Massage Therapy Diploma Program

Massage Therapy I

39 hrs
Theory and Practice of Massage: This lecture and discussion course introduces fundamental information, knowledge and skills needed for the safe, successful practice of massage.

Presents:
• History of Massage
• Tools of the Trade and the Massage Environment
• Health, Hygiene, Sanitation and Safety Standards
• The Science of Table and Body Mechanics, Plus Draping Procedures
• Classifying Swedish Massage Movements
• Massage Physiology: Benefits of Massage
• Client Assessment Skills: Professional Communication, Assessment and Documentation. Includes History Taking and Interviewing Skills
• Adaptive Massage and Client Management Issues
• Putting It All Together: Integrative Massage
• Includes 7 Hours of Pathology

Energetic and Bodymind Studies

62 hrs
The practice of Massage and Bodywork Therapy requires a high level of vitality. This class teaches practitioner self-help skills and principles which deepen your connection to source through bodily felt experience. As you awaken the subtle energy channels you will learn to walk in your authentic power, develop and trust intuition, and serve from and for the One Heart.

• Spiritual Centering: In order to help others find their center, you must know your own. Experience yourself through the core of your being, learning to bring stillness into action in your healing practice. Includes: Meditation, Use of Sound, Toning, Mindfulness of Breathing, Affirmation, Visualization, Deep Prayer, and Energy Flow Exercises.
• Movement Awareness: Teaches alignment, physical centering and grounding along with rhythm and creative expression. Drawing from the ancient practice and modern experience of the Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Kundalini Yoga, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Pilates, dance, and more.
• Principles of Holistic Practice: Learn basic concepts of Cleansing, Fasting, Nutrition, Relaxation, Stress Reduction and develop your personal Philosophy of Healing.
• Rejuvenation Through Nature: Supervised fieldwork experience combined with lectures on the Principles of Holistic Practice. Visit a mountaintop, a double waterfall and the forest for direct experience of renewal through exchanging energy with nature.

Massage Therapy II

Fundamental Hands-On Skills presents foundational practical skills in four distinct modalities:

Swedish Massage & Bio-Mechanics

98 hrs
Learn to give a classic full body circulatory massage for deep relaxation and stress reduction. Emphasis is on proper body mechanics, draping, sensitivity and the ability to adapt the methods for healing and clinical uses. You will also gain the ability to apply principles of balance, rhythm, speed, pressure and sequence of strokes in order to create a flowing massage.

Asian Massage

33 hrs
Traditional Chinese theory of yin-yang and the five elements forms the basis for learning to treat energy meridians and acupoints of the body. You will learn to give a complete Shiatsu/Acupressure massage. Includes 1 hour of Pathology.

Deep Tissue Massage

35 hrs
Building on the foundational skills of Swedish Massage, the student will learn to sink into the tissue with specificity and sensitivity. Presence and listening skills facilitate intuitive dialog between the therapist and the client's body. Optimal biomechanics are utilized to allow deep pressure without great body strength or strain.

Neuromuscular Therapy

33 hrs
Treatment of pain syndromes and dysfunction related to trigger points, ischemia, compression/entrapment, postural distortion, muscle imbalance and altered biomechanics. Includes theory of pain physiology and altered reflexes. This course teaches a series of techniques which can be used as a complete session or integrated into other massage modalities. Includes 3 hours of Pathology.

Massage Therapy III

109 hrs
Adjunct Modalities and Survey courses This series of classes introduces basic concepts and practices of:

• Hydrotherapy, Cryotherapy and Thermotherapy.
• Spa Techniques
• Thai Massage
• Seated Massage
• Sports Massage
• Pregnancy / Infant Massage
• Lymphatic Drainage Massage
• Joint Mobilization
• Positional Release
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Lomi Lomi
• Energy Healing
• Flower Essences
• Aromatherapy
• Includes 5 hours of Pathology

Professional Standards, Ethics and Laws

15 hrs
Professional Standards Ethics and Laws presents information which helps define massage as a distinct profession. This includes rules that govern behavior and the legalities for practicing massage.

• NCBTMB Standards of Practice
• Ethics
• North Carolina Laws and Rules for the practice of Massage and Bodywork Therapy
• Role of professional membership organizations, agencies and the N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy

Anatomy and Physiology

134 hrs
Structure and function of the human body with emphasis on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Efficient and safe movement patterns, proprioception and basic principles of biomechanics and kinesiology, joint structure and basic medical terminology are included.

Covers integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems, nervous, endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, reproductive, digestive systems and craniosacral systems. Common pathologies and recognition of various conditions is included by system of the body. Energy Anatomy Includes the structure and function of the subtle energy body with emphasis on non-Western approaches including traditional Chinese Medicine, primary and extraordinary meridians, Five Element Theory, chakras, layers of the energy body, kundalini and the physiology of meditation and energy flows.

Pathology

21 hrs (40 hours total for the program)
Covered are physiological changes of disease, pathology of major systems of the body. In depth study of the identification and treatment of the special needs of clients with AIDS/HIV, Fibromyalgia, cancer, diabetes and pre/post surgery conditions.

Somatic Psychology

22 hrs
This course presents essential knowledge and skills required for successful relationships with clients in the massage setting. Of special importance is therapist self-awareness, ability to communicate clearly and familiarity with psychological factors which may influence the client.

• Boundary Functions
• Dynamics of the Therapist/Client Relationship
• Psychological Effects of Touch
• Effects of client life-style, stress, cultural conditioning, emotional trauma, life stages, belief systems and prior history related to health and recovery from illness
• Communication Skills

Business Practices

18 hrs
A career as a massage therapist is much more than simply doing bodywork sessions. The Following subjects will help you master the business of massage.

• Marketing and Advertising
• Success Psychology and Goal Setting
• Financial Management and Record Keeping
• Bookkeeping and Income Reporting Procedures
• Business Communication, Cover Letter / Resume

Clinical Massage

50 hrs
After three months of hands-on classroom experience, students will gain practice and ease in dealing with the public in a supervised setting. Students will take client histories, implement treatment plans and receive evaluations from instructors. The clinic setting provides the student with the opportunity to develop confidence in running all aspects of a massage business.

Standard First Aid and CPR Certification

7 hrs
This is a standard class covering methods for handling common health emergencies and techniques for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.