cross-sectional survey. BMC Complement. Altern. Med. 18, 289. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-018-2357-8

Wang, K., Qi, S., Lai, H., Zhu, X., Fu, G., 2018. Clinical massage therapy for patients with cancer-related fatigue protocol of a systematic review. Medicine (Baltimore) 97, e13440. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000013440

Wilkinson, S., Barnes, K., Storey, L., 2008. Massage for symptom relief in patients with cancer: systematic review. J. Adv. Nurs. 63, 430–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04712.x

Therapist Resources

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 20:17:38 GMT

You Tube Videos

Publicly available videos used in OMT training:

The Anatomy of Cancer

Strolling under the Skin

Logos & Posters

'Trained by OMT' logo

Conference Presentations

Flinders Survivorship Conference 2015

Tasmania Palliative Care Conference 2015

13th Australian Palliative Care Conference 2015

Western Sydney University Research Partnerships Program

Can't find a resource you're looking for? Contact our team for assistance.

Recognised Professional Associations

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:33:10 GMT

For OM2 Registrations

OML recognises the following professional membership organisations as part of the elgibility requirements for OM2 Course registration. Please note that OM1 Course Registration does not require membership of a professional organisation :

If your professional/regulatory organisation is not listed here, please contact us to discuss.

For OMBT Registrations

OML recognises the following professional membership organisations as part of the eligibility requirements for OMBT Course registration.

If your professional/regulatory organisation is not listed here, please contact us to discuss.

Various Organisation Logos (From Left to Right)

Association of Massage Therapists, Australian Natural Therapists’ Association, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australian Traditional Medicine Society

Therapists' Reading List

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 19:15:46 GMT

Fiction

The Book Thief – by Markus Zusak
The Cancer Ladies' Running Club - by Josie Lloyd
The Five People You Meet in Heaven – by Mitch Albom
The Great Blue Yonder – by Alex Shearer
The Lovely Bones – by Alice Sebold
The Prophet – by Kahlil Gibran
Tuesdays with Morrie – by Mitch Albom

Non-Fiction:

A Good Life to the End – by Prof Ken Hillman
Being Mortal : Medicine and What Matters in the End – by Atul Gawande
Conversations about Death : A Practical Guide to Talking about End-of-Life Care and Dying – by Sally Cant
Die Wise : A Manifest for Sanity and Soul – by Stephen Jenkinson
Dying to Know : Bringing Death to Life – by Andrew Anastasios
Dying to Talk Discussion Starter : Working Out What is Right for You – by Palliative Care Australia
My Story – Jarrod Lyle – The Inspiring Life of One of Sport's True Fighters – by Jarrod Lyle
On Living – by Kerry Egan
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes : And Other Lessons from the Crematorium – by Caitlin Doughty
The Believer : Encounters with Love, Death & Faith – by Sarah Krasnostein
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying - A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing – by Bronnie Ware
When Breath Becomes Air – by Paul Kalanithi

A Good Life to the End – by Prof Ken Hillman

A professor of intensive care asks why so many elderly people linger in pain and confusion in ICU when all they want is to die at home in peace and with their loved ones.

Our Stories: Jack

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:41:39 GMT

I met Jack at the very beginning of my work in oncology massage (pre OMT) and boy did I learn some powerful lessons with him.

Jack was a family man, twice over in fact, and loved each of his children and his wife with his entire being; you could feel how much this family were together the minute you walked into their home. His sense of humour was legendary and I got a taste of it as soon as we met. “You can do anything you want to me today; just don’t step on me oxygen tube mate, I’m not quite ready to go yet” and gave me a wry grin. Well that set the scene there and then! After getting him comfortable seated at the dining table with pillows etc I then proceeded to give him a massage that I thought was a fair go at making him more relaxed. He gave me another wry grin at the end of the session and said “you were doing alright til you pulled me toes mate”. My earlier training in massage involved gently pulling on the toes at the end of the foot massage… big lesson learnt there with respect to old habits, I hadn’t even realised I’d done it.

Jack’s family were constantly by his side; his children would walk by and hug or kiss him with a “you alright Dad?”, and I came to know them well. There were also the phone calls his wife cheerfully and wearily answered; friends wanting to visit or check in. I learnt that he was a mentor to many and friend to all and decided his wife had a Superwoman cape stashed under her every day clothes.

"There have been so many spirited and inspirational people that have come through my door; some I’ve “forgotten” only to have them brought back to life with a chance remark, or conversation with their loved one…

The lessons I have learnt through these people have been gifts to me and I’d like to pay homage to them with the telling of their stories. It would be impossible to gain permission from all the families so out of respect for their privacy I’ll use pseudonyms" – Tania Shaw.

One day I walked in to see Jack looking paler than before; the change in just a couple of days was evident. I remember him looking up at me and saying “Not long now mate”. I caught my breath… what on earth do you say to that? Well, not much at all I’ve since come to learn. I think I said something along the lines of “Are you all sorted with everything? Anything you need me to do?” but really, it was a moment that didn’t need commenting on. We smiled at each other and I went about doing what I knew best, and that was to ease the deep ache in his shoulders and his back from the effort of breathing and from being sedentary in awkward positions for so long. The day he left the planet was the day I sat my muscle exam for my Diploma of Remedial Massage. His wife rang to tell me in the morning and said thank you for everything, you made the difference between Jack being in pain and not as much pain. I was able to express to her later how much I appreciated being in their lives at such an intimate time; how blessed I was to meet them and to share in some of Jack’s valuable time.

Jack’s face was floating in front of me the whole time I was frantically writing in the names of the muscles around the figure on the page... I like to think he was helping.

I attended his funeral and the hall was overflowing. I sat at the very back hoping I was far enough away to not feel the full impact of the emotion that was so tangibly present. I was wrong of course. I didn’t realise that these days there are power point presentations up on a very big screen. Watching the pictures flash past was a treat, seeing another aspect of Jack’s life that I was unfamiliar with until the picture of Jack sitting on the lounge with his children came up. He was bald from chemo and that was the Jack I knew.

Never underestimate the power of images, they have an immense impact and I was grateful I was sitting down with a fist full of tissues.

Jack’s funeral service was a beautiful tribute to him; his wife said he would have loved all the fuss that was made of him but can she go home now please? We joked about the proverbial desert island, free from technology and well meaning but emotionally draining relatives and friends, stocked to the hilt with red wine, food and hammocks.

That very gentle and humble man lives on in his talented children who are a testament to the values and ethics by which he lived his life. Thank you Jack.

Therapist in Focus: Charlotte Bosson

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:35:55 GMT

Charlotte Bosson operates City Haven Massage Therapy in Parkville and Mont Albert, Victoria.

I am an OM2 and a Myotherapist. I began my massage career in 2003 and started my business in 2005. I hold an Advanced Diploma and I’ve just begun study towards a Bachelor of Health Science (Myotherapy). I’ve been running my business for 11 years and I strive for professionalism and provide a range of services. I’ve embraced my oncology massage skills and incorporate them into the care of many clients; not all of them have cancer.

Since 2009, I have been onsite at Mercy Place, Parkville. We visit the nursing home and see people (80+) living onsite independently. When I had the opportunity to open a different location at the same site and be open to the public, I had the idea of offering oncology massage to the community as it fits in well with our other compassionate work in aged care.

I run another clinic with Myotherapists in Mont Albert and we specialise in Myotherapy treatments at that location. I’m not sure of the interest we’ll get for oncology massage in Parkville but I’m giving it a go to see if there is demand; we are located close to Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. I’ve hired Geraldine Eearle, who is an OM4, to assist me. I’ll do a lot of Myotherapy sessions onsite too; many of the elderly onsite residents actually love my Myotherapy treatments.

Geraldine and I offer different treatment styles but we share a bond with oncology massage and I am a therapist that can work on a sliding scale of need depending on the presentation of my client.

My biggest desire is to bring a professional service of care to the community and I am glad to offer oncology massage services as part of that. The clinic is modern and professional – a great place for anyone who is considering treatment.

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