In the ever-evolving field of massage therapy, specialized training is a great way to advance your career and differentiate yourself from other massage therapists.
As healers dedicated to enhancing the well-being of clients, massage therapists often seek additional certifications to deepen their understanding and refine their skills. One area that has gained prominence is oncology massage.
What Is Oncology Massage?
Oncology massage is the application of massage therapy for clients who have or had cancer. People who are actively in cancer treatment, in recovery, or successfully completed cancer treatment can all benefit from oncology massage.
According to the American Cancer Society, nearly two million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2023. For massage therapists, adapting massage techniques is crucial now that holistic healing is becoming more popular among people undergoing cancer treatment.
Massage Therapy Benefits for Cancer Patients
Survival rates for cancer are increasing, but the intense treatment comes with side effects like constant pain, discomfort, nausea, and high levels of stress.
In an integrative healthcare plan, massage therapy can play a key role in managing these side effects while patients undergo treatment. Even for those who are in recovery or cancer-free, massage therapy continues to be a source of stress relief.
Some of the top benefits for cancer patients include:
- Relieving pain: Pain is inevitable during cancer treatment, but massage therapy is a promising method for relieving or reducing pain in cancer patients.
- Alleviating stress and anxiety: The impacts of cancer go beyond physical pain, including emotional overload and depression. Massage therapy can alleviate symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
- Reducing nausea: Chemotherapy is known for causing nausea and vomiting, but massage therapy is an excellent way to counteract these side effects.
- Improving sleep quality: Sleep is a crucial part of any healing process. Massage therapy can improve sleep quality by easing physical symptoms like fatigue and nausea, as well as mental symptoms like anxiety and depression.
- Enhancing mood: Since massage therapy is well-known for alleviating stress and anxiety, it can also foster a sense of relaxation that improves a patient’s overall mood.
The Role of Healers in Oncology Massage
Based on the benefits outlined above, it’s safe to say that trained massage therapists play a vital role in the well-being of cancer patients. They address physical discomfort as well as the emotional and psychological aspects of a patient’s journey by offering holistic methods that aid in treatment and recovery.
Why Earn an Oncology Massage Certification?
If you want to be a massage therapist that helps cancer patients, you’ll need to earn an oncology massage certification. Through a certified course, you can learn the ins and outs of proper oncology massage therapy that can change the lives of numerous cancer patients. Plus, enrolling in continuing education is always a wise investment that allows you to expand your expertise.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from earning an oncology massage certification.
1. Enhance Your Skills
Advanced certifications, such as an oncology massage certification, provide in-depth training in specialized techniques that can enhance your skills. For instance, the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy’s continuing education course in oncology massage therapy includes simple integrative touch therapies, advanced massage training catered for cancer patients, and four hours of ethics education. The combination of these courses ensures well-rounded skills development for high caliber massage therapists.
2. Expand Your Practice
Advanced certifications—like an oncology massage certification—allow therapists to diversify their range of services. This means they can serve a wider range of patients and increase their clientele. This is particularly important for those who want to expand their practice long-term.
3. Foster a Holistic Approach to Healing
An oncology massage certification encourages therapists to adopt a holistic approach to healing in both specialized and general massage therapy methods. By addressing the physical and emotional challenges of patients battling cancer, it encourages more massage professionals to provide comprehensive care to their clients.
4. Promote Personal and Professional Growth
By earning advanced certifications, therapists can gain confidence in specializations that allow them to grow professionally. It can also provide a sense of personal accomplishment, encouraging massage therapists to continue to build on their expertise and provide more services.
Take Your Practice To The Next Level
Earning an oncology massage certification can change your professional trajectory, approach to holistic healing, and ability to help cancer patients struggling.
If you’re considering an oncology massage certification, you’ll want to consider several factors. For example, to ensure your credits are viable, you’ll need to enroll in an NCBTMB-approved massage therapy program.
As an accredited massage school, CRSMT’s oncology massage certification course provides the foundational knowledge of oncology massage methods and techniques. Classes take place in a breathtaking, therapeutic environment with highly skilled faculty who are invested in massage therapists’ success.
Contact an admissions counselor to find out about the massage certification program and continuing education opportunities.
If this sounds like your preferred way of earning an oncology massage certification to advance your career, then learn more about CRSMT’s Oncology Massage Continuing Education Retreat, running from July 6-13, 2024.
