Supporting through a Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment : An Amatsu Approach

with Helen Clarke & Meela Crowe

What will be covered on the day?

1. Supporting clients without judgement:

As Amatsu practitioners, our role is to provide a safe and supportive space without having an

opinion on a client’s treatment choices. It’s about helping them feel as comfortable and

supported as possible during what is a very difficult time.

2. Helping with the side effects of cancer treatment:

We’ll look at how Amatsu can support the body through treatment, the impact this has on the

organs and how we can remove toxicity safely and smoothly. Calming the nervous system

and treating the overall wellbeing of our clients. We’ll also cover the shock and emotional

impact of a cancer diagnosis and the importance of looking at the whole person, not just the

physical symptoms.

3. Understanding cancer treatments and terminology:

We’ll also cover some of the common treatments, medications and terminology, so

practitioners can feel more confident and informed when speaking with clients.

4. Personal experience:

Having been through cancer twice and nursed her brother through his cancer journey,

including being his stem cell donor, Helen brings a very personal understanding of both

sides of the experience. She is passionate about helping other Amatsu therapists feel more

confident supporting clients going through cancer treatment, with knowledge, compassion

and humility.

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Supporting the Pregnant Body: An Amatsu Approach

with Helen Clarke & Meela Crowe

Group of ten women standing together indoors, smiling for a photo. They are dressed casually, with a window and blinds in the background, and various household items visible.

What was covered on the day?

1. The Bigger Picture: Understanding the Pregnant Body

A focused overview of:

  • Key stages of pregnancy relevant to Amatsu practice

  • How physiological changes influence structure, balance and comfort

  • The unique nature of pregnancy: one body supporting another

  • Practitioner mindset: respect, awareness and appropriate boundaries

2. Major to Minor: Conditions, Cautions & Clinical Awareness

This segment covers:

  • Common conditions in pregnancy and how they may present

  • Clear distinctions between:

  • Where Amatsu can help

  • Where we must not intervene

  • Post-delivery considerations: supporting mother and baby after difficult births

  • Recognising red flags and knowing when to refer

3. Treatment Objectives: Creating Ease & Balance

Practical focus on:

  • Helping the mother carry her baby with greater comfort

  • Addressing imbalance as the primary source of difficulty

  • Techniques for floating the baby into the pelvic cradle to reduce lumbar strain

  • Hands-on methods that consistently support maternal ease and mobility

4. Comfort, Safety & Best Practice Protocols

Ensuring a safe, supportive environment through:

  • Communication that builds trust and respects the client’s lived experience

  • Positioning, pillows, bolsters and supports for comfort at every stage

  • Awareness of blood pressure, blood sugars and post-treatment stability

  • Safe transitions on/off the plinth and practitioner proximity if unsteady

  • Technique selection: when it is appropriate, when it is not

5. Ethics, Consent, Modesty & Professional Conduct

A dedicated section on practitioner responsibility:

  • Obtaining clear, informed consent at every stage of treatment

  • Maintaining modesty with draping, positioning and verbal reassurance

  • Respecting boundaries—physical, emotional and professional

  • Transparent communication about what you are doing and why

  • Upholding ethical practice that safeguards mother, baby and practitioner

Massage therapy room with beds, towels, and supplies, reflected in a mirror with a quote about self-love.
A group of women gathered around a massage table in a wellness or therapy center, with some women performing or receiving treatments. The room has sunlight coming through windows, and there are various chairs, plants, and therapy equipment visible.
A display of medical and anatomical charts laid out on tables covered with white and pastel-colored tablecloths at an educational exhibit or class.
A cluttered kitchen table with a red and white checkered tablecloth, holding various food items including a loaf of bread, granola bars, bowls, a teapot, cups, juice, and utensils, with kitchen items and supplies scattered around.
A group of women in a well-lit room gathered around a table, engaged in conversation. One woman is standing in the foreground, looking to her left. Others are sitting or standing, some appear to be talking and smiling.
Several people engaged in a wellness or massage session in a bright room with large windows. Some are receiving treatment on massage tables, while others are standing around and talking. The room has ceiling tiles with images of clouds and sky, and wall decorations with quotes about breathing and becoming.