The Oncology Scar Specialist is a blended course, providing first class education in manual treatment for clients after oncology surgery and radiotherapy leaves scar tissue, fibrosis and adhesions. Learn techniques for Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS/cording) diaphragm release and rib mobilisations along with scar massage.
The Oncology Scar Specialist course explores all the basic theory on scars and common complications people may struggle with after a cancer surgery and radiotherapy and the specific application of scar massage and manual techniques for many common complications after cancer surgery and radiotherapy. Our flexible course program is designed to layer information, develop your skills and knowledge further with Understanding Scars: Advanced online theory and the Scar Therapy Practitioner. Together these courses layer in-depth theory and a broad range of practical skills to leave you with a comprehensive and wide range of knowledge and modalities to bring results when treating people with scars. Courses are designed to be taken in any order with our flexible learning structure, or can be used as stand-alone training, depending on your needs.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the benefits of scar treatment after cancer surgery and radiotherapy.
- List common complications and considerations for treating oncology clients.
- Give a holistic scar massage treatment to an oncology client.
- Use active and passive techniques for Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS/cording).
- Check your clients breathing and apply techniques to promote healthy diaphragm function and appreciate how deep breathing can contribute to a feeling of wellbeing, and promote lymphatic flow after cancer surgery.
- Deliver techniques to mobilise the ribs, chest and shoulder.
- Treat clients with capsular contracture, fat necrosis and apply techniques to the skin and fascia to reduce symptoms for clients with radiotherapy fibrosis.
- Help a client with self-scar care to promote scar healing and reduce common symptoms associated with cancer surgery and radiotherapy.
This comprehensive training program is designed to be delivered over 8+ weeks. Further details:
- Commence with pre-course self paced online theory (3-5 hours in bite-size sections depending on your learning style)
- Live Zoom lesson: Join your tutor and group before your in-person class (90 minutes)
- In-person training: Two full days (14 hours)
- Case study completion: Give two different clients two scar therapy treatments and complete the case study pro forma. Four weeks are allocated to complete the four treatments. (6 hours)
- Online self-paced technique review, observe two treatments for early and mature scar care to reinforce technique choices and provide support as you work through your case studies. (3 hours)
- Submit your case studies for review and tutor feedback.
- Live Zoom lesson: Join your tutor and group to discuss case-studies and ensure you have no outstanding questions (90 minutes)
Our course format has recently changed for our newly advertised 2025 courses. Private group courses not advertised online and courses outside the UK may not include a case study requirement or live Zoom session, see the individual course details for clarification.
This course can be taken as a stand alone course, or taken to advance your existing scar therapy skills within this specialist area. Ideally we recommend you also complete the Scar Therapy Practitioner to include inter-oral scar treatment and use silicone cupping for your oncology clients.
We include a variety of video demonstrations to support your practical skills development:
- Basic techniques: Scar massage, active and passive techniques for AWS/cording, diaphragm technique, traction technique, working around a stoma bag.
- DIEP Flap (autologous) breast reconstruction early healing
- DIEP Flap (autologous) breast reconstruction mature scar
- LAT Flap (autologous) breast reconstruction mature scar
- Mastectomy and lymphoedema
- Mastectomy mature scar and historic shoulder surgery for bone cancer
- DIEP Flap (autologous) breast reconstruction advanced treatment, mature scar
- Bowel cancer with stoma reversal and liver resection, mature scar
- Malignant melanoma and subsequent Flap surgery, mature scar
- Leiomyosarcoma on the femoral artery with Flap surgery and lymphoedema in the leg, mature scar
- Nephrectomy mature scar
- Radical neck dissection mature scar
- Deep Oscillation medical device demonstration.
You must have a qualification in a manual therapy at a minimum of level three and one years experience in your field of healthcare to book onto this course. Example: Massage therapy level three; Physiotherapy degree; Lymphoedema therapist; Occupational Therapist etc. Oncology massage is recommended for any soft tissue therapists and a basic understanding of cancer treatment, this course will not provide a stand alone oncology massage certification. If you do not have an existing qualification in a form of hands-on treatment and eligibility to gain professional insurance as a therapist with your existing qualifications, this course will not provide adequate training to work in private practice as a scar therapist.
It should be easy to add-on oncology scar therapy to your existing insurance. We recommend additional oncology massage training for massage therapists and other therapists new to working in oncology.
We provide additional resources to help you:
- Oncology Scar Specialist badge image for your website and marketing materials
- Early scar care patient information leaflet pdf
- Social media “Newly certified’ image
- Oncology Scar Specialist patient information leaflet pdf
- After Scar Therapy patient information leaflet pdf
- Invitation to list your business and join the Restore Scar Therapy Directory at www.restorescartherapy.com
This course can also be booked as a private group training for your therapy team or as a hosted course by a UK or international therapy school.
Our oncology specific theory is delivered with your busy schedule in mind, with video lessons that can be viewed in just 10-15 minutes with multiple choice quiz questions to reinforce the key facts. After completing the course materials therapists will be equipped with a wide range of manual techniques to treat clients who have undergone surgery and radiotherapy after a cancer diagnosis. Helping you deliver effective, personalised care for oncology clients.
Easy to fit this into your schedule
- Self-paced online learning two weeks before your in-person training delivered in short easy to follow bite-size lessons (around 10 minutes each).
- We maximise your time, using the online training portal to teach theory in advance of your in-person learning.
- In-person training time is focused on practical skills and interactive discussions.
- Supervised class clinic sessions enable you to treat members of the public under expert guidance.
- Blended learning avoids lecture style delivery.
- Re-visit the online portal as your ongoing resource, providing technique and treatment video demonstrations.
- Review or revise important theory online if needed.
Our courses can be taken in any order, designed to layer knowledge and skills. On each course you will learn new practical techniques. You do not need to have completed any other scar therapy course before booking your Oncology Scar Specialist training.
Professional Development certificate included. Re-certification training NOT required. Invitation to join our global ‘Find a scar therapist’ directory.
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Limited places available, contact us at admin@restoretherapy.co.uk if your preferred dates are fully booked and you wish to be added to the waiting list and bring the benefits of these skills to your clients.
Previous attendees comments from this course:
“Without a doubt the best CPD course I have ever done (in 8 years). Emma’s knowledge & expertise is clear & the training is pitched perfectly to engage & enthuse. Having the clinical sessions gives so much confidence & the results from the techniques we were shown was amazing.”
“Emma encouraged us all, from varied therapy backgrounds, to blend her techniques into our everyday practice which was such a refreshing approach. I will certainly train again with Emma & strongly encourage anyone interested in this fascinating area to attend this course.”
“Great training, it was good to get plenty of hands on experience to boost confidence in the skills.”
“Loved every second of this course. Claire (Stone) made it so much fun.”
