Spa & Therapist Finder

Undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment is often the time when extra indulgence and pampering is required the most. However, post-diagnosis, it becomes more difficult to find salons and spas who offer treatments, as therapists require specialist training.

Find therapists offering Jennifer Young Treatments. Each listed therapist has completed specialist training at The Jennifer Young Training School, meeting and exceeding the industry standards.

Treat yourself, or someone you love, to a luxurious spa treatment using Jennifer Young's Beauty Despite Cancer products. Search in the map below and contact the salon or spa directly to book. Remember to check with the spa in advance that trained therapists will be present on the day you intend to visit.

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Should cancer patients have massages?

The short answer to this question is yes. 

The longer answer is also yes, but it’s important that you find a massage that is tailored to your needs by an appropriately trained therapist.

This helps that ensure your treatment provides comfort and support physically and mentally, and uses natural, effective skincare products.

When therapists have specialist training, they’re able to do exactly that, and as a result, massage is shown to provide lots of benefits to cancer patients.

 

What about Reflexology treatments, Manicures and Pedicures?

Absolutely, it’s not just massage that offers lots of benefits to cancer patients. Many touch treatments are both enjoyable as well as beneficial to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, including reflexology, facials, manicures and pedicures. 

Once again however, it’s important to find a therapist with specialist training 

who can tailor treatments to individual needs, avoid risk, and deliver indulgent, nurturing treatments.

 

How do I know when a therapist or spa is safe for cancer patients?

For a treatment to be suitable for those affected by cancer, without minimising the efficacy or indulgence experienced, therapists should undergo accredited training which meets and exceeds the industry requirements outlined by the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC).

Most spas will highlight on their website when they have the appropriate training and products to support cancer patients. However, the standard of oncology touch therapy training can vary across spa locations, so it is important to check that SATCC standards are being met.

Checking is simple and can be done by consulting the above Spa & Therapist Finder. This is a list of all therapists with dedicated training from SATCC board member, Jennifer Young. The therapists are able to adapt treatments to individual needs, to deliver a restorative, nurturing treatment.

If a spa does not have the appropriate training then they will usually say that they can’t offer you a treatment. While that can be upsetting, it’s because they do not have the knowledge to make sure they are acting in your best interests and they are not insured to treat you. 

While some people are tempted not to mention their cancer diagnosis or treatment, it’s really not recommended that you keep this information from your therapist.

After all, we all want you to have the best and most beneficial experience possible. 

 

Why do some spas turn away cancer patients?

Spas will turn cancer patients away if they do not have the appropriate training in place to tailor treatments to individual needs. 

It can be upsetting to hear, but it’s because they don’t want to cause any discomfort or harm. Foundational spa industry training means that spas and therapists can’t get the insurance they need to treat cancer patients. 

Fortunately, more and more spas and spa therapists are investing in specialist training to support cancer patients. It’s our mission to change the industry standards to make sure no-one is turned away because of a lack of training and it is easier than ever to find a therapist with appropriate training.

 

Do massages spread cancer cells?

This is a popular theory that has permeated through the spa industry over the years, but there is no clinical evidence to suggest that massage spreads cancer cells through the body.

 

What are the benefits of massage for cancer patients?

Massage is known to provide lots of benefits for everyone. If you’ve had one before, you will know that it can be a joyful, restorative experience. However, when you’re going through something big, like cancer or cancer treatment, those benefits can be even more important. Most people we work with talk about how nice it is to experience gentle, attentive touch at a time when they’re having, or have recently had, so much medical treatment. 

Studies also show that there are tangible short- and long-term benefits:

Short-term benefits

• Reduced anxiety, depressed mood and anger
• Increased vigour
• Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels
• Improved sleep quality
• Improved quality of life
• Reduced perception of pain, nausea and increased relaxation
• Pain intensity, pulse rate, and respiratory rate significantly reduced immediately after the massages
• Reduced anxiety, depression, general fatigue, motivation fatigue, and emotional fatigue
• Reduced heart rate and lower blood pressure
• Decrease in physical discomfort
• The effect of massage on mood disturbances was greater when treated continuously by the same therapist

Long-term benefits

 

• Reduced depression and hostility
• Increased urinary dopamine and serotonin values
• Increased natural killer cell number and lymphocytes in breast cancer patients

• Reduced mood disturbances and perceived stress levels

What is oncology massage?

Oncology massage is a form of massage treatment that can be adapted to individual needs. While it can be used on anyone, it’s particularly beneficial for cancer patients because of its gentle, yet effective, approach and its ability to be adapted with your changing needs physically and emotionally, over the course of your cancer treatment.

 

Why is massage contraindicated for cancer?

Traditional massage is contraindicated for cancer for four main reasons:

1. Pressure: Cancer patients often experience sensitivity, loss of body mass and an increased capacity for bruising, especially during particular cancer treatments like chemotherapy. For that reason it’s important that massage movements are gentle.
2. Adaptability: Similarly, as cancer presents differently in different people and the needs of individuals can change over the course of their cancer journey or treatment, it’s important for therapists to be able to adapt treatment protocols to individual needs. 
3. Products: Cancer treatments in particular can cause a variety of sensitivities ranging from nausea to painfully dry skin, making you more likely to have adverse reactions to product ingredients. For that reason, it’s important that therapists know which products are appropriate to use at different stages of cancer and cancer treatment to minimise the chances of a reaction.
4. Infection: Infection is one of the biggest areas of concern for therapists treating a vulnerable client. It is particularly important to be able to manage infection control when someone is undergoing chemotherapy, which compromises the immune system. While therapists are always careful about risk management, there are additional protocols that should be taken into consideration when taking care of someone experiencing cancer treatment.This is learned as part of specialist training in oncology touch treatments.

This information may sound scary, but finding a therapist who has experienced specialist training, means you will be safely welcomed for a rejuvenating treatment.

 

What is the best massage for cancer patients?

The best massage for a cancer patient is one that’s:

1. Tailored to the individual 
2. Delivered by a specially trained therapist

As every individual is unique, the best massage or treatment for them, is unique to their needs. Most of us have different needs at different times, and the same applies when you’re experiencing cancer and cancer treatment. 

So, when you find a therapist you like, make sure you talk to them before your treatment about what you are experiencing at that time (perhaps it’s trouble sleeping, perhaps it’s stress or maybe it’s nausea, or maybe there's an area on your body that you would prefer them to avoid). They will then adapt your treatment to help support you.visit a therapist who is oncology trained, you can usually have a massage at any stage of your cancer treatment, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

 

Is it ok to get a massage while on chemotherapy or radiotherapy?

As long as you visit a therapist who is oncology trained, you can usually have a massage at any stage of your cancer treatment, including chemotherapy or radiotherapy. 

It may be that your therapist will adapt a treatment to avoid radiotherapy sites, or you might not feel up to having a massage in the days surrounding your cancer treatment. The crucial thing is that it’s very much about you and your individual requirements. If you’re feeling very anxious or unsure, speak to your doctor and phone your therapist before your planned visit to chat about what is best for you.

 

How long after cancer treatment can I get a massage?

Jennifer Young Therapists are trained to work with those affected by cancer, no matter what stage they're in. Many of our therapists work on oncology wards delivering therapies to those who are in treatment, helping to relieve the boredom of chemotherapy. Others can be found in hospices and clinical complementary health rooms. Jennifer Young Therapies can also be found in many of the world’s leading spas as well as in clinics, rooms and salons. Some of our therapists offer a mobile service. We will give you the same specialist loving care if you were diagnosed yesterday or 20 years ago. All of our therapies are adapted to meet your needs. There will be times when a touch therapy is not appropriate but they are very few and far between.

 

What can I do if there are no Jennifer Young therapists in my area?

The Jennifer Young Training School is open to all therapists who want to learn how to perform oncology treatments safely. Visit your local salon or spa and ask if it is possible for them to complete oncology touch training at JenniferYoungTraining.com, so that you and other patients can book a treatment with them. All the information they need is available on that website, and we would be happy to help them with any questions or queries they may have.

New therapists are added to our Spa & Therapist Finder at the end of every month. Check back on the first day of each month to see who has been added.

 

I'm a therapist who wants to welcome those living with or beyond cancer, what can I do?

All spas and therapists are welcome to enrol at The Jennifer Young Training School, if they meet the relevant prerequisites. Upon completion of a course, you will:

• Be able to welcome those affected by cancer appropriately and be able to gain the insurance needed to do so.
• Gain certification from a trusted name in the cancer community.
• Graduate from a course which meets and exceeds the industry standards outlined by the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) of which Jennifer Young is a board member.
• Graduate from a course accredited by the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).
• Have the opportunity to be added to our Spa & Therapist Finder, hosted on a website with a reach of around 250,000 people per month.
• Have experience as part of your training in welcoming those affected by cancer confidently and appropriately, delivering treatments suitable for their needs.
• Have access to specialist product guidance and marketing materials, should you wish to access it.

Learn more at JenniferYoungTraining.com. 

 

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