Course Description

API  Anatomy and Physiology I

(40 clock hours)

The first of three courses dealing with the structure and function of the human body and mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis within.  Essential principles of human anatomy and physiology are presented, including basic chemistry, cell and tissue studies, and an overview of all the body systems with an in-depth study of the skeletal and muscular systems.

APII  Anatomy and Physiology Il

(36 clock hours)

This course is a continuation of the study of the structure and function of the human body. The integument, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic and the endocrine systems will be covered along with their functions and how they relate to massage therapy.

APIII  Anatomy and Physiology IIl

(40 clock hours)

This course is the third in a continuation of the study of structure and function of the human body.   The focus of this course are the integument, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems, their functions and how they relate to massage therapy.

PAI  Pathology I

(20 clock hours)

The first of three courses of the study of disease.  This course is focused specifically on the effects, benefits, indications and contraindications of therapeutic massage.

PAII  Pathology II

(20 clock hours)

A continuation of the study of disease and how it relates to therapeutic massage.  This course’s emphasis is on diseases, disorders and conditions of the human body, their effects, and the benefits, indications and contraindications of massage therapy.

PAIII  Pathology III

(12 clock hours)

This is the third in a series of three courses studying disease and their effects, benefits, indications with contraindications with special emphasis on pharmaceuticals and their contraindications related to massage therapy.

BPI  Business Practices I

(12 clock hours)

The focus of this course is on professional ethics for massage therapists.  Preparing students with the awareness and communication skills necessary to develop and maintain professional relationships with their clients and develop personal and professional boundaries.  Students will discuss the various situations they may face as professionals and ethical dilemma’s they may be presented with and how to effectively and confidently handle them.  

BPII  Business Practices II

(16 clock hours)

This course is continued from BP1 discussing the professional ethics for massage therapist with the emphasis on interpersonal communication.   The psychology of pain and the emotional component of bodywork, developing rapport with clients and other health professionals, communicating clearly as respect to boundaries and what clients can expect from treatment will all be covered.  Developing empathy and listening skills as well as discussing the need to work within our scope of practice will be covered as well.

BPIII  Business Practices III

(20 clock hours)

In this course students will explore career options and discuss personal and professional goals for their future career as a licensed massage therapist.  Students will develop a business plan and learn marketing, networking and public relations strategies to meet their goals.  Financial responsibilities, taxes, insurance and record keeping will be covered in this course.

KBI Kinesiology & Biomechanics

(32 clock hours)

This course looks at the specifics of the musculoskeletal system with the students gaining an understanding of various muscles, including origins, insertions, agonistic and antagonistic muscles.  They will also study ligaments and joints and how they all relate to each other in movement.

KBII  Kinesiology & Biomechanics II

(28 clock hours)

This class is the second in a series of three and continues the study of the muscles of the human body.  Memorization of the origin and insertions of  superficial and deep muscles is highly stressed as well as understanding the physics of joint function.

KBIII  Kinesiology & Biomechanics III

(40 clock hours)

This class is the third in a series of three.  Learning about the specifics of the musculoskeletal system is continued with emphasis on the physics of joint function and it’s relation to the practice of massage therapy.

TPI   Theory & Practice of Therapeutic Massage

(60 clock hours)

The students will learn how to perform a full body massage as well as gain an understanding of the physiological and psychological effects of massage.  Hygiene, proper draping and biomechanics will be covered laying the foundation upon which the advanced classes will build.

MS   Mechanics and Strokes

(8 Clock Hours)

This class introduces students to the basics of Swedish Massage.  Students will study and practice specific movements becoming comfortable with each before putting them together in a full body massage.  The effects and indications for each massage stroke will also be covered in this class.

TPII  Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage ll

(52 clock hours)

This class focuses more deeply into the more clinical applications of bodywork.  Several clinical styles of massage will be introduced that are effective in treating the postural muscles and fascia.  Through the use of Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Work and Myofascial Release, the emphasis will be on creating an overall experience as well as an effective treatment session.

TPIll  Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage

(62 clock hours)

This class is a continuation from Clinical I and will focus on the applications of massage therapy for pathologies/injuries.  Students learn how to assess and treat specific conditions through advanced Neuromuscular Therapy, Cross Fiber Friction, Myofascial Release, Range of Motion testing and Muscle Energy Techniques.  Students will gain the confidence and knowledge to effectively treat clients in a clinical setting.

MT  Medical Terminology

(12 clock hours)

Designed to help the students understand and become comfortable with Medical Terminology used in Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology classes.  Students learn Greek and Latin derivatives and how they combine with other prefixes and suffixes to make up the Medical Terminology used today.

TMI  Therapeutic Modalities I

(28 Clock Hours)

This course is one of three courses offering instruction in many therapeutic modalities that can be added to any massage therapy practice or upon further education, turned into a specialty for a massage practice.  Therapeutic Modalities 1 will cover Hydrotherapy as a healing agent as related to massage therapy. Students will learn the basic theory and practice, as well as indications and contraindications of this modality.  The students will also be taking a class on stretching, the benefits, indications and contraindication and how to introduce it into massage sessions.

TMII  Therapeutic Modalities ll

(48 clock hours)

This course offers instruction in many therapeutic modalities that can be added to a massage therapy practice.  Providing a broad base of knowledge prepares students for employment and gives them the ability to treat a variety clients and the confidence to meet their needs.  Seated massage, pre-natal massage will be introduced in this course.  Day spa treatments such as body wraps, body scrubs, hot stone massage and aromatherapy will be demonstrated and practiced .

TMIIl  Therapeutic Modalities IIl

(48 clock hours)

This course is the second in a series of two.  Several therapeutic modalities will be covered providing students with a broad range of exposure and an opportunity to discover what direction they would like to take their career when they graduate.  Sports massage, movement therapy and energy bodywork and geriatric massage are all covered in this course.

SSP  Sanitation and Safety Practices

(8 Clock Hours)

This course discusses hygiene and provides an overview of the germ theory, how germs grow and spread and about proper sanitation for the massage therapist.

BE  Business Ethics and Laws

(8 Clock hours)

This class covers the Washington State laws for massage therapy and it’s licensing standards as well as laws regarding proper and legal business practices.  Professional ethics and standards that apply to a massage therapy practice will be a focus as well.

FFM  Family and Friends

(100 Clock Hours)Students are required to perform 100 supervised practice hours of massage on family and friends throughout the program. This class provides the opportunity for massage therapy students to develop the palpatory skills essential in becoming an effective Practitioner. 

Therapeutic Modalities

Seated Massage

The student will learn how to give a 15 minute on-site massage utilizing their basic Swedish Massage techniques and pressure point work.

Pre-natal Massage

This class covers the basics in giving a safe, comfortable and relaxing massage to mothers-to-be.  The benefits, indications, contraindications and specific considerations for each trimester of pregnancy will be covered. Students will have the opportunity to experience giving a massage with and without a pregnancy table.

Elder Care Massage

Working with the elderly requires a special understanding of their needs and the massage techniques that are beneficial.  The social aspect of aging will be covered and the role of massage therapy in assisting, socially engaging and comforting the elderly.  Client assessment as well as indications and contraindications will be addressed.

Sports Massage

This class consists of techniques designed to reduce injury, alleviate inflammation and reduce the soreness caused by training and competition.  Pre-event and post-event massage will be demonstrated and practiced as well as anti-cramping techniques, proper triage, indications and contraindications for sports massage.

Day Spa Services

Students will be introduced to the “spa culture.”  The attention to detail taken to create a spa environment will be a focus as students learn several body care modalities.  Including, body scrubs, body wraps, dry brush treatments, hot stone massage and more.

Stretching

This class will discuss the value and the application of Stretching in a massage practice.

Energy Therapy

Energy Therapy will be discussed in various forms and the practice application of Polarity Therapy and Reiki will be practiced by the class.