 |
"Open your hands to the future" |
Description of the Basic Massage Therapy Program
The Basic Program consists of the 500 hours required by the Texas Department of State Health Services to become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Texas. Our 500-hour program is designed to prepare students for the National exam (NCETM) given by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Upon passing the National exam, you become a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Texas, as well as Nationally certified.
Basic Massage Therapy Program Hours
1. Classroom work of 450 hours is covered in a structured format.
Learning Units
Swedish Massage
Trigger pt & Fascial Therapy
Muscle Energy Techniques
Pregnancy Massage
Chair Massage
Anatomy & Physiology
Kinesiology
Pathology
Health & Hygiene
Business & Ethics
Hydrotherapy
Total
|
Hours
125
45
18
6
6
75
50
40
20
45
20
450
|
|
To receive information about the 500 Hour Basic Massage Therapy Program fill out our easy On-line Form
|
2. The Student Internship of 50 hours is self-paced and requires the student to complete 50 hours of massage.
Description of the Learning Units
Swedish Massage (125 hours)
Swedish massage forms the basis of the contemporary Western approach to massage. This course includes history, the importance of touch, contraindications, body mechanics, basic strokes (effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, vibration, Swedish movements). Our approach is to be precise and thorough in teaching soft tissue manipulation, while cultivating mindfulness regarding the body, mind, and spirit of the client.
Trigger Point and Fascial Therapy (45 hours)
It is currently estimated that at some point in their lives approximately 90% of all Americans will experience some sort of myofascial pain that has its roots in some dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. The successful treatment of myofascial pain rests on a singular skill. In this class, you will learn the ability to disccern your client's needs through touch.
Muscle Energy Techniques (18 hours)
MET methods employ the client's own muscular effort to achieve changes in soft tissues. An understanding of proprioception and neuromuscular interaction and applying these forces will be examined.
Pregnancy Massage (6 hours)
A pregnant woman's body goes through tremendous changes through the childbirth experience. Many of these changes can be physically taxing and uncomfortable. These special clients require therapists with special skills. In this class you will learn the skills needed to provide a safe, relaxing massage to your client during this special time.
Chair Massage (6 hours)
Chair massage was brought to prominence by David Palmer. His vision was to make massage safe, affordable, and available to anyone, anytime, anywhere. In this class you will learn special techniques for the back, neck and shoulders for a client in the seated position.
Human Anatomy (50 hours) and Physiology (25 hours)
Pehr Henrik Ling, the founder of Swedish massage, said "We ought not to consider the organs of the body as the lifeless forms of a mechanical mass, but as the living, active instruments of the soul." We take this approach to the study of anatomy and physiology. We consider not only the mechanics of each system, but also its role in life and the positive impact massage therapy may have on it. The systems covered include the muscular, skeletal, integumentary, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems.
Kinesiology (50 hours)
Students learn muscle structure and function including origin, insertion and action, as well as joint types, muscular movemnet and posture analysis.
Pathology (40 hours)
Throughout their career, a massage therapist can expect to be confronted with numerous conditions that they have never seen and probably vaguely heard about. It is the responsibility of every massage therapist to know when their work can be helpful and when the client needs to be sent elsewhere for relief. This class will teach you to make decisions quickly and accurately about whether or not massage is appropriate for your clinet.
Hydrotherapy (20 hours)
Students learn theory and practical use of water of various temperatures, in solid, liquid and gaseous forms, for cleansing and vitalizing effects. Students also learn contraindications and the specific physiological effects of the various hydrotherapy techniques, which include: dry brushing, herbal wrap, hot and cold applications, and contrast baths.
Health and Hygiene (20 hours)
Includes stress management, human relationships, universal precautions, sanitary conditions, personal hygiene, therapeutic exercise, first aid, and CPR.
Business Practices & Ethics (45 hours)
Students review local and state law regarding massage therapy in Texas. Various career paths are explored as well as tyoes of business organizations and tax laws. Students put together a business plan including career path, goals, marketing materials and financial plan. Job acquisition skills such as resume and interviewing are examined.
Internship Program (50 hours)
In this course the student will actually function as a massage therapist, making appointments, taking a health history, and performing massage techniques on clients. Each student is asked to perform fift (50) hours of "hands on" massage. Chart notes will be reviewed and critiqued by the Clinic Supervisor. Internship practice is a required part of the training program. This allows the student to experience "real world" challenges and with support, can increase a student's confidence and decision-making abilities. The internship is an extremely useful preparation to becoming a therapist, as we learn best by doing.
Discussions with the Clinic Supervisor will include topics such as: SOAP notes, technique application, client responses, and other matters pertaining to the internship experience.
Total hours required for the Basic Swedish Massage Therapy Program is 500 hours
Enrollment Periods & Class Times
The Basic 500-hour Massage Therapy Program class times and enrollment periods for 2008.
Morning Program
Starting Monday, April 7, 2008
Ending September 15, 2008
6 month duration plus internship
Monday thru Friday
8:30am – 12:30 pm
Morning Program
Starting Monday, July 14, 2008
Ending December 22, 2008
6 month duration plus internship
Monday thru Friday
8:30am – 12:30 pm
Morning Program
Starting Monday, September 22, 2008
Ending March 10, 2009
6 month duration plus internship
Monday thru Friday
8:30am – 12:30 pm
Evening Program
Starting Monday, May 19, 2008
Ending February 25, 2009
9 month duration plus internship
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
6:30pm – 10:30 pm
Evening Program
Starting Monday, October 20, 2008
Ending July 23, 2009
9 month duration plus internship
Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday
6:30pm – 10:30 pm
When the class work is successfully completed; the student is eligible to begin the self-paced Internship portion of the program. The 50-hour internship can be completed in a month, depending on the student's availability and client availability. Students are given 3 months to complete the internship requirement.
|
|
|
