Cancer and the Medically Frail Client

This Two-Day IN-PERSON, HANDS- ON course is approved for 16 CEUs for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers.*

Early Bird Tuition: Save $75 through 5/31/26! From 6/1-7/31/26: $299; from 8/1-8/31/26: $325. Full price from 9/1/26 on.

LIMITED SEATS! If this class is SOLD OUT, please contact Heidi at the school—(973) 808-1666. We will maintain a Waiting List; more seats may be added.

This course will focus on people with cancer, and cover the following topics: history of cancer and treatments, cancer growth and staging, side effects of treatments, pressure/positioning/site concerns. Discussion of hospital culture, medication classifications. doctor orders and referrals, charting, documentation and medical abbreviations. Hands-on work includes: Upper body, lower body, abdomen, back, side-lying, gloved massage and a full session that considers all accommodation needs.

This comprehensive course will cover:

• the history of cancer and treatments
• cancer cell growth and phases of cancer
• how to adjust bodywork for site, position and pressure considerations
• the side effects of cancer treatments
• various reasons for hospitalization, and considerations for working in a hospital or skilled nursing facility
• how this type of massage session differs from others, including required referrals and how to document the session
• the effect on the body of various common medications
• how to read a medical chart, including the common medical abbreviations
• how hospice operates for palliative clients.

Students will demonstrate modified bodywork for upper body, lower body, full body, side-lying, massaging with gloves and avoiding medical site obstacles.

Students should dress comfortably and bring a set of twin sheets to cover a massage table and drape as needed. 

*The course is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) for all states but New York, Approved Provider: Lucille Zirpoli, AP #1002985.

About the Instructors: Lucille Zirpoli, LMT and Joanna Mosto Paganotti, LMT

Since 2008, Lucille (Luci) Zirpoli has been massaging clients in many areas and with various conditions. For 16 years she has been teaching in massage programs along with continuing ed classes. In addition, she was the Lead Massage Therapist with a NJ hospice company for a decade. Her education includes oncology certification, personal training and the NY program which included Asian bodywork. Her passion lies in working with people with serious medical conditions, and her specialties include manual lymphatic drainage, pregnancy and foot reflexology.

If the class is large, there will be a second instructor—Joanna Mosto Paganotti, LMT

Joanna Mosto Paganotti has been a massage therapist since 2007, which, continues down a path she began in 2001 when she became a Reiki practitioner and started her study of medicinal plants. She maintains a private practice, Balance Massage and Energy Healing, LLC and in 2009 began teaching massage and bodywork as well as energy work and meditation. From 2009 to 2017, she was a Massage and Bodywork Instructor at Institute for Therapeutic Massage and worked in 2013 as a Bodywork Instructor and Clinic Supervisor at Fortis Institute.

She has expanded her knowledge of mind-body work, studying CranioSacral Therapy with the Upledger Institute, Past Life Regression with Brian Weiss, Access Bars with Access Consciousness, Pre and Post Natal massage with Cheryl Chapman and most recently, the Spurgeon Method™ of Breast Massage Levels 1 and 2 with Sally Spurgeon. Joanna believes that bodywork and energy work should not be a luxury but rather a step on your path towards well-being.