“Listening is a creative force. Something quite wonderful occurs when we are listened to fully. We expand, ideas come to life and grow, we remember who we are. Some speak of this force as a creative fountain within us that springs forth; others call it the inner spirit, intelligence, true self. Whatever this force is called, it shrivels up when we are not listened to and it thrives when we are.” —Kay Lindahl

When they asked him why he [agreed to receive massage], he said, “... because she looked at me, right in the eyes, and I thought maybe I was supposed to be touched today.”   -Meg Robsahm

“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.”   ― Joseph Campbell

"Touch was never meant to be a luxury. It is a basic human need. It is an action that validates life and gives hope to both the receiver and the giver. The healing of touch is reciprocal."  –Irene Smith

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”   ― Aristotle

"Wonder is almost always possible.  Control may not be."    -Arthur Frank, At the Will of the Body

"We can be highly therapeutic simply by showing up, leaning forward and listening attentively."  -Ira Byock, MD

"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."  -Lily Tomlin

Welcome ~

Message from the Board of Directors:

Dear S4OM community,

You may have received an email from NCB regarding a PILOT oncology massage certification exam. Please know that this is being done in collaboration with CATA NYC and includes the ability to sit for the exam if you have taken a course offered by a S4OM Recognized Education Provider.

The S4OM Board of Directors have been in discussions with NCB for over a year about a specialty certification and were initially surprised when we recently first heard of the plans with CATA. In ongoing conversations with NCB, we have affirmed the intention to have an Oncology Massage Certification Exam that is based on a curriculum developed by S4OM. We have also affirmed that a S4OM task force that works on the curriculum will also have a hand in writing the exam questions.

In the meantime, this pilot certification exam for Oncology Massage is a start towards our ultimate goal of having a S4OM Oncology Massage certification exam. If anyone in the S4OM community chooses to take the pilot certification exam just announced, we would love to know your thoughts about it.

Please do not hesitate to ask the Board any questions that you may have or share any comments that you have about this. Emails can be sent to MK at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We hope to see you at the Summit, April 27-29, in Bloomington MN where certification will be among the many items discussed. 

 
Plan to join us at our 2018 Oncology Massage Healing Summit 
Opening the Circle, Expanding the Tribe
  
We are again returning to Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minnesota, April 27~29, 2018 for our gathering.
Please contact Summit co-chairs, Stacey Schultz and Julie Streeter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to volunteer at the Summit.
          For Scholarship information - Click Here. Please note that recipients have been chosen for this year.
          For Poster information - Click Here. Deadline for submission is April 1, 2018.
The Summit Planning Committee has been very busy putting together the plans for our next gathering.  We look forward to seeing you there!                                              
                                                                                         (click on image below to register)

NWScienceUniversityWebpage

"Opening the Circle, Expanding the Tribe" is the main theme of the 2018 Oncology Massage Healing Summit  held at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. Speakers from around the globe will be coming to share their wisdom with us.

S4OM is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization and gratefully appreciates any and all tax deductible donations.

 

 

Contact

  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • http://www.s4om.org

About Us

The Society for Oncology Massage (S4OM) exists to support and educate massage therapists, consumers, and health professionals about the value and specific considerations and applications of oncology massage.  When it comes to oncology massage we answer the questions, "What is it?"  "Why is it?" and "Where is it?".

Our Vision

To ease the journey through cancer

Our Mission

  • Support the safe delivery of massage to people who have been diagnosed with cancer
  • Promote an oncology massage education standard
  • Collaborate in research

If you have any questions about the website, please notify the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.