These are some of my notes from massage school. This information was first available on my website www.thebodyworker.com which is no longer my domain. This information has been updated as best I can over the years. The latest massage school curriculums should be based on the Entry Level Analysis Project (www.elapmassage.org) recommended curriculum.
Thinking about becoming a Massage Therapist?
Be sure to do your research on this career so you know what you are getting into before spending time and money on school.
You will want to know how much you can make, how to choose a massage school, and how to navigate the massage job market as wall as how to start your own massage business.
These are the classes you will be taking in massage school. It is important to find a quality school that has implemented the Entry Level Analysis Project Data (ELAP www.elapmassage.org) into their massage courses. This will ensure that your education will prepare you for what is ahead.
- History of Massage Therapy ELAP recommendation:1.5 hours of instruction on the evolution of massage and bodywork.
- Anatomy and Physiology
Chemistry, Cells, Tissues & Membranes, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Respiration, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive, and Immune Systems, Metabolism, Nutrition, and Cadaver Studies.
Bones, Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments, Joints, Postural Assessment, Body Mechanics, Biomechanics and Motion - Kinesiology: How muscles work. Origins and Insertions of muscles and their actions
- Pathology: Diseases and conditions and how to work with them.
- Massage Theories :
Swedish Massage
Sports Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Clinical Massage
Benefits of massage
Indications, contraindications. - Ethics
- Therapeutic application – skills and clinical work, charting
- Massage Research Literacy : ELAP recommendation: 3 hours
- Science Literacy
Science vs Pseudoscience
Critical Thinking
What gets in the way of critical thinking?
Logical Fallacies
Scientific Method - Hydrotherapy:
General Hydrotherapy Applications, Temperatures, Effects of Hot and Cold
Hydrotherapy Baths/Poultices
Hydrotherapy Glossary
Hydrotherapy Test Questions
Electro/Heliotherapy, Aromatherapy
Eastern, European and Western theory/methods - Specialized Populations such as: athletes, abused, elderly, children, infants, pregnancy, physically challenged, psychologically challenged, chronically ill, terminally ill
- Connective tissue, Positional release, Reflexology, Sports massage, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Polarity, Myofascial release, Trigger points, Magnetic therapy (Energy Techniques), Massage in pregnancy, Baby massage, Iridology, On-Site massage, Skilled touch, and Deep lymphatic drainage.
- Hygiene and Safety
- HIV awareness and blood-borne pathogens
- Massage Business and Marketing ELAP – 4 hours of instruction on massage laws and regulations25 hours of instruction on career planning
Massage Insurance Billing including healthcare integration, charting, billing and getting paid, - Massage Jobs – Creating or finding Your Ideal Job in Massage
- Supervision, Peer Groups, Mentoring ELAP Recommendation: 8 hours of instruction on personal health, body mechanics, and self care
Massage Politics
Licensing and Legislation issues
Defining Massage, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Practice