Cal Cates

Cal Cates

Cal  Cates  is an educator, writer,  and speaker on topics ranging from massage therapy in the hospital setting to end-of-life  care  and massage therapy policy and regulation. A founding director of the Society  for Oncology Massage from 2007–2014 and current  executive  director and founder of  Healwell,  Cates  works within and beyond the massage therapy community to elevate the level of practice and integration of massage overall and in health care specifically.  Cates  also is  the co-creator of the podcasts  Massage Therapy Without Borders  and  Interdisciplinary.

OTHER ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

An MT addresses a client's foot as two others watch.

Ethics

Critical Thinking as Consumers of Continuing Education

There are major differences between certifications, educational certificates, and CE certificates. It’s important to assess which is best for you.

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MT working on the foot of a client.

Technique

Massage Therapy is Unique in Addressing "Total Pain"

The holistic importance of massage therapy needs to be recognized as a key to relieving a client’s pain.

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Close up image of a massage therapist's hands kneading the upper back of a client.

Ethics

Educating Others About Massage's Effectiveness

A recent study is a step in the right direction toward quantifying the efficacy of massage therapy.

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A male client receives massage therapy to the head and face.

Ethics

Walking the Fine Line of Friendship and Therapist, Part 2

The skills of listening, noticing, and wondering help build the foundation of real, flexible, and ethical boundaries that allow us to connect meaningfully with our clients.

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A female therapist does an assessment on a male client's back.

Ethics

Walking the Fine Line of Friendship and Therapist, Part 1

The proximity and interaction between client and MT can lead to a different interpretation by each.

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conceptual, multicolored wires coming together at an end point

Ethics

Power in Collaboration

Networking with providers outside your field can benefit your client treatment process and add to your repertoire of valuable resources and referrals.

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elderly woman sitting with hands folded in lap.

Technique

Palliative Care

Palliative care is an added layer of support for people living with chronic or serious illness. It enhances people’s care by offering quality of life for them and their family. And your touch can make a difference in all their lives.

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Woman smiling.

Ethics

Reduce Fat Bias in the Treatment Room

When we can see the clients as whole people, it makes room for us to bring compassion to the impact of the multiple traumatic experiences they have likely had with other health-care providers.

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Massage therapist applying massage to client on massage table.

Ethics

Rest and Relaxation Are Necessities, Not Luxuries

We do a disservice to our clients, ourselves, and the profession when we downplay and/or deny the value of relaxation.

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Massage therapist applying massage strokes to female client on massage table.

Ethics

Critical Thinking Is Change Thinking

What we know about the body and how we affect it with our work is constantly changing. We must do the same.

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