When Massage meets Cancer. Are you aware of the risks?

By: Maurizio Perna (IMA Chair Massage Silver medal winner 2024)

I am an oncology massage therapist whose work sits at the intersection of clinical awareness, safety, and human connection. I currently work as a complementary therapist with the Cedars CanSupport Program at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Royal Victoria Hospital, in Quebec, Canada, where I support individuals living with cancer—clients whose bodies are undergoing significant physiological changes due to both the disease and its treatments. In this context, massage is not routine care; it is highly adapted, informed, and intentional.

A central message in my work is that all massage therapists should understand the fundamentals of oncology massage—not necessarily to practice it, but to recognize when it is required. Cancer is increasingly present in clinical practice, and therapists will inevitably encounter clients who are in active treatment, in remission, or living with long-term effects. Without a foundational understanding of how cancer impacts the body—such as changes in blood values, immune suppression, tissue fragility, and clotting risks—a therapist cannot make safe or informed decisions.

However, foundational knowledge is not the same as clinical competence.
Oncology massage requires advanced training, critical thinking, and ongoing assessment. It demands the ability to interpret clinical information, adapt techniques in real time, and recognize when massage should be modified or avoided entirely. For this reason, I strongly emphasize that therapists who are not formally trained in oncology massage should not accept clients with active cancer. This position is not rooted in limitation, but in responsibility. Safety must always take precedence over intention.
In response to this need for clarity and structure within the profession, I developed the 4-hour Oncology Massage Introduction Master Class.

This introductory Master Class was designed to provide a realistic understanding of what oncology massage truly involves. It goes beyond technique, focusing on clinical reasoning, decision-making, and risk assessment. Therapists are guided through how to interpret blood values, understand the systemic effects of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, and appropriately adapt pressure, positioning, and overall approach. Students are also presented with case studies, offering a practical and applied learning experience.

In addition to the clinical components, the introductory Master Class also addresses the human and social dimensions of care. Therapists gain insight into how to navigate difficult situations with sensitivity and professionalism, respond appropriately to emotional moments, and understand the broader context in which cancer exists—including its impact on families and caregivers. This aspect of the training reinforces that oncology massage is not only about technical skill, but also about presence, communication, and ethical awareness.

The objective is not to create specialists out of every participant, but to elevate the standard of care across the profession and inspire therapists to pursue comprehensive oncology training. By clearly defining scope, limitations, and safe practice parameters, therapists develop the ability to make informed and responsible clinical decisions.

The Oncology Massage Master Class is currently available to therapists in the United States, including at the World Massage Festival in Cherokee, North Carolina (July 2026), and will also be offered in Rome, Italy (November 2026). Plans are underway to expand the program internationally, bringing this essential knowledge to a broader professional audience.

My work reflects a clear principle: in oncology massage, knowledge is not optional—it is essential. And the quality of that knowledge directly impacts the safety and well-being of every client treated.

Find Maurizio Perna on:

Instagram: muzio_montreal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muzio.co/

Website: Www.muzio.ca

GoRendezvous: gorendezvous.com/muzio
Class registration USA: https://worldmassagefestival.com/?page_id=42
Class registration ROME, Italy: https://championshipmassageassociation.com/two-worlds-union/#masterclass

The Below picture is from when Maurizio Perna participated in the final at the World Championship in Massage)

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