Course Sequence

•  Term A
  Anatomy & Physiology
   Introduction to Massage
   Introduction to Massage Clinic
•  Term B
  Myology I- Upper Body
  Pathology I- Respiratory & Other Pathologies
  Massage Techniques Massage Techniques Clinic
• Term C
  Myology II- Lower Body
  Pathology II- Circulatory & Other Pathologies
  Oriental Massage
  Oriental Massage Clinic
• Term D
  Neurology
  Business Management
  Health & Hygiene
  New York State Law
  Medical Massage
  Medical Massage Clinic

Course Descriptions

The program consists of a series of courses that are designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge needed for competency on the job. Total course training is 1,104 clock hours. Community service hours are in addition to classroom & course hours. A clock hour is defined as a minimum of fifty minutes of staff supervised instruction. All course learning objectives remain the same regardless of whether the student takes them as a part-time or full-time student.

Anatomy & Physiology

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. The student will learn the normal bony structures of the human body, including the location of bony landmarks and joints. The student will also learn the arterial and venous pathways and endangerment sites. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will 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.

Business Management

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. The student becomes familiar with business practices necessary to become successful in the field of massage therapy. Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be aware of the range of employment possibilities and they shall have an opportunity to achieve their personal career goals. (18 hours over 4 classes). *N-PONSI recommendation – 1 semester hour in Massage Therapy.

Health and Hygiene

This course includes nine hours of American Red Cross training in CPR & First Aid. Other class material will cover universal precautions and infection control, HIV and AIDS, communicable diseases (including TB/Hepatitis A, B and C), documentation, ethics, medical error prevention, mental health issues, child abuse and domestic violence. In addition to multi-cultural 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 lubricants in massage therapy. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to work safely in a massage therapy setting and understand some of the most common outside influences affecting their massage treatments. The student 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. 

Introduction to Massage

This course provides a comprehensive survey of the history, theory, ethics, and practice of massage therapy with emphasis on indications, benefits, extreme cautions and practical techniques of massage application. The student will learn to perform a basic 50-minute evaluative massage routine using all five basic Swedish strokes that will prepare them to work in the Student Clinic. The student is taught how to use computers, document therapies and schedule client appointments. Each class follows the format of lecture, demonstration and student exchange (108 hours over 24 classes). *N-PONSI recommendation – 4 semester hours (2 lecture, 2 laboratory) in Massage Therapy.

Introduction to Massage Clinic

While working in the clinic, the student will perform a basic full body, 50 minute, evaluative massage using Swedish techniques. Each session will then be documented in the computer by the student therapist as a SOAP note. The goal of this first clinic level is to allow the student the opportunity to work on improving their communication and assessment skills. The student will be able to explain and demonstrate the basic massage strokes, proper pressure and oil control. Introduction to Massage Clinic is a setting where the student will begin to build a relationship with their clients, and they will gain confidence in their client communication skills. Law The law course details New York State as regulated by the New York State Higher Education Department (NYSHED) Department of Massage Therapy. The student will 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).

Massage Techniques

This course introduces the student to many of the recognized techniques of massage therapy. The student will learn the history and basic theories of the techniques presented, as well as how to integrate portions of these techniques into their massage routines. The student is 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 same format of lecture, demonstration and student exchange (108 hours over 24 classes). *N-PONSI recommendation – 4 semester hours in Massage Therapy.

Massage Techniques Clinic

The level 2 Clinic allows the student to integrate many of the various skills learned in the Massage Techniques class, into their Swedish massage routine. Massage Techniques Clinic encourages the student to evaluate their client’s needs to determine where and when to use other massage techniques. The student will document all massage sessions in the computer. The student is able to explain and demonstrate the various techniques learned in the Massage Techniques class to their clients. Medical Massage In this course, the student learns to integrate the basic massage skills to effectively treat a variety of conditions through specific massage treatments. Focus is on massage routines for individuals with a referral for a specific medical and/or chiropractic diagnosis. The student will increase their awareness of pathologies that limit mobility and sensation, how the body is affected by these pathologic conditions and how massage can benefit persons with these specific disorders. The instructors demonstrate and teach the student 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, the student 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 (108 hours over 24 classes). *N-PONSI recommendation – 4 semester hours (2 lecture, 2 Laboratory) in Massage Therapy.

Medical Massage

In this course, the student learns to integrate the basic massage skills to effectively treat a variety of conditions through specific massage treatments. Focus is on massage routines for individuals with a referral for a specific medical and/or chiropractic diagnosis. The student will increase their awareness of pathologies that limit mobility and sensation, how the body is affected by these pathologic conditions and how massage can benefit persons with these specific disorders. The instructors demonstrate and teach the student 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, the student 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 (108 hours over 24 classes). *N-PONSI recommendation – 4 semester hours (2 lecture, 2 Laboratory) in Massage Therapy.

Medical Massage Clinic

Working at the Clinic 4 level, Medical Massage, the student is able to effectively treat a variety of conditions using the techniques and routines taught in the treatments for massage. The student will become familiar with medical and/or chiropractic diagnosis and specific treatment plans. The student will be able to refer clients to other health professionals, as needed, and are able to document a massage session on the computer. The student will be able to understand and explain various conditions 5 and recommend a medical massage treatment plan for those conditions.

Myology

This course teaches the student about the muscular system, including the origins, insertions, innervations and actions of muscles. The student will learn to integrate trigger point therapy and individual muscle testing into their knowledge base during the hands-on portion of this class. The student will also learn about the antagonistic and synergistic effects of muscles. This course teaches the student 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, the student is 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.

Neurology

The student will learn the structures and functions of the nervous system, including the central, peripheral and autonomic divisions, homeostasis, and the results of nervous system dysfunction. The student 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.

Oriental Massage

This course introduces the student to the theories and practices of the Chinese and Japanese healing arts. Upon completion, the student will have a basic understanding of the oriental concept and will be able to apply the learned information to practical application. The student is introduced to terminology and theory including yin/yang and five phases theory. Concepts such as qi are explored. Tools such as hara evaluation, kyo/jitsu theory and four stages of assessment are introduced. The student becomes 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). *NPONSI recommendation – 4 semester hours (3 lecture, 1 Laboratory) in Massage Therapy.

Oriental Massage Clinic

The student working at the Clinic 3 level will perform Oriental Massage Therapies on their clients. The student will perform a hara assessment on their clients and will be able to perform an Oriental Massage routine using the correct hand and body movements in accordance to the meridian flow. All sessions are documented on the computer. The student at this level educates their clients about the advantages of Oriental Massage and is able to explain the basic theory of the Oriental healing arts to other clients.

Pathology

This course presents a detailed overview of the disease process as it relates to major body systems. This course covers the signs and symptoms of various diseases, indications and extreme cautions of massage therapy for various disorders, and the physiology of the disease process. The student will learn how to effectively treat a variety of disorders using both eastern and western philosophy of massage therapy and to make appropriate referral to other health professionals. Upon completion of the course, the student will have 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 Massage Therapy, Health Science, Allied Health Science or related disciplines.

Student Clinic

Upon successful completion of a qualifying exam, the student is eligible to participate in the Student Clinic. Participation in the clinic begins during the first massage term. Clinic therapies are performed in addition to the required classroom hours. As the student completes each of the four components, they will develop the skills needed to become a successful massage therapist. Open to the public, the clinic gives hands-on training in a supervised setting and allows the student to gain experience in operating a professional massage therapy practice. The student is required to complete 60 therapy sessions in the student clinic. Hours of clinic operation are subject to change, as class size will vary. Current Student Clinic hours are: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Clinic Policies

For each of the four Clinic components, the student is required to complete a clinic report and 15 hands-on therapy sessions before advancing to the next Clinic term. 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 required clinic appointment. The average of their Clinic grades (Introduction to Clinic, Massage Techniques Clinic, Oriental Massage Clinic and Medical Massage Clinic) determines their final Clinic grade. *N-PONSI recommendation 2 semester hour as an internship/clinical in Massage Therapy.

Community Service

NYIM is committed to serving the community by raising awareness of the benefits of massage. As part of the overall training, the student will be required to complete 20 hours (subject to change) of community service. Fulltime students need to have community service requirements fulfilled in 2nd and 3rd terms (10 hours per term). Parttime students must complete community service in their 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th terms (5 hours per term). Community service is completed at NYIM sponsored functions and most events benefit local charities. This requirement helps the student to gain valuable knowledge about the massage therapy profession through hands-on contact with the public.