Massage Therapy Program Course Descriptions and Objectives
NMTI'S course components include Swedish and Sports massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Ethics and Good Business practices. Successful program completion leads to a diploma and qualifies you to sit for the National Certification Exam in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork which is required for licensure in most states.
Our Massage Therapy Program is designed for individuals seeking a career in therapeutic massage and bodywork. The program is also suitable for those who are adding skills to their profession as health care workers in nursing, physical or occupational therapy, or any other related field. Our Standard program is completed in only seven months or you may choose a twelve month program with lighter schedule. We offer classes during the day or evenings and in some locations you may choose to attend weekends.
Our 600 hour massage therapy training program provides the knowledge and skills you need to pass your licensing exams and practice with confidence.
Curriculum Outline
ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM
Purpose: Ethics and professionalism of massage therapy will provide the student with an understanding of the different ideas and perceptions affecting the industry. The ethical structure and integrity necessaryto perform massage therapy successfully will be explored in order to equip the student with the professional knowledge necessary to utilize his/her skills in a responsible and appropriate manner.
Objectives: The student will be able to demonstrate their skills with a high degree of sensitivity to the professionalism and ethics of massage therapy.
HISTORY OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Purpose: This introduction will trace the development and use of massage techniques from ancient times to modern day. This overview will delve into the pioneers of massage and the use of massage as a therapeutic practice. Modern techniques will be explored to facilitate the student's desire to either generalize or specialize in their career.
Objectives: After completing this course, the student should gain a well-rounded understanding of the history and anticipated future of the field of massage therapy.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Purpose: The student will be provided with a well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body as well as related terminology. This knowledge is essential for the massage practitioner to perform skillfully and successfully.
Objectives: The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic human anatomy and physiology, name the anatomical planes, regions and cavities and parts of the body, name the ten body systems and explain the structure and functions of those various body systems using medical terms.
PATHOLOGY
Purpose: The student will be provided with information on the pathological conditions they may encounter in their practice.
Objectives: The student should have a strong understanding and knowledge of pathological conditions for which there are contraindications for massage therapy. For a deeper look into injuries, the students will be able to describe common muscular disorders and how, when and if to treat them. They will also practice performing an assessment and determining what treatment is necessary in addition to describing deeper muscular structures.
KINESIOLOGY
Purpose: To provide the student with a knowledge of how the body performs and moves. This course will cover a variety of structures that provide movement in the human body, including the critical muscular structure.
Objectives: The student needs a strong understanding of how the body moves and how massage therapy affects these movements. The objective of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of the origins, insertions, and actions of the skeletal muscles as well as involuntary muscular movements.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Purpose: Business management is designed to give students the knowledge and tools that they need to be successful in the business of massage therapy as part of a larger organization or in setting up their own private practice.
Objectives: The student will develop their own business plan and resume. Forms and contracts will be discussed and the student will become competent in creating their own marketing materials. Students will practice creating proposals, sending letters to prospective employers and hiring prospective employees or independent contractors.
MASSAGE THERAPY TECHNIQUES
Purpose: To provide the necessary knowledge and skills required to describe the six major categories of massage movements, explain Swedish techniques, demonstrate mastery of basic massage movements and the passive and active movements of the joints and explain and demonstrate rhythm and pressure as applied to a therapeutic massage. Other modalities will be introduced including Reflexology, Sports Massage, Asian Introduction, Prenatal, and Chair Massage.
Objectives: The student will be able to perform a massage therapy session with the client in a one hour time frame using the basic Swedish movements. They will also be able to understand the terminology and reasons behind each of the movements used in the session. The student will also be able to assess a client's condition and determine what type of techniques should be used in varied circumstances.
CLINICAL PRACTICE / FIELDWORK
Purpose: Clinical / fieldwork practice allows students the opportunity to practice learned techniques in a supervised environment. Students will make appointments, interview clients, and determine the most effective technique to use in each case. The opportunity may arise when we are invited to participate at an event outside of school grounds under the instructor's supervision.
Objectives: The student will be able to practice on individuals in addition to the other students in class in order to prepare them to work with the public. The student will also be able to fill out the appropriate forms that go along with the sessions and practice their ethics and boundary skills.
WELLNESS EDUCATION
Purpose: This section will teach the students about the general concepts of wellness and how massage can be part of a wellness plan.
Objectives: The student will be able to explain to their client the basic concepts of taking care of their body, mind and spirit. How correct breathing, exercise and stretching can help alleviate the common stressors in daily life. This is also where the practitioner will be able to do the same for themselves.
CHAIR MASSAGE
Purpose: Chair massage will allow the student another aspect of massage that can be incorporated into their practice for the purpose of promotion.
Objectives: Demonstrate chair massage techniques and explain how this practice can be utilized to promote a student's business.
SPORTS MASSAGE
Purpose: Sports massage will help the student understand the difference between traditional Swedish massage and Sports massage and how they are applied.
Objectives: Explain pre-event, post-event restorative (during training), and rehabilitative (for injuries) techniques. Demonstrate the basic movements for a sports massage.
REFLEXOLOGY
Purpose: The purpose of Reflexology is to allow the student the ability to provide the client to feel the affects of massage without the need to get undressed.
Objectives: Explain how certain points on the hands and feet stimulate organs in the body. Reflexology can normally be used when the client cannot receive a regular massage. Demonstrate basic techniques of reflexology.
PRENATAL
Purpose: Prenatal massage allows the student to provide massage to expectant mothers for relaxation.
Objectives: Demonstrate how to provide massage for comfort and relaxation to expectant mothers. There are also techniques that can be used during and after delivery to help relax and improve muscle tone. Learn how to position the prenatal woman for her comfort and for the safety of her unborn child.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
Purpose: Traditional Chinese Medicine is taught to provide the students with the knowledge of an energetic aspect of massage.
Objectives: The student will be able to explain the meridians and how they correlate with the organs of the body. Students will learn how Eastern medicine is more philosophy and less science than Western medicine. The students will be able to decipher the 'five elements' and explain why and when moxibustion would be used. They will learn the different aspects of the chakras and how they relate to parts of the body.
HYDROTHERAPY & SPA
Purposes & Objectives: Hydrotherapy is the use of water for therapeutic purposes. You will learn how to use various temperatures for help in healing and relaxation. Students will use hot compresses and ice and learn how to perform a salt rub for exfoliating and smoothing the skin. The students will learn what the manager of a spa is looking for when hiring an employee, practice integrating into the spa environment and learn spa terminology.
CLINICAL APPLICATION
Purposes & Objectives: Students will be able to explain the stages of rehabilitation, list factors that affect recovery, identify treatment protocols, define trigger points and demonstrate techniques for gauging pressure and pain. Students will develop the ability to discuss aftercare and common injuries with their clients.
ADAPTATIVE AND CLIENT ISSUES
Purposes & Objectives: Explain and demonstrate various client positioning. Adjust techniques to accommodate the physically challenged including those in wheelchairs. Discuss emotional releases that may occur and how to handle them appropriately.
