Program Outline and Course Description: The State of Texas Department of State Health Services requires that each individual complete a 500-hour program in massage therapy to be eligible to take the state board examination for registration as a massage therapist.
In the Massage Therapy Technique portion of our program, our teacher-to- student ratio will not exceed 1:12 (one instructor to twelve students) in order to provide our students with the preferential guidance and attention.
In accordance with state regulations, the 500 hour Massage Therapy Program is accomplished through the following curriculum:
Unit I- Anatomy (50 hours) & Physiology (25 hours)
Unit II- Massage Therapy Technique (200 hours)
Unit III- Health and Hygiene (20 hours)
Unit IV- Business Practices and Professional Ethics (45 hours)
Unit V- Hydrotherapy (20 hours)
Unit VI- Kinesiology (50 hours)
Unit VII- Pathology (40 hours)
Unit VIII- Internship (50 hours)
Detailed Description:
Anatomy and Physiology - These courses include instruction in the mechanics and structures of the human body. This involves the study of cells, tissues, skeletal system, Muscular system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, reproductive system, and special senses. Our instructors are highly qualified in all aspects of these sciences and together with the selected text and associated instruction material, are able to emphasize the positive as well as negative impact that massage therapy has on each system of the body, along with the role that each system plays in the essential human life process.
Massage Therapy Technique - The State of Texas requires massage schools to teach Swedish massage, which involves the manipulation of soft tissues using the Swedish massage strokes (effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, tapotement), and joint manipulation. While ensuring that our students are well schooled in this methodology, we further teach them to observe and understand the unique needs of each clients body and to tailor each massage to those particular needs. We train our students to follow the principle that every human body is unique and different and therefore no two massages will necessarily be the same. Students also enhance their Swedish massage abilities with the introduction of chair massage, trigger point work, and prenatal massage. In addition to hands-on work, students, through extensive classroom study of instructional materials, get in-depth knowledge required of them in passing the written portion of the state board examination. This material includes the history of the massage field, indications and contraindications, and body mechanics.
Health & Hygiene - Our students learn stress management, universal health precautions, and sanitary practices. With our instruction in centering, meditation, yoga, stretching, and breathing, students become aware of how to take care of their own bodies and practice wellness skills. Through our instruction in personal hygiene and therapeutic exercise, the students attain the knowledge and resources that they need to attend to the own bodies while providing effective care for their clients. Additionally students are taught basic first aid and CPR.
Business Practices and Professional Ethics - Students learn the State rules and Regulations that govern the massage therapy practice, including the requirements for registration renewal and continuing education units (CEU’s). They also gain knowledge of business practices and professional ethics that are essential to for them to be successful. They learn techniques for business planning, office practices, bookkeeping and accounting procedures, tax preparation, advertising, and marketing. Students are encouraged to speak with the director about business strategies and goals.
Hydrotherapy - Hydrotherapy is the theory and practice of the use of water in its various forms (gas, liquid, and solid) for therapeutic purposes. Our students get detailed instructions in the theory and physiology of hydrotherapy and become familiar the equipment, apparatus, and materials used in this effective therapy. They learn to skillfully integrate hydrotherapy treatment into their massage practice. ABC ensures that the students experience the “receiving” of applications of hot-packs, footbaths, and paraffin applications along with the knowledge of the application methods and effect of these treatments. Students also learn dry brushing, friction rubs, ice treatment, ginger compress applications and contrast baths.
Kinesiology – Students will be instructed in muscle movement and joint movement that constitute the overall movement of the human anatomy. Additionally students will learn the various roles the muscles play in body movement. Emphasis will be placed on the origin, insertion and action of the major muscles of the body. Students will learn to interpret various postural patterns and will be exposed to the physiological functions of proprioception and will learn the role proprioception plays in persons balance, physical self image, and in coordinating movement.
Pathology – Involves the study of disease and infection along with it’s counterpoint, health wellness, including the concept of preventive healthcare. Students will be taught to identify considerations for the HIV virus, including typical symptoms of AIDS, common myths and misconceptions about the transmission of AIDS, and will be introduced to special considerations to be taken when working with an AIDS patient. Additionally, emphasis will be placed on becoming aware of the “indications” and “contraindications” as related to massage therapy and will learn to identify signs and symptoms of health and disease of each of the body’s systems that were previously studied extensively in the anatomy course. Psychological and emotional states that may accompany acute and chronic disease will be studied. And finally the student will be provided an understanding of basic pharmacology as it relates to massage
Internship - After successful completion of the first 450 hour instructional segment of the program, students take the next step to becoming a massage therapist by entering the Internship phase. Internship provides the important transition for the students from the classroom to their own health care practice. During the internship, clients from the surrounding community are invited to come to the school to allow the students to put into practice the skills and techniques they have learned in the classroom. These clients are asked to evaluate the intern’s performance at the end of each session. Interns learn to schedule appointments, to contact the clients for intake interviews, and conduct initial assessment consultations in which they the clients needs and contraindications. All internship massages are administered at the school’s facility under the supervision of a registered massage therapist instructor.