Our own Alicia Lingenfelter hosted an information table at the Seventh Annual Heritage at Towne Lake Auto Show on February 27th. Alicia provided free hand massages as well as spreading the word about the benefits of oncology massage. The event was held at Towne Lake Lodge, Cypress, Texas 19201 N. Canyon Lake Springs Drive.
For over 10 years we have done a job fair at our school that is open to all therapists and massage students. It is free to all attending and to the registered employers. This year we will welcome about 25 employers. To meet 25 employers in one afternoon is an incredible opportunity!
I love this event each year – every year it exceeds my expectations. I want to see every therapist in town come, at least just to celebrate the great demand there is for massage therapy and de-stressing in this world. We have the touch!
OMA Therapist, Peter Deckinga, gives a very informative presentation to the Neuropathy Alliance of Texas in 2016 regarding the use of massage therapy to improve neuropathy side effects. Please check out his video!
https://www.neuropathyalliancetx.org/-Massage_for_Neuropathy_.html
The use of oncology massage in fighting cancer is featured in the recent publication of CURE magazine. The article written by Maria Prato follows the journey of cancer survivor, Shelly Bain and how tapping into oncology massage helps her. We also hear from OMA’s Geri Ruane on the value of this work for other individuals fighting cancer.
Get your copy today! You can read the whole article at the link below;
http://www.curetoday.com/publications/cure/2015/fall-2015/a-touch-of-healing-massage-can-alleviate-symptoms-of-cancer-treatments
On Wednesday, September 2nd, OMA participated in “Staying Connected, 2015 Wellness Fair for ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas) Retirees.” It was held at the University of Texas JJ Pickle Research Center in Austin. This is the first year that OMA has been part of this event, which included information about wellness and health with hundreds of ERS retirees attending. OMA massage therapists and board members were able to talk to many people about oncology massage therapy and OMA’s services in the community.
On Thursday, June 18th, OMA participated in “Inside Out, 2015 Wellness Fair,” in downtown Austin. This is the third year that OMA has been part of the State’s event, which includes information about wellness, health and physical fitness with nearly 800 – 1,000 State employees attending.
OMA MTs: Shelli Lopes-Barnes, Pete Deckinga and Martha Paull
OMA’s oncology-trained massage therapists enjoyed networking with healthcare practitioners and State employees as they talked about oncology massage therapy and the services that OMA offers to cancer survivors and caregivers.
OMA MTs: Wendy Kamasaki, Martha Iglehart, Geri Ruane and Shelli Lopes-Barnes
The Cancer 180 Survivorship Symposium for Young Adults was held on Saturday, April 18th at the Thompson Conference Center on the University of Texas campus. It was put on by MD Anderson and Cancer Support Community Central Texas and had about 70 attendees.
This event travels around to different parts of Texas and this is their first time to be in the Austin area. Board members Yvonne Larue and Geri Ruane represented OMA; they talked with many participants who were interested in our services.
OMA therapist Mary Liebermann was invited by Casting for Recovery to be on staff at the annual Joshua Creek Resort Retreat in Boerne, TX. A past CfR participant and avid fly fisher, Mary had the privilege of providing chair massage for 14 breast cancer survivors going through various stages of their treatment or recovery.
The benefits and effects of massage on the participants were discussed along with how to locate and select a properly trained oncology massage therapist. CfR staff members also had the opportunity to receive a massage.
See the full article and video right here! Here’s a quick excerpt from the story:
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (KABC) — Getting a massage turned out to be a pleasant bonus in the midst of a grueling chemotherapy treatment for cancer patient Dora Dunn. But at first, she turned it down.
“They asked me if I wanted a massage. At first, I was like, spa? I don’t need that, I want to go home,” Dunn said.
The busy, stressed-out, 37-year-old mother of five was fighting an aggressive form of thyroid cancer. She felt she didn’t have the time for such a luxury.
“As soon as I did, I have to say, I went home relieved, happier, positive,” Dunn said.
Dr. David Kim of Levy Cancer Center says massage helps patients manage their experience with cancer.
I was going to write about starting radiation and all that goes with that. I was going to write about being scared but strong and standing on faith but then I read a poem from a book I’m reading called the Difference Maker by John C. Maxwell. I read this poem and it hit me in many ways but all of them beautiful. This poem says so much not only to a two time cancer survivor but to anyone that has a battle to fight and we all have one.
And together we stand at life’s crossroads
And view what we think is the end,
But God has a much bigger vision
And He tells us it’s only a bend.
For the road goes on and is smoother,
And the pause in the song is a rest.
And the part that’s unsung and unfinished
Is the sweetest and the best.
So rest and relax and grow stronger.
Let go and let God share your load,
Your work is not finished or ended,
You’ve just come to a bend in the road.
Helen Steiner Rice