oncology massage, hospice care, lymphedema therapy
Meet Virginia
Virginia L Vickers, LMT, CLT
Oncology Massage
Hospice Massage
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
Reflexology
My Colleague, Virginia Murphy, sees clients with more serious medical conditions. As an Oncology Therapist and Lymphedema Specialist she has experience with the most complex cases.
She sees clients from her nearby Hanover office, approximately 30 minutes from here, and seasonally she works alongside me on Martha's Vineyard.
Compassionate Care Through Touch
The simple and timeless act of "laying on of hands" is for me what this is all about and where the healing occurs. There is something so profoundly sacred in this exchange. It does not need to be proven nor researched. I trust this process and I am beyond fortunate and humbled to call this my work.
Virginia is dedicated to seeing massage therapy as a complementary approach to healing through the power of safe and compassionate touch.
Virginia is a board certified massage therapist through the NCBTMB and a certified lymphedema therapist (Vodder Method). Additionally, she has advanced training in Oncology Massage through Tracy Walton and Hospice Massage through Irene Smith.
She is a member of, and a preferred practitioner with the Society for Oncology Massage, as well as a partnering practitioner for Lucy's Love Bus; a charitable trust which provides free integrative therapies to children with cancer.
She has worked for and with patients at Care Dimensions (formerly Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston and Tufts Floating Hospital for Children, She also sees clients at Be Well Studios in Scituate Harbor, where she is Program Director for Oncology Care.
Virginia is a graduate of Cortiva Institute and the New England Institute of Reflexology.
"Touch was never meant to be a luxury. It is a basic human need. It is an action that validates life and gives hope both to the receiver and the giver." ~ Irene Smith
Virginia's work has a profound impact on all of those with whom she interacts. Whether it is seeing patients through their end of life or providing compassionate touch to pediatric or adults patients through their most trying and vulnerable times, her presence in their lives is difficult to measure. Virginia's patients are profoundly grateful and remain deeply moved by her work - more so than any other Massage Therapist I have known.
Oncology Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage appointments are available on Wednesdays and also at specially arranged times during the week. Please call or email for more information.
Licensed - Commonwealth of MA LMT
Certified - Lymphedema Therapist
Certified - Oncology Therapist
Certified - Reflexology Therapist
Oncology Care
Oncology care via integrative therapies is widely recognized and implemented to offset side effects caused by chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. The many benefits of Oncology Massage and other Holistic Bodywork treatments such as Reflexology, Manual Lymphatic Drainage include but are not limited to:
• Strengthens Bones and Muscles
• Ease Symptoms of Nausea
• Reduce Tension / Discomfort
• Increase Energy
• Stimulates Immune System
• Improve Sleep Patterns/Restfulness
• Help to Manage Fear / Anxiety
• Improves Balance
• Builds Insight
• Actively participates in Healing Process
Oncology Massage
What Is Oncology Massage?
Oncology Massage is a healing modality used as a complementary therapy in clinical and integrative care settings. Many hospitals, clinics, and cancer or wellness centers increasingly recognize the power of touch to promote health and well-being to their patients. Recent research is creating a new understanding of those benefits for people of all ages, from patients undergoing treatment for complex medical conditions to others simply wanting to alleviate stress.
Comfort, stress reduction and relaxation are some benefits of an oncology massage session. Whatever the specific goals, oncolgy massage is always safe. Administered with a mix of light to moderate pressure, it can be tailored to suit your needs.
30 Minutes $ 95
60 Minutes $150
90 Minutes $185
Other times on request
Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage or MLD is not just for patients with Lymphadema. MLD is specialized form of soft tissue mobilization that gently assists the lymphatic system in maintaining the body’s fluid balance, blood circulation, and immune mechanisms. The system’s network of vessels and nodes contains lymph, a mixture of water, proteins, waste products, and other remnants of cell metabolism. Lymph nodes, which filter out the debris, are found throughout the body, with especially large groups of them in the neck, axilla, and groin. These major collections of lymph nodes ensure that the lymph passes through as many nodes as possible before it returns to the circulatory system.
During a lymph drainage session, a certified, specially-trained therapist uses a series of motions over the client’s body. The light rhythmic movements, applied without oil, stimulate the lymphatic system without compressing the vessels – allowing lymph to move through the tissues and lymph nodes.
60 Minutes $190
Weekends $250
Other times on request
Breast Massage
Breast and chest massage can relieve swelling and help support circulation of both blood and lymph in breast tissue, which is useful in keeping breasts healthy.
It can be incorporated into any wellness massage, however for mastectomy patients this can be especially useful in minimizing scarring. This can be a profoundly powerful way for a woman to feel whole and connected to her entire body - and may aid in acceptance of feelings and emotions resulting from this surgery. This work is performed by a certified and specially trained therapist.
Additional Therapies
In addition to the work mentioned above, we also provide the following holistic treatment options: Hospice Massage, Palliative Care Massage, On Site Visitation, Reflexology,
Bodywork offers compassionate, supportive, and professional touch during some of life’s most sacred moments.
Hospice Massage
Hospice massage acts as a natural treatment that can help patients get peace through compassionate touch. Administered in the home or hospital, without a table; this may take the form of a gentle hand massage or scalp massage, for example. Whatever the case may be, attentive touch can reduce stress and anxiety, allowing the patient to relax fully.
60 Minutes $250 in home
Reflexology
A holistic therapy in which massage is applied to the reflex points on the feet that correspond to all of the body’s systems, organs and glands. This treatment helps to stimulate the normal functions of the body, supports the body’s natural healing process, bringing about physical and mental well-being. Stand alone or Combine this treatment as a 15 or 30 minute add on to any conventional treatment incredible hour plus of heavenly bliss!
60 Minutes $150
Add On 10, 15 Minutes $20/ $30
