SCTS-100 Self-Care, Body Mechanics, and Sustainability
This course introduces the concepts, methods, and techniques for analyzing movement, body compensation patterns, and postural distortions in a massage therapist’s own movement, posture, and body. Students learn how to strengthen, stretch, prevent injury, and discover how to use their own bodies effectively in a healthy, sustainable way to ensure longevity in their massage career. This course will continue throughout the training program to ensure students build into their lifestyle daily patterns of self-care, injury prevention, and healthy, habitual body mechanics. Strength training, full body stretching, Qigong, hand/wrist exercises, and more will be taught to provide principles of ‘Care of Self’ while caring for others.
HBS-101 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Musculoskeletal Anatomy presents an overview of the muscle and skeletal system of the body. This course provides a functional education for the Massage Therapist. Lecture and demonstration are followed by students discussing, identifying, and palpating components of the human musculoskeletal system in class with chapter tests and final exam as part of the training.
HBS-102 Anatomy and Physiology
This course includes lecture, discussion, demonstration, and identification of the components of the organ systems that make up the human body. Students learn medical terminology while studying anatomy and physiology pertaining to individual organ systems and to the human body as a whole, with chapter tests and final exam as part of the training.
HBS-103 Practical Anatomy – Anatomy in Clay
Practical Anatomy emphasizes the study of the most common anatomical areas of the human body which a Massage Therapist will analyze and treat through hands-on review of musculoskeletal anatomy. Students solidify their knowledge of muscle origin, insertion, and action in a practical working format, preparing students for clinical interactions with clients. Work with anatomical models utilizing clay representing muscles is emphasized. Origin and insertion quizzes and testing will be a regular portion of this class, ensuring students have a deep understanding of the human musculoskeletal system.
HBS-104 Kinesiology
Kinesiology is an introduction to the study of human movement. Classes include lecture, discussion, demonstration, and identification of the components of the human musculoskeletal system as it relates to movement. The class combines kinesiology, theory, and hands-on practice. Students are given tools for posture and gait analysis. This in-depth body structure assessment allows students to begin analyzing abnormalities in body structure. Chapter tests and final exam is a part of this training.
Prerequisite: HBS-102 Anatomy and Physiology
HBS-105 Medical Terminology
This course discusses the importance of medical language and introduces basic word parts, concepts, vocabulary, and lexicon as applied to medical terminology. Students also learn about common organization and terms used in Massage Therapy record keeping including system-specific terms used in massage therapy practice.
TCM-100 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Theory
This course introduces the historical, theoretical, and philosophical concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Students will learn about meridians, commonly used acupressure points, Chinese medicine organ theory, and the restoration of yin yang balance. Organ physiology and causes of disease in TCM is reviewed as well as the inner connections between body, mind, and spirit. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Theory is based on treating the root of a problem rather than just symptoms or disorders. TCM includes an overview of acupressure, herbal medicine, TuiNa, Nutrition, and TaiChi/Qigong exercise. This course also covers an introduction to herbology and an overview of herbal medicine as it fits into the framework of TCM.
TCM-200 Traditional Chinese Medicine Practical
The course teaches students the methods and techniques used in applying Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to professional Massage Therapy. Hands-on techniques include an introduction to TuiNa, Cupping, Reflexology, Gua Sha, and Nutrition & Homeopathics.
MT-100 Swedish Massage Techniques
Swedish Massage Techniques is the basis of most of massage done around the world. Students will learn the history, proper terminology, and effects of massage techniques based on traditional Swedish Massage. Students develop skills for assessment and massage session planning based on client intake, histories, assessment findings, client goals, and client response to application of massage and bodywork techniques. Students learn about flow and congruency while learning self-care strategies and body mechanics to enhance bodywork and massage therapy skills. Swedish massage hands-on exam and written exams will ensure competency.
MT-103 Chair Massage Techniques
Chair Massage is often used to provide fully clothed massage therapy to people at work or their office, at sporting events, conferences or in other public settings. It is also a valuable way to build your client base and market your professional massage therapy services and skills. Chair massage requires a unique set of skills that differs from a traditional table-based massage. This course covers the concepts, methods and techniques that teach students how to perform an exceptional chair massage protocol with varying duration options, while ensuring the Massage Therapist’s safety with an emphasis on healthy body mechanics. Hands-on exam includes a pre-arranged ‘on-site chair massage clinic’ event to practice and work with actual clients at an off-site location.
HBS-106 Pathology
Pathology is the study of dysfunction within the body. Students learn signs and symptoms of various conditions encountered in the clinical setting. Building on knowledge and skills of anatomy and physiology, students learn to identify and analyze common conditions. Pathology provides the skills to assess the appropriateness of massage for the client.
MT-104 Special Populations
This course gives an introduction of the benefits, effects, indications, and contraindications of massage to special population clients such as pregnant women, veterans, people with disabilities, or cancer patients. Specific massage techniques and methods related to special populations will also be covered in this class.
E-101 Psychology of Client Personalities
This course provides a brief overview of the traits and characteristics of personality, and how these traits can inform and optimize professional therapeutic massage practice. Application of concepts to customer service and marketing to specific personality types is also discussed. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a fun and interactive exercise that helps them discover new ideas about their own personalities while learning how to relate more effectively with their clinic/practice clients, fellow students or co-workers, and the development of professional relationships with their future clients.
MT-201 Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy I
This hands-on course will take the student into the core of clinical massage therapy. Training will focus on neuromuscular massage and trigger point therapy by manipulating soft tissues of the body using specific hands-on techniques the aim to alleviate chronic muscle pain, nervous system disorders and acute problems. Theory and map of trigger points, muscle function, physiological laws, and anatomy palpation of the full back and posterior neck comprise the core of this Deep Tissue massage course. Students expand their knowledge by increasing their understanding of anatomy and physiology as applied to deep tissue work. They learn how to assess and analyze their client’s posture, spinal extension/flexion, range of motion, gait, and overall body symmetry. Students will engage in a case study assignment for Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy I, II, III courses.
Prerequisite: MT-100 Swedish Massage
MT-202 Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy II
This hands-on course is a continuation of clinical massage therapy techniques. Continuing with training in neuromuscular massage and trigger point therapy to alleviate chronic muscle pain, nervous system disorders and acute problems. Theory and map of trigger points, muscle function, physiological laws, and anatomy palpation of the hips and lower extremities. Students expand their knowledge by increasing their understanding of anatomy and physiology as applied to this area of deep tissue work. They learn how to assess and analyze their client’s flexibility, range of motion, gait, and overall symmetry pertaining to the hips/lower body, legs, and feet.
Prerequisite: MT-201 Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy I
MT-203 Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy III
This hands-on course is a continuation of clinical massage therapy techniques and advancement into full body assessment and outcome of techniques learned so far. Continuing with training in neuromuscular massage and trigger point therapy to alleviate chronic muscle pain, nervous system disorders and acute problems with the focus on the upper extremities, chest and anterior neck and head. Theory and map of trigger points, muscle function, physiological laws, and anatomy palpation continues while using knowledge and hands-on learning from MT-201 and MT-202 to continue into this final course adding in focused areas as mentioned above. Students expand their knowledge by increasing their understanding of anatomy and physiology as applied to this area of deep tissue work as they learn how to assess and analyze their client’s range of motion, flexibility, dexterity, and overall symmetry pertaining to the upper body, arms, hands, chest, neck, and head.
Prerequisite: MT-202 Deep Tissue Massage/Trigger Point Therapy II
MT-204 Myofascial Release
This course examines different applications of manual therapy and enhances knowledge of this unique and gentle type of pain-relief therapy. Students learn and apply these special techniques to treat chronic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, adhesions, sciatica, and many of women’s health issues. Students gain a basic understanding of the principles of the Myofascial system and techniques for whole body and/or site-specific treatment.
MT-205 Therapeutic Protocols and Spa Protocols
Central to any solid professional Massage Therapy practice is the ability to deliver consistent, quality massage services and treatments. Technical skills alone do not offer clients the experience they are searching for. To address both of these needs in this course, the principles and practices of both therapeutic and spa related protocols (hands-on forms) are explored and practiced. Some examples of the Spa treatments discussed or taught are: Hot Stone Massage, Thalassotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Body Scrubs and Dry Brushing. Some of the examples of Therapeutic treatments discussed or taught are Sinus Relief Protocols, Headache Relief Protocols, Carpal Tunnel and/or Hand Injury Protocols, Gua Sha Facial Toning Protocol.
Prerequisite: MT-100 Swedish Massage Techniques, TCM-200, MT-201 Deep Tissue/TPT 1
E-102 Qigong Community Leader
The Qigong Community Leader certification course is a training program consisting of a thorough introduction to Qigong as used for therapeutic purposes, structural improvement, personal self-care and as a product to share for local or community wellness sustainability. At the end of this course, students who demonstrate proficiency will be awarded the Qigong Community Leader certification. This certification is useful for people who wish to lead Qigong classes in their community, medical center, office, or school. Qigong Certification (along with the Massage Therapist Licensure) also offers options to work with individuals in private Qigong or Massage Therapy sessions with the goal to improve specific conditions related to their physical, emotional, or mental state. Study during this certification helps achieve this improvement through movement, meditation, and breath components, expanding the student’s capacity for treatment offerings as a Massage Therapist.
MT-206 Workshopping – Clinic Peer Reviews
Critical to developing exceptional massage therapy skills is the ability to give and receive feedback and constructive criticism. This course offers students, throughout their clinical work, a forum with which to discuss their client’s conditions (anonymously with no identifying information). Student’s will present conditions to the class group, and under an instructor/facilitator, “workshop” the challenging condition, working toward a solution that is more efficient, effective, and elegant which all students can then apply to their next clinic clients. This workshop course is an invaluable tool to increase students’ proficiency and confidence as a Massage Therapist.
BLE-101 Business
This course focuses on the importance of a sound business practice and professional image. Marketing, advertising, customer service, business plans, resumes, risk management, job seeking, mock interviews, and how to start a new practice are also covered.
BLE-102 Ethics and Law
This course explores the importance of professional boundaries and complexities of ethical considerations in the hands-on healing service professions. Learn to establish a robust, appropriate framework for therapist and client professional relationships. Legal aspects of clinical practice are discussed along with current regulations and state laws.
E-103 MBLEx and Wisconsin Exam Prep
This class provides a structure for students to navigate and complete the application process for Wisconsin licensure in Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy (WI LMT). This class facilitates students completing and submitting their Wisconsin License Massage Therapist (LMT) application and helps them prepare for the two exams required for licensure: 1) WI Jurisprudence Exam, and 2) The Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). Passing both exams are required for Wisconsin State Licensure.
CPR101 First Aid/CPR/AED Training
The American Red Cross will provide their structured First Aid/CPR/AED training to students. Their revolutionary approach combines a new, game-changing educational model with the latest science-based advancements in lifesaving care. The goal of this course is to immerse students in an interactive and hands-on environment, so students leave with an understanding and mastery of lifesaving techniques and the confidence to act when moments matter.
MT-207 Integrative Massage
This course serves as the point at which students bring together the various massage methods, modalities, techniques, and practices learned up to this point in their program. The course teaches students how to combine the techniques they’ve learned into one cohesive whole and/or form with which they can grow. This includes Swedish massage, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy, and body assessment. The course is designed to help students develop a clear understanding of progressive massage therapy combined with their own creativity for client efficacy.
A-101 Student Massage Clinic
This course begins with a review and study of student clinic guidelines, policies, and procedures in preparation for required clinical hours. Students perform Swedish, relaxation and/or therapeutic deep tissue massage in clinic, cohesive to where they are in the program, and implement learned massage techniques in a professional setting. Under instructor supervision, this real-world experience helps students develop clinical massage skills, self-confidence, communication, etiquette, professional recommendations, and marketing skills. Students will be graded on and/or evaluated by client review (feedback sheets completed by clients at the end of their student/clinic massage), as well as with SOAP Notes, supervisor review, and overall performance.
A-102 Chair Massage Clinic (Onsite)
Students will perform a seated massage routine at a special off-site event within the local community under instructor supervision. This practical experience helps students further develop their public communication skills while providing an important service to the local community.
Prerequisite: MT-103 Chair Massage Techniques