Ep. 20 - Head and Neck Oncology Care - Lymphedema, Fibrosis, and Research Breakthroughs with Holly McMillan
About this episode
Holly McMillan discusses her research on manual therapy's role in head and neck cancer rehabilitation and its implications for oncology massage therapists.
Imagine being able to feel tissue changes caused by radiation therapy—without seeing the patient or knowing their medical history. That is exactly what today’s guest, Holly McMillan, M.C.D., CCC-SLP, LMP, CLT , demonstrated in her groundbreaking research collaboration with Dr. Geoff Bove at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In this episode, Holly shares her extraordinary journey from licensed massage therapist to Senior Research Speech Language Pathologist and Co-Director of the Trismus Clinic at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She discusses her expertise in fibrosis, lymphedema management, and head and neck cancer rehabilitation , and why manual therapy is emerging as a critical tool in oncology survivorship. As a doctoral candidate and NIH-funded clinical trial collaborator , Holly is at the forefront of evidence-based approaches that integrate touch, research, and patient empowerment. Listeners will hear insights from Holly’s recently published studies, including safety and feasibility findings on manual therapy in head and neck cancer , and her remarkable work showing that trained therapists can palpate physiologic tissue changes after radiation—even under blinded…
More episodes of Collaborative Connections Podcast | Conversations on Cancer Care for Oncology Massage Therapists & Estheticians
- Understanding Lymphatics and Clinical Confidence with Nicola McGill | Healing Summit Speaker Series
- Scars, Fibrosis, and Rethinking “Fixing” with Cathy Ryan | Healing Summit Speaker Series.
- Head & Neck Cancer, Clinical Confidence, and the Power of Touch with Holly McMillan | Healing Summit Speaker Series.
- Collaboration, Sustainability, and Advocacy in Oncology Massage with Cara Thurman | Healing Summit Speaker Series
- Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapies with Cynthia Price | Healing Summit Series
- Ep. 19 - Advancing Oncology Massage and Palliative Care in Italy with Daniela Panzeri
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