Susan Shipton, RMT
Teaching & Mentoring
Susan Shipton has been an educator for many years, offering continuing education for RMTs and other health professionals via:
-
presentations and webinars
-
online clinical coaching and mentoring
-
NEW! online course on Oncology Massage
Oncology Massage
An online course for RMTs
Did you know that 2 in 5 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime?
Do you feel confident and comfortable offering massage to someone following a cancer diagnosis?
Are you familiar with the side effects of cancer treatment, and how massage therapy can help?
Join me for this 3-part/6-hour online course on oncology massage!
Dates: Three Monday evenings in early 2024
Part 1: January 22, 2024
Part 2: January 29, 2024
Part 3: February 5, 2024
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm EST
Where: Zoom (recordings will briefly be available to registrants)
Cost: Early Bird Pricing $299 + HST (until December 15, 2023)
Regular Pricing $345 + HST
Space is limited!
Drawing on current research and over a decade of extensive experience, Susan presents valuable information for massage therapists on how to plan and deliver safe and effective treatments to help alleviate complications related to cancer treatment. Susan is an engaging and lively presenter passionate about sharing how massage therapy should be part of cancer care. This course will be delivered via Zoom and consist of visual presentations, short group work, and interactive discussions.
Course Outline (subject to change)
Part 1:
Pathophysiology of cancer and metastasis
Cancer-massage myths
Common cancer treatments and their side effects (surgery, chemo-induced peripheral neuropathy, nausea, radiation fibrosis, fatigue)
Part 2:
Common cancer treatments and their side effects, continued (cancer-related pain, lymphedema, anxiety, depression)
Psycho-emotional experience of cancer, for the patient and therapist
Palliative massage
Part 3:
Focus on Breast Cancer:
surgical options
common complications, such as cording/axillary web syndrome, capsular contracture, fat necrosis
Learning Objectives
-
Learn what cancer is and how metastasis occurs
-
Examine myths around massage and cancer
-
Discover what intake questions to ask and how to plan safe and beneficial massage therapy for someone following a cancer diagnosis
-
Become familiar with common treatments for cancer and their side effects
-
Learn how to adapt and apply your massage therapy skills to alleviate complications to cancer treatment, including those unique to breast cancer
-
Understand the potential psycho-emotional effects of cancer treatment
-
Appreciate the value of massage therapy in end-of-life care
-
Discuss self-care for RMTs
Space is limited!
Susan Shipton, RMT, CDT, MClSC
Susan has been a registered massage therapist in Toronto since 2012 after graduating from Sutherland-Chan School. She knew as a student that she wanted to work with people with cancer and was first introduced to this rewarding field in the post-operative breast massage clinic at the school. In 2015, she became a Vodder-certified combined decongestive therapist trained in managing lymphedema, a common complication to cancer treatment, through manual lymph drainage, compression bandaging, and other means. She has maintained her certification by completing a three-day review course every two years. For eight years, she was part of the oncology team at a well-established cancer rebab clinic in Toronto, where she successfully treated a great volume of patients with different types of cancer and a variety of complications and experiences. In 2021, Susan completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Health Care Practice – Interprofessional Pain Management from Western University. She has written articles on breast cancer, trauma-informed care, and compassion fatigue for Massage Therapy Today and presented on cancer-related pain and interprofessional pain management at the RMTAO 2023 Education Conference. During her previous career in book publishing, Susan was an instructor for seven years in the publishing program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
Questions? Please Email Susan to discuss.

Clinical Coaching & Mentoring
One-on-one online mentoring for RMTs looking for guidance with complex clinical cases, help evaluating current research, and suggestions on how to implement best practices in the arenas of general massage, cancer care, lymphedema and swelling, and aspects of pain management. Sessions are one-hour in length and are tailor-made for your needs. Please email Susan to discuss further.

Presentations & Webinars
Susan enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with other health professionals based on a foundation of current research. She has presented live and online on topics including massage and cancer, lymphedema management, and aspects of pain. In June 2023, she appeared twice in the program at the RMTAO Education Conference. Enquiries may be emailed to Susan.
