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Program Content

Upon successful completion of the Basic Relaxation Massage Therapy program graduates will possess the following listed skills. They will be qualified to obtain employment in health clubs, gyms, spas, resorts, and clinics with other health care and alternative health care professionals. They will also be capable of being self employed either full or part time in the field of relaxation massage.

Safety of the Therapist & Clients

  1. Contraindications to Massage Therapy
    • ability to identify contraindicated conditions
    • explain why the contraindication exists and the systems involved
    • know when treatment modification is appropriate and why
    • now what modifications are appropriate and how to apply them
  2. Basic Draping, Positioning and Turning Techniques
    • clearly direct the client regarding getting on and off of the table
    • exhibit proper draping and bolstering techniques
    • exhibit proper positioning and turning of the client
    • demonstrate proper positioning and draping for pregnant clients
  3. Basic Environment for Practicing Massage Therapy
    • prepare and maintain a hazard free clinical environment
    • exhibit appropriate personal and clinical hygiene
    • exhibit appropriate clinical dress and conduct
    • properly launder supplies
    • appropriate choice and use of supplies
  4. Communication Skills
    • awareness and respect of emotional and physical boundaries of the client
    • awareness and respect of emotional and physical boundaries of the therapist
    • provision of a professional non-threatening environment
    • ability to maintain clear open communication
    • the ability to explain the responsibilities of both client and therapist to identify and appropriately address physical or emotional discomfort during a treatment
    • to request permission to proceed with treatment when required
  5. Professionalism and Ethics
    • differentiate between the legal and ethical responsibilities of the massage therapist
    • explain why confidentiality is important and how to maintain client confidentiality
    • explain the importance of the right to refuse treatment by the client or therapist
    • confidently provide suitable responses to boundary violations
    • explain and maintain zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior including that of a sexual nature
    • recognize treatment limitations
  6. Self Care for Massage Therapists
    • demonstrate body awareness and proper body mechanics during treatments
    • ability to identify preferences regarding treatment types, lengths and hours of employment
    • awareness of personal and professional goals and limitations
    • self care techniques

Information Gathering

  1. Terminology
    • exhibit proper spelling and usage of medical terminology when communicating with colleagues
    • have the ability to describe the same structures in layman's terms when dealing with clients
    • proper understanding and usage of anatomical terms of direction and movement
    • understanding of proper posture, anatomical position, and other Western medical terms.
  2. Basic Anatomy & Physiology
    • identify, label and palpate bones and bony landmarks
    • identify, label and palpate joints and joint structures
    • identify, label and/or palpate muscles, fiber directions, origins and insertions
    • explain how to recognize and identify basic signs and symptoms of common pathological states
  3. Assessment and Treatment
    • collect and interpret relevant data in a pre treatment interview
    • clarify desired treatment result with client
    • maintain client feedback during treatment
    • provide a relevant treatment
    • assess the efficacy of the treatment
    • explain likely post treatment effects
    • clarify if further treatments are required
  4. Various Complimentary Therapies
    • explain awareness of the various allopathic and holistic therapies in an unbiased manner

Information Assessment

  1. Pathophysiology
    • describe the concept of the homeostatic mechanism at the general systemic and cellular levels, and how this is reflected in healthy and unhealthy tissue function
  2. Systems
    • explain the structural and functional organization of the following subjects:
    • histology
    • arthrology
    • osteology
    • myology
    • cardiovascular systems
    • lymphatics
    • immune systems
    • digestive system
    • urinary system
    • respiratory system
    • central nervous system
    • peripheral nervous system
    • endocrine system
    • integument

Implementation of Treatment Plan

  1. Basic Massage Strokes
    • describe and demonstrate various massage techniques
    • apply the massage techniques that will best achieve the intended result
  2. Pathophysiology
    • explain the primary distinguishing characteristics of different tissue types
    • explain the possible effects of various massage techniques on tissue types
    • ability to adjust techniques based on the state of health of the various tissues
  3. Systems
    • demonstrate knowledge and application of Universal Precautions when providing massage therapy
    • explain the general limitations and effects of massage therapy on the following subjects
    • histology
    • arthrology
    • osteology
    • myology
    • cardiovascular systems
    • lymphatics
    • immune systems
    • digestive system
    • urinary system
    • respiratory system
    • central nervous system
    • peripheral nervous system
    • endocrine system
    • integument
    • Assessment and Treatment
    • develop a treatment plan
    • demonstrate appropriate massage techniques to achieve the desired outcome (relaxation only)

*Assessment and treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes is reserved for second year studies