This two-day certificate training is for a massage therapist, who is ready for a paradigm shift, desires a well rounded practice, and has an interest in working with people who are considered at risk or where massage or bodywork may be deemed a contraindication. The training techniques are unlike those taught in massage school. They provide an alternative to deep invasive or painful therapy, and may be utilized immediately in any practice.

In this Training, you will learn:

• A comparative overview & psychology of cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis & "life-altering" illnesses .
• The client with prostate, ovarian, breast & other cancers
• Indications and contraindications to massage and touch
• Appropriate and inappropriate touch, bodywork, and massage techniques
• Proper positioning and draping
• How to work with a mastectomy client Client/practitioner safeguards
• Legal issues and documentation
• How to integrate clients with cancer into your practice
• About hospice and hospital massage
• Marketing strategies
• You will explore the answers to such questions as: What causes cancer and will massage spread cancer?
• Can I catch cancer HIV/AIDS from giving massage? When do I wear gloves?
• When can the client begin massage? What about chemotherapy and radiation?
• How do I safely position a mastectomy client?
• What is lymph edema and can I treat it?
• What is Kaposi's Sarcoma?
• Why would someone with cancer benefit from bodywork and massage?
• How do I protect myself physically, emotionally, and psychologically when working with clients?

This is an intensive hands-on training with credit for 16 hours or 1.6 Units in NCBTMB & AMTA continuing education. A 100-page manual with hand-outs & a certification of completion is awarded. This class is 50% HANDS-ON. The fee for this class is set by the sponsor.

This is an 8-hour intensive training for massage therapists in integrating breast cancer and surgical clients into their practice. Whether breast surgery is life saving or cosmetic, massage benefits and enhances the healing process.

In this One-Day Training, you will learn

• An understanding of the physiological, social and emotional aspects of breast cancer & breast surgeries
• A review of anatomy, physiology and the lymphatic system relating to the breast
• Lymph edema information: How to recognize lymph edema, how to treat the client with  lymph edema
• A knowledge of the various surgeries: augmentation, explantation, implants, and reduction
• Information on male breast cancer
• Appropriate and effective massage techniques, and hands-on practice
• Positioning, body mechanics, and draping for a chair, side-lying and table
• Demonstration of new techniques to complement existing therapeutic modalities
• Pre-Mastectomy massage guidelines
• Marketing strategies and legal issues necessary to build and maintain a practice
• Skills needed to teach clients self-care techniques including: massage, range of motion, exercise and stretching
• Self-care techniques for therapists
• Broad sample of resources available to the massage therapist and client

The mastectomy training offers credit for 8 clock hours or .8 units for AMTA and NCBTMB. A manual is provided and a certification of completion is awarded. All aspects of lymph edema are explored and discussed. This class is 50% HANDS-ON

This 24-hour training program combines the 2-day Cancer and the 1-day Mastectomy trainings.

Open to the anyone caring for people living with Cancer. Massage training is not necessary.

The techniques in these training sessions may be used immediately in all aspects of private practice. A 204-page manual with hand-outs and a certificate is awarded. The fee for this class is set by the sponsor.

In this Training, you will learn:

• Benefits to mother and baby Limits and contraindications with high-risk mothers
• Positioning & draping, use of special cushions and tables The dynamics of pregnancy and labor
• Anatomy and physiology as related to pregnancy, delivery and postpartum
• Specific full body massage techniques for pre- and post-natal
• Common discomforts and easy relief techniques (sciatica, leg cramps, low back, etc.)
• Marketing to the pregnant client Legal aspects of this specialty

An 80-page manual with hand-outs & a certification of completion is provided. AMTA & NCBTMB recognize credit for 16 clock hours or 1.6 units of continuing education for this class. This class is 50% HANDS-ON. Please review the teaching schedule for dates, location and registration information.

In this Training, you will learn:

• The concept of aging (physiological, psychological, and sociological aspects)
• Benefits to the aging population
• Indications and contraindications
• Client assessment and intake skills
• Positioning
• Specific massage and non-massage techniques
• Chair and bedside techniques for home or institutions
• Marketing strategies and legal aspects necessary to build and maintain a practice
• How to write press releases, brochures, etc.

A manual with hand-outs & a certification of completion is provided. Please review the teaching schedule for dates, location and registration information.

The geriatric training offers credit for 8 clock hours or .8 units of continuing education recognized by AMTA and NCBTMB. Massage training is not required. Experience with elderly is helpful. This course is open to care givers and health care personnel.

The training objectives are:

• Remove the taboo from the practice of breast massage
• Become comfortable and knowledgeable about the choice of breast massage.
• Understand the benefits of breast massage.
• Review the anatomy and physiology of the breast and lymphatic system.
• Demonstrate a minimum of 6 hands on techniques.
• Discuss and identify the legal, ethical and emotional issues relating to breast massage.
• Learn proper positioning and draping.
• Learn how to introduce breaths massage to your clients and practice.
• Obtain valuable hand-out materials to promote breast massage and self-breast massage.
• Learn self breast massage.
  

This training is a fun, educational and essential training for any therapist. You will learn all about your breasts and how to care for them.

While teaching all across the country, Cheryl had the opportunity to discuss breast health with the students that attended her trainings. She was alarmed by the number of women who are unfamiliar with their breasts, much less do self breast massage and exam.  Out of this finding this training program was begun. 

Cheryl is a pioneer in Cancer and Mastectomy Massage. She began teaching Cancer Massage in 1990 before NCBTMB was instituted. An RN since 1965 and a massage therapist since 1988, she has blended her nursing experience and hands-on techniques to teach certification classes in Geriatrics, Pregnancy and specialized programs for the Spa environment.

NCBTMB and AMTA acknowledge 8 credit hours or .8 continuing education units for this training. 3 of the 8 units may be applied to ethics.  For location and dates please go to the calendar page.