Curriculum * Hours * Grading
All students are given practical evaluations as well as written or on-line tests. A grade is given based on the ability to understand and apply the techniques taught. Students must maintain a grade of “70” or above to pass.
Hours mentioned below are for the entire program of 500 hours of in- class training. Customized Massage Programs of 200 Hours or more may pick hours ala carte depending on what is needed to create the appropriate credit hours for licensure.
| INTENSIVE DAILY ROUTINE: Students are required to bring their own lotions, linens & massage tables. Academic hours are based on the usual 50-55 minute time frame. 8 am to 9 am - Body mechanics 9 am to 11 am - 1st class segment 11:15 am to 1 pm - 2nd class segment 1 pm to 2 pm - Lunch 2 pm to 4:30 pm - 3rd class segment 4:45 pm to 6:30 pm - Practice lab |
I. Anatomy, Physiology & Kinesiology (125 hours)
Students will learn general knowledge of the body systems. Classes will be taught through lecture, and hands- on assignments. Topics to be included are the following:
- General Knowledge of the following Body systems: integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, urinary, respiratory, gastrointestinal, reproductive, craniosacral, energetic, meridian, chakras
- Anatomical positions & terminology ( e.g. planes, directions)
- Individual muscles/ muscle groups
- Muscle attachments
- Muscle fiber direction
- Tendons
- Fascia
- Joint structure & movements (e.g. flexion, extension)
- Ligaments
- Bursar
- Dermatomes
- Response of the body to stress
- Basic nutrition principles
- Types of muscle contractions (e.g. eccentric, concentric, isometric)
- Proprioception
II. Pathology (40 hrs.)
Students will learn general knowledge of how dis- ease effects each body system. Classes will be taught through lecture and research projects. Topics to be included are the following:
- 1. Medical terminology
- Etiology of a disease
- Modes of contagious disease transmission (e.g. blood, saliva)
- Signs & symptoms of a disease
- Effects of psychological & emotional states (e.g. depression, anxiety, grief, trauma)
- Indications for massage therapy
- Contraindications (cautions) - Students are expected to know precautionary conditions and complete contrary health situations to massage therapy. They learn to retrieve this information by learning the proper questions to ask on the initial phone call, how to create and take an initial intake form, keep client records, and how to observe for contraindications.
- Principles of Injury Care: (acute versus chronic conditions)
- Basic pharmacology
- Effects of life stages (e.g. childhood. Pregnancy, geriatric)
Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Applications ( 275 hrs.)
(100 hr.) Therapeutic Massage: A study of basic Swedish massage theory, techniques, pathology, proper draping of clients, assessing clients' needs and expectations, and appropriate interaction between practitioner and client. Lecture, demo, instructional, and practical applications.
(20 hr.) Postural Evaluation: More skills in accessing & balancing clients stress by observing their posture and gait patterns. Information can be used to determine appropriate treatment of musculature.
(20 hr.) Body Mechanics: Self-assessment skills for the therapist to determine how to use their own body safely while performing bodywork sessions. Techniques include concepts from Yoga and Tai Chi. This study contributes to better client postural assessment skills as well.
(20 hr.) Infant /Pregnancy/Postpartum/ Geriatric Massage: The student gains an understanding of benefits, contraindications and how to apply technique and pressure in each situation.
(20 hr.) Sports Massage : The focus is to help with pre-event and post- event activities on athletes and instruction on injury pathology.
(20 hr.) Hydro/ Cryo Therapy: Instruction on the local effects of heat and cold for the rehabilitation of muscle tissue. Includes Aromatherapy & Hot Stone Massage
(10 hr.) On-site Massage / Seated/ Chair Techniques: Focus on seated massage techniques easily used in the executive office or employee work setting.
(5 hr.) Therapeutic Spa Facial Massage: How to create a spa like experience with a dry room (no sink). This includes knowledge of skin conditions & pathologies, with both massage indications & contraindications.
(8 hr.) Foot Massage & Intro to Foot Reflexology: Basic intro to Ingram Foot Reflexology Theory and how to access and treat body energy through specific points on the feet.
(8 hr.) AcuTherapy: Light touch techniques working with the golgi- tendon reflex that are great for the client who has an issue with disrobing or for those extra tight muscles that a deeper tissue massage is not appropriate for.
(16 hr.) Reiki I & II Certification Course: Usui/ Tibetan healing practices utilizing meditation, assessment, symbols, attunement and distance healing techniques. Energy Healing
(20 hr.) Intro to Oriental Acupressure - Basic intro to Chinese Yin / Yang and elemental theory, and general knowledge of meridians and points. Focus is to give practitioner more skills in assessing and treating clients. Light touch energy healing that can easily be integrated into a Swedish Massage.
(6 hr.) Intro to Polarity - Basic intro into another modality of light touch energy/massage techniques developed by Dr. Randolph Stone, D.O. that can easily be integrated into a Swedish Massage.
IV. Professional Standards, Ethics, Business & Legal practices (60 hrs.)
Students will learn general knowledge of how to create and maintain the business side of their practice. Classes will be taught through lecture and research projects. Topics to be included are the following:
- 1. Maintaining professional boundaries while responding to clients emotional needs
- Client interviewing techniques
- Communication with other health care professionals
- When to refer clients to other health care professionals
- Verbal & nonverbal communication skills
- NCBTMB Code of Ethics & Standards of practice
- Issues of Confidentiality
- Scope of Practice
- Planning strategies of single & multiple sessions
- Session record keeping
- Basic business & accounting practices
- Regulations pertaining to Federal Income taxes
- State & local credential requirements
- Legal entities (e.g. employee, independent contractor)
- Liability insurance (e.g. need for, where to get)
- Marketing Strategies
V. Two private tutorials will be provided to each student as part of their training hours ( 3 hrs.)
Private time with a teacher will be provided for about an hour and a half in each tutorial.The student actually practices their hands- on with the teacher as the client. This is a time for the student to work completely at their own pace, refining and learning new techniques, asking specific questions about how theory and technique interact, etc. while receiving expertise to improve their focus, technique, body mechanics and flow.