*THIS IS NOT AN ANBMT-SPONSORED EVENT.
Date: Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 – 5:00 pm both days
Location: CCMH, 6960 Mumford Rd, Halifax, NS
Cost: Early-bird discount until September 10, 2025:
$600 (includes HST). After that date price is $725 (includes HST).
Please contact rmtmonika@gmail.com to REGISTER. Payment in full must accompany registration.
Maximum Registrants: 14 Total hours available for CEUs: 14 hours
Course details:
This in-person course will teach massage therapists to give comfort-oriented massage that is safely
administered to persons at end of life. Information will be presented via lectures, discussions,
demonstrations, and case studies. All course participants will have supervised, hands-on practice.
Learning Objectives:
– to increase participants’ comfort level offering compassionate massage to those who are at end-of-life
– to review pertinent anatomy & accommodations massage therapists make when a person is palliative
– to familiarize participants with precautions and contraindications
– to introduce effective massage techniques
– to review the stages of dying
– to educate massage therapists about common medications and side effects
– to discuss and demonstrate effective self-care rituals
Please be prepared to massage each other and also bring the following:
– 2 sheets, face cradle covers, 2 towels, pillows, pillowcases, lightweight blanket, massage oil, lotion,
or gel
About the Instructor
Monika Bigelow has been an active registered massage therapist (RMT) and yoga
instructor for more than a decade. She received her palliative massage training from
Irene Smith at Laguna Honda Hospital in San Francisco and has had extensive
experience massaging people who are at the end of their lives. For many years Monika
provided massage for patients and their caregivers on the palliative floor at the Halifax
Victoria General Hospital and at Halifax Hospice. She currently offers palliative
massage at Valley Hospice, Kentville, NS
