Course Catalogue

Anatomy and Physiology

Students will learn about and gain a greater appreciation for the human anatomy, how it works and where things are located in the body. There will be memorization of the big bones, as well as all the primary muscles of the body. We will be learning about 7 systems of the body, as well as pathologies that apply to massage and bodywork. We will also study the contraindications of massage.

Kinesiology

This study gives the massage student knowledge of the muscular system. We will study the sections of each muscle, as well as muscle groups. Joint movement and movement patterns will also be studied.

Pathology

Includes medical terminology, etiology of disease, and the study of signs, symptoms, and transmission of diseases. Contraindications as well as indications for massage will also be studied. Approaches used in other western as well as asian medicine will also be studied.

Aromatherapy and Raindrop

The study of massage therapy would not be complete without the study of aromatherapy. The affect of the different essential oils on the body are pofound and lasting. We will also be learning to do a raindrop session with the essential oils. We will have a guest instructor teaching this class.

Iridology

We will have a short study of iridology. This is the study of the eyes. The eyes are truly the window of the body, and in learning to read them we are learning another helpful diagnostic tool to use with our clients.

Hydrotherapy

In the hydroptherapy class you will learn the basics of hot and cold water therapy. Cryotherapy will also be taught, as well as salt glows.

Job Oppurtunites and Outlooks

Meet and listen to guest therapists who will talk about their specialty, as well as how they came to the place they are in their career. By this point you will have an idea of the areas of this profession that excite you the most. We will explore these areas further, as well as make visits to spas and other opportunites.

Ethics

We will study how to maintain professional boundaries while responding to the clients emotional needs. We will use the NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for the study of this area.

First Aid, CPR Review, and Communications

Learn to be prepared in case of emergencies as well as knowing some contraincications related to these areas. In our discussions of communications and ethics we will see areas you need to be mindful of as a massage therapist. These areas will be addressed on a daily basis, as well as weekly with a group discussions and exersizes to develop the skills necessary to work with the general public.

Building Your Business

Tools and ideas to begin your own succesful massage practice. Suggestions and information that will support and sustain your client base and build your business.

National Exam Preparation

Your will be prepared to take and pass the National Exam upon returning to the United States. All students will be certified with more than enough hours to take the exam. We will prepare through review adn study to be able to pass the exam and embark on your new career as soon as you return home.

Spanish for the Massage Therapist (optional 30 hours)

We offer a 30 hr "Spanish for Therapists" class to our students. The program includes 3 nights a week with a one hour spanish lesson. This will include all the vocabulary necessary for the therapist working in a clinic, spa, or having their own business.

Swedish Massage

Students will learn the history, as well as the theories behind swedish massage. The strokes of swedish massage will be taught. We will learn about modes draping techniques, and different oils and lotions available. Also included will be how to fill out an intake from and interview clients orally for a massage. At the conclusion of the basic swedish class the students will be prepared to begin their clinic hours.

Advanced Swedish Massage

In the advanced class students will elarn to take their basic swedish massage a level higher. Out guest instructor will teach how to get into some harder to get places on the body as well as some more advanced strokes to work on the clients with, for a more effective and long lasting massage.

Connective Tissue Massage

In the connective tissure massage class students will learn to massage and feel the connective tissue system of the body. The history and theory of connective tissue massage will be studied as well as the contraindications for CTM and the purpose for its use.

Reflexology

In studying reflexology our guest instructor will be going in depth to study the meridians and the nerve endings in the feet. The different areas of the feet correlating to the different parts of the body will be taught, as well as the endrocine system in conjunction with the reflexology class.

Neuromuscular Therapy

The study of trigger point massage will include the other two modalities we have studies as we start learning to integrate the different massage techniques we have studied. NMT will study how the trigger point areas can refer, and the puzzle of solving which point is affecting which area on the body will bring dramatic results.

Shiatsu Massage

The study of shiatsu massage will begin with the studying of the theory and history of shiatsu. The energy systems, meridians, haras and elements will all be discussed as well as how to use them as an effective assessment tool. We will learn how to do shiatsu on the floor, as well as ways to integrate it into a full body massage.

Sports Massage

The study of sports massage is really nothing more then delving deeper into the study of the anatomy, as well as getting more specific with the way we deal with the body. We will learn the contraindications that may present when working with athletes as well as some of the methods of dealing with repetitive motion injuries. We will learn the differences between maintanance massage and post and pre race massage for athletes.

Cranial Sacral

Cranial sacral massage is basically affecting our deepest layer of connective tissure being the cranial sacral fluid. In learning the basic holds that affect our cranial sacral fluid we can learn to feel the rhythm and help to facilitate the movement of this fluid. Our guest instructor is well trained, and has been doing this homework for years.

Integrative Massage

Here we will bring together all the modalities to best be able to treat, and help each and every client we work with. We will be able to draw on the many tools we have learned to assess, and treat our clients for whatever may present in our work. This is perhaps considered the creative part of our work. Every persons massage will be different, and creative, yet effective as they draw on their experiences and techniques that work the best for them.

Required Massages

Each student will be expected to perform 50 hours of massage. They can be performed in the clinic or in other approved settings. They will be done free, tips only. Also, for every clinic massage the students will be expected to complete a feedback form as well as a soap form. They will be turned in completely filled out. This will especially benefit the students in the future of working in a clinic or office setting.

Massage Clinic Log Book

Students will keep a journal of each massage they do. Information of this kind can be invaluable as a self evaluation and learning tool as well as an important record for clinical purposes.

General Knowledge of Body Systems

Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology - 150 hrs

Pathology - 40 hrs

Professional Business - 4 hrs

Ethics - 6 hrs

Total Hours - 200

Massage and Bodywork Assessment Theory and Application

Massage modalities (swedish, connective tissue, shiatsu, cranial sacral, sports, aromatherapy, reflexology, integrative massage, nmt) - 200 hrs

Clinic log book - 50 hrs

Practical Massages in Clinical - 50 hrs

Total Hours - 300

(With completion of the courses you will also be certified through the Arizona Chiropractic Board as a Chiropractic Assistant).
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