Therapeutic Massage - Technical Diploma

Students gain skills that lead to success in college and employment. This course encourages students to develop a growth mindset and make wise choices. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)

Students will learn the environmental considerations and equipment necessary to provide treatment, hygiene and safety, and legal requirements of therapeutic massage. Students will begin hands on training by mastering foundational skills such as draping and positioning, self-care and body mechanics, and basic massage techniques.

This course introduces students to the anatomy and function of the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. Students learn the names, locations, insertion points, and actions of many of the muscles of the human anatomy. Furthermore, students apply what they learn and develop the essential palpation skills to identify the bones and muscles that comprise the musculoskeletal system. Students also acquire necessary skills for practical range of motion movements.

Students will develop skills in assessment, record keeping, and documentation necessary to provide therapeutic massage. Students will expand their knowledge of massage techniques to include myofascial and deep tissue. Students will begin their clinical experience on assigned dates. Students must hold a current American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR card. (Prerequisite: 30-537-101, Therapeutic Massage 1, 10-537-120 Musculoskeletal Anatomy For The Massage Therapist)

Human body systems, structural formation. (Prerequisite: 2.6 GPA OR Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 15 OR 10-838-105, Intro to Reading and Study Skills OR equivalent).

In this course, students will be introduced to disorders that can occur in major body systems with their signs, symptoms and associated pharmacology. They will learn the types of diseases that affect each of the major body systems and more specifically the signs and symptoms of selected pathologies and disorders that could prove to be a contraindication to massage therapy. Students will also gain a foundational understanding of medical terminology, a basic understanding of pharmacology and the possible interactions between medications and massage.

Provides students the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of running a massage clinic. In the business section, topics covered include: ethics and legal requirements, national and state certification and licensing requirements; business startup and management; marketing and financial management. (Co-requisite: 30-537-111, Specialized Therapeutic Massage )

Building upon foundation knowledge from musculoskeletal anatomy, students deepen their understanding with an emphasis on muscle groups used to perform specific actions. Students directly apply this knowledge through the practice of ROM, postural and gait assessments to identify muscles involved in specific injuries. Students learn how to integrate assessment techniques into a treatment plan for more comprehensive approach to client care. (Prerequisite: 10-537-120, Musculoskeletal Anatomy for the Massage Therapist)

Basic American values of justice and equality by teaching vocabulary, history of immigration/conquest, transcultural communication, legal liability, multicultural majority/minority relations, ageism, sexism, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled/ADA. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Rdg score greater/equal to 250 AND Writing score greater/equal to 237; OR ACT Rdg score greater/equal to 16 AND English greater/equal to 15; OR 10-831-107, College Reading and Writing with a B or better.)