Washington Massage Therapist Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

This state of the art program, offered by our accredited school partners, is delivered in a blended curriculum capturing the best of the instructor-supervised online course experience as well as instructor based classroom experience. Students will be prepared for state licensure and professional practice. Comprehensive bioscience and theory courses provide students with the necessary knowledge to apply to the direct hands on massage techniques that are studied. The faculty instructing this program consists of veteran therapists and educators that have a passion to share this exciting body of work.

In addition to the program requirements, the following will need to be complete to qualify for Licensure as a massage therapist in the state of Washington:

1. CPR and First Aid is also required from the American Red Cross and American Heart Association to satisfy licensure application.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

Anatomy and Physiology:
This course provides an overview of the anatomical structures and physiology of the human body. The course discusses each body system in terms of the major anatomical structures and functions and explains how each system participates in homeostasis of the body. This course provides students with the fundamental concepts and applications of kinesiology for massage practice. The class covers basic kinesiology principles as they apply to musculoskeletal anatomy and neuromuscular physiology. It emphasizes practical applications for hands-on practice, biomechanics applications for activities of daily living, and whole-body patterns in posture and gait. Students will practice applying kinesiology principles to therapeutic massage methods through a number of experiential exercises designed to keep the students engaged and help them learn through the body as well as the mind.

Pathology:
Pathology is an interactive course that investigates a wide variety of health conditions commonplace in today’s society, and in particular those that massage therapists and bodyworkers commonly work with in practice. The course discusses selected major pathologies, including disease definitions and causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and possible treatments of each systemic disease, while musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is highlighted for the massage therapist. The positive effects that therapeutic massage and bodywork offer are also considered. Finally, the course discusses common issues and changes that occur in each body system throughout the lifespan.

Theory of Massage & Bodywork:
Students will learn the entire theoretical and scientific basis for each style of massage & bodywork and be prepared to apply that knowledge throughout their professional practice. An overview of the history of massage is considered to give students a historical understanding of the origins of massage and bodywork and insight as to how contemporary therapeutic modalities have developed over time. Client preparation, draping, and product options to be used during treatments are all addressed in order to prepare therapists for practical applications. Finally, the effects and benefits, as well as the contraindications and indications are analyzed to ensure professional competency and client safety. This course is a complete overview to prepare you for your continued studies as a massage therapist.

Swedish Massage:
This course explores the fundamental skills of massage therapy. It serves to orient practitioners in training to become comfortable and familiar in human therapeutic touch, as well as to solidify a foundation that will continually be added to throughout your career. The practice of Traditional Swedish Massage will be instrumental and serve as a foundation for each student as they progress through the program, and body mechanics will be instructed to ensure ergonomic and technique efficiency in order to have an optimal effect on client pathologies and conditions. Upon completion of this course, each student will be competent to perform a full body therapeutic massage.

Hydrotherapy:
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in health and healing practices. The trio of water, massage, and exercise is a natural combination found all over the globe in bathhouses, spas, and health clubs. This course explores some of the more common hydrotherapy methods and hot and cold applications within the scope of massage therapy. Topics discussed are the history and terms, practical applications, mechanisms, indications and contraindications, temperatures, incomplete and unfavorable reactions, physical modalities, necessary equipment, and cryotherapy. Used in conjunction with massage, hydrotherapy can enhance the effectiveness of an individual treatment session. This course will educate you when and how to appropriately to apply the techniques available.

Clinical Practicum:
Students will complete 50-hours of documented massage therapy treatments in order to complete the program. This allows students to directly apply the knowledge and experience in the classroom to real life situations, so that learning can be realized, constructive feedback can be shared, practical applications refined, and continued development for each student as a massage therapist.

The Business and Ethics of Massage Therapy:
This course provides excellent interactive instruction about the many facets of the massage therapy business. Instruction focuses on the basic knowledge and skills of business and professional development, including career path opportunities, writing resumes, goal setting, business plans, self-care, and job interview comportment. Students will also have the knowledge and tools for basic entrepreneurship, including marketing for massage therapy. This exciting component of your massage therapy training allows you the opportunity to see firsthand what it is like to work in a clinic and interact directly with other therapists in the workplace. Students will also have the opportunity to work as a receptionist, spa back, and spa attendant prior to completion of the program. This valuable workplace learning environment exposes the full perspective of the massage therapy business, and creates the ability to engage with real employers.
Finally, the course emphasizes utmost professionalism and ethical behavior. Students will gain valuable insight about the industry and business controls in the marketplace, and gain competency in their ability to become state-licensed as a professional massage therapist. Ethics and professionalism is extremely important with any therapeutic practice and these topics focus on the real-world ethical challenges professionals’ face, providing clear rationales for ethical behavior. The content encourages introspection, conversation, critical thinking, and problem solving, and promotes meaningful conversation about ethical concepts and dilemmas.

HIV/AIDS:
This course follows this disease from its inception through to present trends. Therapists will discover how to effectively and safely work with people who have this virus. Topics include the etiology and epidemiology, transmission and infection control, testing and counseling, clinical manifestations and treatment, legal and technical issues, and psychosocial issues. This is great information for any profession, and particularly relevant for the massage therapist due to the direct physical contact that takes place.

Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!