massage for cancer patients

[sundancer]

Hi, i have been a massage therapist for 19 years but recently have felt I want to give a little time voluntary to a local hospice . My mother in law died of cancer 5 years ago and she enjoyed having a hand and arm massage when she was very poorly at the end of her life and found it soothed her.
I approached a local hospice who were delighted at my offer but I have to say im now a little nervous ! Can anyone give me a little advice and tips from experience? I know the massage will need to be very light and adapted to the patient but I would be interested to hear from anyone who has done this type f therapy. Thanks
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[pinkangel]

Congratulations on being accepted into the hospice. You will be great!!

I'm pretty sure that the hospice will give you specific training around this sundancer. They usually do

In my experience there are usually specific protocols to adhere to which cover the oils allowed, areas of massage, length of massage duration etc.
I've worked with cancer patients in a few places and they all had differing protocols so it's hard to give general advice.

[sundancer]

Thank you Pinkangel. They have said 20mins and the nurse will brief me as to whether they can sit or lie down for treatment. Im quite an emotional person so i hope i can handle it okay too.

[Redduck]

Hiya Sundancer
As Pinkangel says a lot of what you do will be guided by the hospice. Many of them have oils they allow and don't allow. When I started at the hospice I'm at they briefed me before each person to start with. If in doubt just ask.

There are some CPD courses around that guide you further. I did mine at the Christie in Manchester but i'm sure there are others too. I found them really useful as they answered lots of questions and gave me more confidence that I was doing the right thing.

You'll be fabulous and whilst it can be very sad it is also very rewarding.

Good luck.

[Jabba The Hut]

Sundancer - if they offer you training, take the opportunity. Oncology massage is quite different from standard holistic massage and also, if you are already feeling a bit 'emotional' about taking on this work, ask if the hospice can get you access to a compassionate communication course - they are amazing. I've been working with cancer patients for years, and each and every one is different. Initially, I did find I took my work home with me, but nowadays not so much.

[holisticbabe]

im very surprised at this actually, as Jabba says oncology massage is very different. The only reason I am aware of this is my gran was in a marie currie center and then my dad got cancer also so I like yourself offered to volunteer some time but it wasnt possible for me to do it although I am qualified and have my own insurance which covers me to 1 million they needed me to have oncology massage training which they do not provide and insurance up to 5 million....

I hope it works out for you, its such a privilage to be able to do it in someone hrs of need :-)

[JoJo2504]

It's wonderful I have been volunteer massage therapist for about 18 months now, I enjoy it so much, I mainly do Reflexology, but never had oncology training

[sundancer]

Thankyou everyone for your encouraging words, there are no courses at this hospice although intially i did volunteer at Iain Rennie but because you visit them at home they did want to send me on several courses. It also involved meetings once a month with the nurses and it became apparent it would take alot of my time up. I work from home and cant afford to give more than one day a month at the moment but im hoping that ill enjoy it and as long as i stay busy at home maybe ill be able to give the hospice more.

[stephen jeffrey]

Hi Sundancer, I hope you find the experience very rewarding, on the paperwork side, you may also need a criminal record check which may take a couple of months dependant on the police force contacted. This process may be speeded up now that it can be done on line.

[sundancer]

I have had a CRB check as i help at my childrens school is that the same thing ?

[Energylz]

Unfortunately CRB checks are not very transferrable. Just because you've had a CRB check at one place of work doesn't mean that the other place of work will take that as being OK. They would need to carry out their own CRB check, or ask you to submit for a current CRB check at your own cost, depending on how they operate. Best thing is to ask them and see what they require.

All Love and Reiki Hugs

[Footsie01]

Hi Sundancer, I volunteer once a fortnight at my local cancer unit, in fact thats where I've been today. I offer reflexology and massage.

Before I started I spent a morning with a fellow volunteer and shadowed her which really helped with the first day nerves Like Redduck I also have been to the Christie where I did an adapted reflexology course, it was following the course that I decided to volunteer.

My advice is to check that the client is very comfortable, make sure you know if they have any areas to avoid (pic lines, cannulars etc) and then give a good, gentle massage - make sure your client knows to speak up if the pressure isn't comfortable for them and that they know it isn't supposed to hurt!

There is a really good book called Medicine Hands which is about treatments for cancer patients which I found really useful. Good Luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Tracey

[sundancer]

Thankyou ive found the book on amazon and ill get that. Just want to do the best i can for the patients without looking nervous!

[Twohoots]

I have been looking for courses specifically in massaging cancer patients but am not finding very much.

[sundancer]

Hi just to update you all that I have really enjoyed my work at the hospice. It is very rewarding and not as emotionally draining as i thought it would be. I would urge anyone thinking of doing this to go for it! I bought a book Medicine Hands which has been invaluable but also the nurses there are very supportive and if im not sure on a patient or therapy they are so happy to advise me.

[apparentlyblue]

Thanks for updating sundancer. I have an meeting at my local hospice to discuss the possibility of volunteering in two days time. I have a workshop in oncology massage lined up for the end of June and think I'll wait until I've done that as I won't feel confident enough beforehand. I am worried about the emotional side of things but not nearly as much as I am doing something wrong!

It's good to see someone else is in the same position and that it's working out well for them