Therapeutic Massage - 612 Hrs
Both day and evening classes are offered. Day classes meet Monday through Thursday, 9:15AM to 1:15PM, requiring 10 months for completion. Evening classes meet two evenings per week (6 to 10PM), plus 2 or 3 Saturdays per month, 9AM to 5PM, requiring 11 months for completion. New day and evening sessions begin in September and February. At graduation, the student is awarded a Diploma in Therapeutic Massage. In addition to the main subjects involving full body massage and A&P, sufficient class time is spent introducing students to other bodywork topics in order to assist them in making career choices and ascertaining interest in advanced studies.
Area of Study HoursCore Bodywork Courses
A. Therapeutic Massage 144B. Swedish Massage 48C. Deep Tissue 20D. Reflexology 32E. Seated Massage 24F. Soft Tissue Release 28 Adjunctive Courses
A. A&P and Pathology 160B. Aromatherapy 20C. Professional Develop. & Business 36D. Outreach 12Introductory Courses
A. Sports Massage 20B. Energy Therapies 40Specialty Courses
A. Pregnant and Infant Massage 8B. Geriatric Massage 4C. Hydrotherapy 8D. Trigger Point Therapy 8TOTAL HOURS 612Core Bodywork Courses
Therapeutic Massage – 144 Hours
This course will introduce the student to the theory and practice of therapeutic massage. Students learn proper body mechanics along with draping and positioning procedures for full sequence massage. Students focus on the major categories of massage movement and learn variations of each. Also covered are rhythm, pressure, and pacing as applied to therapeutic massage. Other topics include history of massage, physiological and psychological benefits of massage, indicators and contraindications, ethics, sanitary and safety procedures, SOAP. charting, and self-practice measures to minimize therapist injury.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz and hands-on test.Swedish Massage – 48 Hours
Students learn a full body Swedish massage routine, noting differences between this and Therapeutic massage techniques. Through demonstration and practice, students know the divisions of the 5 main massage strokes and understand the physiological effects.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz and hands-on test.Deep Tissue – 16 Hours
This mostly hands-on course provides emphasis on proper body mechanics, stroke speed and approach angle. These techniques enable the therapist to apply deep tissue work with very little physical effort and, at the same time, minimize wear and tear to wrists and thumbs. These skills can be incorporated into existing sequences, or can be modified to apply in a more superficial manner.
Grade Criteria: Hands-on test.Reflexology – 32 Hours
Principles of Reflexology are studied along with the location of reflex areas and points of both the hands and feet. Students learn how to apply various reflexology and relaxation techniques to balance energy, release tension and increase vitality. Included are thumb & finger walking, procedural sequence, history, theories, anatomical functions, symptoms and disorders.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz and hands-on test.Seated Massage – 28 Hours
Students learn a 20-minute Chair Massage routine. Includes proper body mechanics, mechanical use of massage chairs, benefits, contraindicatiions, marketplace tools, pace and flow of technique.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz and hands-on test.Soft Tissue Release – 24 Hours
Students learn methods of combined pressure and stretching to restore contracted or damaged muscle tissue. Specific problems are assessed and techniques applied to relieve pain and problems such as carpal tunnel, lower back ache, frozen shoulder, whiplash, and plantar fasciitis. Soft tissue release can easily be incorporated with other forms of bodywork.
Grade Criteria: Hands-on test.Adjunctive Courses
A&P and Pathology – 160 Hours
This comprehensive course provides the student with a firm foundation of basic anatomy, physiology, and pathlology—skills that are needed to communicate well with clients, therapists, and others associated with the medical profession. Beginning with anatomical terminology, cytology (cells), and histology (tissue), all body systems are then studied in some detail. A strong empahsis is placed on the skeletal and muscular systems.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz and hands-on test.Aromatherapy – 20 Hours
This course introduces the student to therapeutic benefits and uses of aromatherapy. Topics explained are the history of aromatherapy and the use of aromatics, the properties of essential oils, blending techniques, choosing the correct carrier methods, and contraindications. Hands-on blending practice and a massage routine are included.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.Professional Development & Business – 36 Hours
This course assists the student in making wise career choices. Students define their goals and prepare to establish a private practice or apply for employment. Other topics include professional ethics, marketing, basics of accounting, creating a business plan, writing resumes and preparation for interviews, computer applications, and communication skills. Students also research and present a 20 minute oral report based on a particular facet of massage/bodywork.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.Outreach – 12 Hours
Students participate in outreach programs by providing massage and bodywork at special events, such as Cancer Relay for Life, Community College Health Fair, Reading Hospital Nurses Week. These events take place after the student has achieved adequate training and skill in the particular bodywork application.
Introductory Courses
Sports Massage – 20 Hours
This course covers techniques for pre-event, post-event and during-training massage. Students learn fundamentals of assessment for particular injuries and how to effectively apply techniques to the athlete. Stretching techniques are covered in detail—Static, Active Isolated, and PNF approaches to flexibility.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz Energy Therapies – 40 Hours
Review and assessment of alternative therapies that come under the general heading of "energy work." More detailed introductory topics include Polarity Therapy, Therapeutic Touch, Shiatsu Therapy, and Chinese Medicine/Acupressure.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.Specialty Topics
Pregnant and Infant Massage – 8 Hours
Pregnancy massage covers client positioning and contraindications along with basic pregnancy massage techniques.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.
Geriatric Massage – 4 Hours
Geriatric massage emphasizes how our elderly population is in great need of touch therapy and how to modify learned techniques in an approriate manner.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.
Hydrotherapy – 8 Hours
The use of water in any of its many forms such as ice massage, steam, inhalation, baths, water aerobics, and many others.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.
Trigger Point Therapy – 8 Hours
This class teaches the student practitioner to identify trigger points, and learn to isolate and diffuse these points in sore muscles to provide long-lasting effects.
Grade Criteria: Written quiz.
