Massage Therapy

The purpose of this course is for students to comprehend foundational information related to the profession of therapeutic massage. Specific topics include: history of therapeutic massage, professional ethics and standards of practice, regulatory agencies and their requirements, client and therapist’s professional relationships, communication skills, and an overview of types of therapeutic massage.

This course provides foundational information related to massage therapy. Students gain knowledge related to purposes, effects, applications, benefits, indications and contraindications for various types of massage therapy. Additionally, students learn procedures and precautions for various types of massage therapies. Specific topics include full body western (Swedish) massage, hot and cold therapies, stretching, and documentation guidelines. Special emphasis is placed on professional behaviors, proper draping, and body mechanics. At the conclusion of this course students will be able to perform various types of full body therapeutic massage techniques and document their activities.

This course provides students with an overview of the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the importance of maintaining homeostasis. At the conclusion of this course students will have a basic understanding of the various systems of the body and the effects of massage on these systems. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through cognitive and performance based measurement.

This course introduces students to concepts related to the study of muscle movement. As part of this course students learn the interaction of muscles and various boney landmarks of the skeletal system. Students further learn how to position individuals in preparation for therapeutic massage of various muscle groups. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through cognitive and performance based measurement.

In this course, students are required to demonstrate competency in specific therapeutic massage techniques including treatment preparation, use of proper techniques, client progress, and documentation. Students are required to perform a minimum of 45 hours of hands-on client massages.

During this course, students are also taught ethical business management and professional development. This course is designed to help students to prepare for ethical decision making in professional practice while assisting in the development of their emerging identities as professional licensed massage therapists. Emphasis is placed on building and retaining clientele, communication skills, customer skills, customer services, continuing education and setting goals. Upon completion, the student should be able to list the types of communication skills, state personal goals, and develop a business and marketing plan.

In this course, students learn to adapt massage sessions to the needs of special populations such as pregnant women, infants, elderly, and the terminally ill. Topics include technique variations, length of session, contraindications, cautions, considerations for survivors of abuse, and possible benefits. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss and demonstrate techniques for performing therapeutic massage for special populations.

Students learn advanced massage therapy techniques building upon previously gained knowledge and skills. Upon completion students will be able to apply specific therapeutic massage techniques to various regions of the body.

This course presents baseline information on pathologies which massage therapists may encounter in clinical practice including conditions of the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, lymphatic, integumentary, digestive, endocrine, and immune systems. Content will include etiology, symptomatology, medical approaches to treatment and the potential positive or negative impact of massage.

In this course, students learn advanced study of the interaction of the muscular-skeletal system to include palpation techniques of the appendicular regions of the body. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through cognitive and performance based measurement.

In this course, students are required to demonstrate competency in specific advanced therapeutic techniques including treatment preparation, use of proper techniques, client progress, and documentation. Students are required to perform a minimum of 45 hours of hands-on client massages.

This course provides a consolidated and intensive review of the basic areas of expertise needed by the entry-level massage therapist. Upon completion, the student should be able to pass a comprehensive exam on information covered in the therapeutic massage program.