THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
A one-year course designed to train professional massage therapists who can gain employment in the National Health Service, occupational health departments, health projects, and private practice. Our job is to train you in:
- Therapeutic skills – so you know how to help the client
- Assessment skills – so you know when and where to safely and effectively apply these skills.
The course first taught 25 years ago was born out of our experience and understanding that touch has a powerful healing effect. We do not focus on the person’s symptoms or problems as if they were detached from the person themselves, or something that the therapist must immediately get rid of. We see that symptoms and problems can become our medicines and solutions when we know how to understand and work with them. We also believe that personal presence is the key to balancing energy and re-aligning body structures When approached this way, treatments dynamically educate people, building strength both physical and mental, which enables change to take place.
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
Massage communicates care and self worth to your client. It also brings their attention
to physical and personal tension and “dis-ease” in their body.
So you can do this too, we teach you:
- A clear foundation in anatomy, physiology and contra-indications
- Case history taking, treatment planning and tactile diagnosis
- How to use touch and strokes to affect the tissues, educating and inviting the client to connect to their body and self.
The course combines traditional Swedish strokes and oriental techniques, and incorporates the principles behind soft tissue connective therapies such as ortho-bionomy, neuromuscular re-education and Qi Gong. Theory is integrated with practical work and demonstrations. Information is presented with design, style and timing that makes it relevant and easy for you to take in. By completing this course, you will develop a deep understanding for how disease and personal problems affect the body, mind and emotions. You will also learn to respect what it is to be ill or have personal problems, and what it really takes to heal and change. You will be able to work with and develop the body-mind interaction in a realistic and respectful way, and recognizing that it is how the client and therapist interact that achieves results. In creating this massage course, we have drawn on many disciplines and approaches, not limiting ourselves to one rigid philosophy. The result is a process that’s personal and practical, and, most importantly, one that works!
COURSE STRUCTURE
DURATION
One year
FORMAT
Ten two-day blocks, usually weekends, roughly one month apart. The training days on weekends start at 9.00am and run till around 6.00pm on Saturdays and 5.30pm on Sundays.
HOMEWORK
Three full body treatments each week plus two reflexology treatments Two pieces of written work each month
ASSESSMENT
Satisfactory completion of all homework Assessed client case history and treatment Two written examination papers,
2.5 hours each:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Theory of massage
We expect you to attend all teaching days and make up any missed time. Completing all practical and written work is essential for graduation.
QUALIFICATION
Diploma in Therapeutic Massage.
SUMMARY OF COURSE SYLLABUS
PRACTICAL WORK
Development of correct posture in the practitioner, facial work, correct positioning of the patient/client and introduction to lymphatic drainage. The five basic strokes of Swedish massage: effleurage, petrissage, frictions, tapotement and vibrations. Colon drainage work on joints. Introduction to deep tissue work, spinal work, massage of pregnant woman. Zone therapy on the back, personal connection work, Reflexology – foot and hand Tactile diagnosis
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
The cell and its relationship to bodily function and homeostatis. Spinal column, bones, joints and muscles. Respiratory system heart, circulation and nervous system. Skin, digestive system, urinary system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, ears and eyes.
THEORY OF MASSAGE
Relationship with the client and professional ethics. Zone therapy of the back. The breakdown of health and the disease process. Emotional holding and release. Taking a case history and treatment planning. The obese patient/client. Contra indications to massage. Introduction to Chinese theory: the five elements and the law of three; their integration with anatomy and western theory. Uses of the five basic strokes. The importance of the personal development of the practitioner. Use of oils and creams. Setting up a clinic and practice management. Reflexology foot and hand.
FURTHER TRAINING IN MASSAGE AT THE COLLEGE
CERTIFICATE COURSE IN ADVANCED BODYWORK
Held over three weekends, details on application.
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