Continuing to learn
- Janet Penny
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
2026 Oncology Massage Courses are open for registration
Introduction to Oncology Massage
Ottawa, Halifax, Kelowna, Vancouver
Oncology Massage Advanced Skills
Halifax, Kelowna, Vancouver
In the world of therapeutic care, few areas require the skill, sensitivity, and evidence-informed practice that oncology massage requires. Oncology Massage Canada provides education for massage therapists who want to be ready to offer both restorative and rehabilitative massage for their next client who has been impacted by cancer treatments.
Introduction to Oncology Massage
Who is this for?
This foundational course is perfect for massage therapists who want to be prepared to work with any client, with any type of cancer, at any stage of treatment. The core knowledge presented creates a framework upon which therapists can build a treatment based on critical thinking and a big-picture awareness of what their client is experiencing.
What You’ll Learn
Introduction to Oncology Massage lays the groundwork for safe, client-centered oncology massage practice by covering:
Cancer fundamentals: A clear overview of common treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) with both their physical and emotional effects
Contraindications and precautions: How to assess when to proceed with massage, when to modify, and when to defer or refer. This includes practical guidelines for common complications like lymphedema, thrombosis risk, and bone metastases.
Therapeutic relationship: Exploring how to provide care to our clients without fatigue and burn-out.
Adapted approaches: Gentle, evidence-informed approaches to restorative massage that reduce symptom burden without exacerbating risk.
This course provides the confidence and competence to enter this space ethically and safely.
Oncology Massage: Advanced Skills
Who is this for?
This course is designed for therapists who have already completed an introductory oncology massage training and want to deepen their clinical expertise to provide rehabilitative treatments.
What You’ll learn
Building on foundational knowledge, the Advanced Skills course focuses on:
Shared decision making: Enhance the therapeutic relationship with the skills to work collaboratively with your client
Trauma-informed care: Introduction to bringing a trauma-informed approach to massage
Approaches for: Working with scar tissue, radiation fibrosis, neuropathy and pain
Lymphatic drainage: Address edema, pain, scar tissue and radiation fibrosis with foundational lymphatic drainage techniques
This course elevates confidence in providing rehabilitative massage treatments for people living with the side effects of cancer treatment.
What Sets These Courses Apart
Both courses reflect current research and clinical best practices, ensuring therapists are informed—not just trained.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re beginning your journey into oncology massage or deepening your practice, Oncology Massage Canada offers a thoughtful, structured, and compassionate curriculum. These courses are designed to create critically-thinking, evidence informed therapists who are prepared to confidently work with any presentation, and to know when it is safest to refer out.
Visit Oncology Massage Canada training page and scroll down to see 2026 course offerings.
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