massagementor massagementor today’s O N C Ochallenges LO GY M A S S AG E
My immediate response to the therapist we are going to have to earn the trust to feel what is happening underneath was to ask why she was treating this your hands, to be led by the tissue and of the medical professionals and this client in the first place, she lacked respond to it, not force your way through will come as a result of well-informed the training that would enable her to in an unthinking way, but to ‘melt’ into therapists offering a service that is deliver a safe session? One of the first the soft tissue in a considered mannner. based on evidence and will therefore be things I teach all therapists, if there is This form of massage is not exclusive to something the medical profession can a lack of knowledge then any treatment Oncology, but it is less demanding on understand. This does not mean that becomes a contraindication, you don’t those who are suffering with cancer or anecdotal evidence is without value but know what you don’t know! The above any condition that is placing a greater we must be better informed to make our question demonstrates exactly that. The stress on the body’s systems, the claims and until then, massage needs to Doctor is correct, the drugs wouldn’t intention of this approach is to assist be treated with caution before it is part of cause the swelling, the removal of the client’s recovery rather than causing an integrative cancer treatment approach. lymph nodes can, surgery can, and the them to recover from the massage. We have a lot to offer and recently inappropriate touch of a therapist can. In both cases above I have strongly in the media there have been some Lymphatic massage is something suggested that the therapist refrain studies about the value of touch and date about all the current policies, procedures. I cannot say this for every PA, but I therapists are eager to understand, when from delivering a massage and to refer how that affects our health, this is do know that those sitting as board members of the GCMT (The General Council Susan’s first love is dance, it comes to cancer it is important to the client to a certified therapist. Please significant and there are some studies of Massage Therapies) played a significant role in getting information out to all their sport, anything to do with work safely with both the cardiovascular free to go to my website which has a being conducted now that will further members. the joyfeel of movement. She and lymphatic system to achieve a tab called ‘oncology massage therapist demonstrate the importance of touch. I was heartened to see that so many therapists joined in on the conversation, trained as a nurse in Canada better In response directory’ find someone in your have several how the outcome. profession started talkingtoasthis a unified body, Iand how we gotarticles behind on ourmy website but soon left theto profession when shearea. I am putting together awith course that You also have consider theainsurance aboutwith thisinfluence. subject, including professional associations, GCMT emerged as a body It is now other came to the UK as to she wanted deeper nottoonly address thein lymphatic side, are youher covered if youFor aremany working about oncology massage connection upwill to us support our PA’s their efforts to petitionperspectives the government to recognise with clients. question, it will address the prevention with a pathology that you have not that would better explain this. the value of higher education within the profession. years she worked in both health and of So, lymphoedema, the20+ appropriate So to dispel myths about what can youand do? address The goodstages news is, the more education andsome experience fitness,received teaching classestraining a weekfor, a you have the easier it will for you towith re-establish yourself. Formassage, those therapists GP referral schemes. 0-1. However, if you arebeworking condition that requires a greater She depth oncology it is neither light, and running that to the profession, it issuggest important that youfluffy have or a niche, a specialism make better allwinging her fullare onnew lymphoedema I would knowledge, or areuse youof just it insubstantial, it addresses thewantedofto that places you in a position of greater Your expert skills will client establish which blindly? led her to retrain as care a more comprehensive course thatvalue. is and working Please do take needs of the andyou how the tissue knowledge firmly andover increase the need forof your services. Massage and Softbe taught a longer period time. of yourself, but justRemedial as importantly responds, the most descriptive word I a Sports IMany want to leave you with thoughts of encouragement; we all know how Tissue Therapist. Currently she is the of my medical colleagues would mindful of your client and their safety. use when teaching this method is ‘melt’, important massage is and the thought of a future without it is daunting, both for director of NLSSM and specialises in love to incorporate massage as part of our clients and ourselves as professionals. I cannot see massage stopping; whilst teaching Oncology Massage. She is the their integrated approach to cancer we may have to improvise and adapt, we will certainly survive. author of Sports Massage: Hands on treatment but are rightfully wary of the S U S A N F I N D L AY Guide for Therapists and is the Sports quality of training or lack thereof and I Susan’s first love is dance, sport, anything to feature do with writer the joy for of movement. Massage Massage She agree with them, there are many courses trained as a nurse in Canada but soon left the profession whenher she time came as to the World. She volunteers a UK being taught that are not sufficient and as she wanted a deeper connection with her clients. For many years she worked board member of GCMT. References aren’t taught byThe well-seasoned therapists in both- Office healthFor and fitness, taeaching 20+ classes a week and running GP referral “Coronavirus And Impact On Output In The UK Economy or educators, as aOns.Gov.Uk, result the delivery schemes. She wanted to make better ofjoin all her which led her to Youuse can herknowledge on Massage Mondays National Statistics”. 2020, https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/ of practical skills and knowledge are retrain as a Sports Massage and Remedial Soft Tissue Therapist. Currently she is for free weekly massage videos grossdomesticproductgdp/articles the director of NLSSM and specialises in teaching Oncology Massage. She is the questionable. Alongside this, therapists www.susanfindlay.co.uk coronavirusandtheimpactonoutputintheukeconomy/june2020#:~:text=It%20 author of Sports Massage: Hands on Guide for Therapists and is the Sports Massage are making unsupported claims about is%20clear%2C%20that%20the,the%20largest%20recession%20on%20 feature writer for Massage World. She volunteers her time as a board member the benefits of massage, a scary concept record.&text=Furthermore%2C%20Quarter%202%202020%20is,downturn%of GCMT. because they are not evidence based, so 20of%202008%20to%202009. “Set A the Business”. GOV.UK, 2020, https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business. whoUp can medical professionals trust? You can join her on Massage Mondays for free weekly massage videos Hellicar, Lauren. “Coronavirus: What Support Maybe we will be trusted as a profession Is Available For Small Businesses And www.susanfindlay.co.uk The Self-Employed?”. Simplybusiness.Co.Uk, 2020, https://www.simplybusiness. when our knowledge matches what co.uk/knowledge/articles/2020/06/coronavirus-support-for-small-business/. the research reveals. As a profession
Covid-19 Protocols
10
Issue 110 2020