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This course teaches the normal and basic functions of the human body in order for the student to relate the information to the major body systems. These systems include the integumentary, skeletal, endocrine, muscular, cardiac/circulatory, lymphatic/immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive. Students learn the normal, bony structures of the human body, including the location of bony landmarks and joints. Students also learn the arterial and venous pathways, nerve pathways and endangerment sites. Upon successful completion of this course students have a practical knowledge of anatomy and physiology and its relationship to massage therapy (153 hours over 34 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation - 6 semester hours in Biology, Health Science or related disciplines.
This course introduces the student to many of the business aspects of a professional massage practice. Included are: business setup, developing, designing, and establishing career objectives, advertising and networking. Students become familiar with business practices necessary to become successful in the field of massage therapy . Upon successful completion of this course students will be aware of the range of employment possibilities and shall have an opportunity to achieve their personal career goals (18 hours over 4 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation -1 semester hour in Massage Therapy.
Introduction to Massage Clinic
While working in the clinic, students will perform a basic, full body, 50 minute, evaluative massage using Swedish techniques. Each session will then be documented in the computer and students will learn how to reschedule their clients on the computer. The goal of this first Clinic level is to allow students the opportunity to work on improving their communication and assessment skills. Students will be able to explain and demonstrate the basic massage strokes, proper pressure and oil control. Clinic 1 is where students begin to build a relationship with their clients and they will gain confidence in their client communication skills.
Working at the Clinic 2 level allows students to integrate many of the various techniques learned in the Massage Techniques class into their Swedish massage routine. Clinic 2 encourages the students to evaluate their client needs to determine where and when to use other massage techniques. Students document all massage sessions in the computer. Students are able to explain and demonstrate the various techniques learned in the Massage techniques class to their clients.
Students working in the Clinic 3 level will perform Oriental Massage Therapies on their clients. Students perform a hara diagnosis on their clients and will then be able to perform an Oriental massage routine using the correct hand and body movements and meridian flows. All sessions are documented on the computer. Students at this level educate their clients about the advantages of Oriental massage and are able to explain the basic theory of the Oriental healing arts to their clients.
Students working at the Clinic Level 4, Medical Massage, are able to effectively treat a variety of conditions using the techniques and routines taught in the treatment plans for massage. Students become familiar with medical and/or chiropractic diagnosis and specific treatment plans. Students refer clients to other health professionals, as needed, and are able to document a massage session on the computer. Students are able to understand and explain various conditions and recommend a treatment plan for those conditions.
For each of the four Clinic components, student are required to complete a clinic report and 15 hands-on therapy sessions before they advance to the next Clinic component. All appointments must be hands-on therapy sessions. No student will be given credit for an unscheduled appointment.
Students are graded, based on both their professional and practical skills, for each completed clinic appointment. Students receive a grade for their clinic papers and reports. The average of their Clinic grades (Introduction to Clinic, Massage Techniques, Oriental Massage and Medical Massage Clinics) determine their final grade.
Students are required to complete 60 therapy sessions in the clinic. Hours of clinic operation are subject to change, as class size will vary. Current Student Clinic hours are: 9:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Saturday.
*N-PONSI recommendation - 1 semester hour as an internship/clinical in Massage Therapy.
This course includes nine hours of American Red Cross training in CPR and First Aid. Other classes will cover Universal Precautions and infection control, HIV and AIDS, communicable diseases including TB and Hepatitis A, B and C, documentation, mental health issues, child abuse and domestic violence, multicultural diversity, safety in the clinical setting, personal hygiene, hydrotherapy, common drugs and their clinical implications, product information, including the use of mechanical vibrators, and the use and effects of powders, oils and lotions in massage therapy. Upon completion of this course students will be able to work safely in a massage therapy setting and understand some of the most common outside influences effecting their massage treatments. Students will be familiar with equipment, sterilization, and aseptic application (76.5 hours over 17 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation - 2 semester hours in Health Education or related disciplines
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the history, theory, and practice of massage therapy with emphasis on indications, benefits, extreme cautions and practical techniques of massage application. Students learn to perform a basic 50 minute evaluative massage routine using all five strokes that will prepare them to work in the Student Clinic. The use of computers to document therapies and schedule client appointments is taught to the students. Each class follows the format of lecture, demonstration and student exchange (108 hours over 24 classes).* N-PONSI recommendation - 4 semester hours in Massage Therapy (2 lecture, 2 laboratory)
This course details New York State law as regulated by the NYSHED, Department of Massage Therapy. Students have an in-depth overview of the laws governing New York State Licensed Massage Therapists. Discussions also focus on the ethical conduct and professional behavior that is expected of a Licensed Massage Therapist (4.5 hours over 1 class).
This course introduces the students to many of the recognized techniques of massage therapy. Students learn the history and basic theories of the techniques presented, as well as how to integrate portions of these techniques into their massage routines. Students are encouraged to expand their knowledge of techniques after graduation. Each class presents a different technique and includes a hands-on, practical session. Examples of the techniques to be presented include: neuromuscular techniques, cranio-sacral therapy, myofascial therapy, reflexology, and myofascial release. Each class follows the format of lecture, demonstration and student exchange (108 hours over 24 classes).
In this course students learn to integrate the basic massage skills to effectively treat a variety of conditions. Specific massage treatments are taught. Focus is on massage routines for individuals with a referral for a specific medical and/or chiropractic diagnosis. Students increase their awareness of health conditions that limit mobility and sensation, how the body is affected by these conditions and how massage can benefit persons with specific disorders. The instructors demonstrate and teach students how to utilize the plan of therapeutic massage routines taught in massage classes, how to modify these techniques to fit the needs of the client and how they are therapeutically suited to the client. Upon successful completion of this course students will have the knowledge to converse with, receive and make referrals to other health professionals and the ability to integrate basic massage skills to effectively treat a variety of conditions * N- PONSI recommendation- 4 semester hours, 3 lecture, 1 laboratory in Massage Therapy (108 hours over 24 classes).
This course teaches the students about the muscular system, including the origins, insertions, innervation and actions of muscles. Students learn to integrate trigger point therapy and individual muscle testing into their knowledge base during the hands-on portion of this class. Students also learn about the antagonistic and synergistic effects of muscles. This course teaches the students basic skills of assessment of the human body that they may use in their practice including, but not limited to, postural analysis, gait analysis, muscle testing, measurements of range of motion using goniometers, and an overview of orthopedic and neurological tests. Upon successful completion of this course students are able to understand the effects of massage on the muscles of the human body. (This course will be taught over two terms : 198 hours over 44 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation- 6 semester hours in Massage Therapy, Health Science, Exercise Physiology, and related disciplines.
Students learn the structures and functions of the nervous system, including the central, peripheral and autonomic divisions, homeostasis, and the results of nervous system dysfunction. Students will be familiar with dermatomes and their impact in providing massage therapy (54 hours over 12 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation -3 semester hours in biology, health science or related disciplines.
This course introduces the student to the theories and practices of the Chinese and Japanese healing arts. Upon completion students have a basic understanding of the oriental concept and will be able to apply the learned information to a practical application. Students are introduced to terminology and theory including yin/yang and five phase theory. Concepts such as qi are explored. Tools such as hara evaluation, kyo/jitsu theory and four stages of evaluation are introduced. Students become familiar with proper hand and body movements , the flow of meridians and with the general knowledge of the indications and extreme cautions for use of these methods. Each class follows the format of lecture, demonstration and student exchange. (108 hours over 24 classes). N-PONSI recommendation - 4 semester hours in Massage Therapy
This course covers the major systems of the human body, signs and symptoms of various diseases, indications and extreme cautions of massage therapy for various disorders, and the physiology of the disease process. This course is a general look into the disease process as it relates to all body systems. Students learn how to effectively treat a variety of disorders using both eastern and western philosophy of massage therapy and to make appropriate referrals to other health professionals. Students will have, upon completion of the course, an in-depth understanding of the abnormal physiology of the human body including, but not limited to, integumentary, cardiac/ circulatory, gastrointestinal, muscular system, nervous system and immune system abnormalities. (This course will be taught over two terms: 108 hours over 24 classes). * N-PONSI recommendation - 6 semester hours in Science , Health Science, Exercise Physiology or related disciplines.