Prerequisite: SMT1935-1 Clinic Rotation 1

Students provide massage therapy treatment sessions in the School of Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic, under the supervision of school faculty. In Clinic Rotation 2, students continue to focus on the application of full body massage techniques. Students may begin to use techniques being learned in the Rehabilitative Massage 1 course. Students continue to participate in discussions of patient care and professional issues that arise during their treatment sessions. Clinic journals and other projects are included.

Prerequisite: SMT1935-2 Clinic Rotation 2

Students provide massage therapy treatment sessions in the School of Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic, under the supervision of school faculty. Clinic Rotation 3 begins to focus on the application of advanced techniques of the upper body, including trigger point therapy and cross fiber friction as presented in Rehabilitative Massage 1. Students continue to participate in discussions of patient care and professional issues that arise during their treatment sessions. Students write a care plan and complete other projects as assigned.

Prerequisite: SMT1935-3 Clinic Rotation 3, SMT1702 Rehabilitative Massage 1
Corequisite: SMT1703 Rehabilitative Massage 2

Students provide massage therapy treatment sessions in the School of Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic, under the supervision of school faculty. Clinic Rotation 4 focuses on practicing and refining the advanced techniques of trigger point therapy and cross fiber friction as presented in Rehabilitative Massage 1 & 2. Students continue to participate in discussions of patient care and professional issues that are encountered in the treatment sessions. Students implement their care plan and complete other projects as assigned.

This course offers a broad base of practical information related to employment as a massage therapist. Information is provided on developing a resume, a cover letter and interview skills. Common business practices and structures, legal agreements, financial record keeping and income tracking are explored.  Methods to promote and maintain a successful practice are presented.

Ethics and Professionalism outlines effective communication skills needed to manage the therapeutic relationship and to work with colleagues in the health care community. This course includes topics such as a professional code of ethics, scope of practice, conflict resolution, boundaries and cultural differences.  Emphasis is placed on supporting the emerging therapist to create a successful career.

This is a basic adult CPR and standard first aid class. Students will learn basic principles and skills of CPR and first aid including bandaging, splinting and CPR, as well as how to manage sudden illness, wounds and burns. Students must have current certification in CPR and first aid upon graduation.

This course uses a blended approach of classroom and online presentations and activities to introduce students to the basic principles of evidence-informed practice (EIP). EIP is an approach that integrates clinical findings, patient preferences, research and clinical experience (all important types of evidence) into the process of health care delivery. Students learn the strengths and limitations of each element of the model and how to use them together to enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

The first in a three-part sequence of courses introduces students to the organization of the body on a chemical, cellular, tissue and system level. Integrating structures (anatomy) and their function (physiology) is a focus of each course in this sequence. Classes examine the
skeletal/articular and muscular systems in detail. The laboratory portion of the course includes observation of prosected human cadavers.

Prerequisite: SBS1214 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

This final Human Anatomy and Physiology course focuses on the lymphatic/immune, respiratory, urinary, digestive and reproductive systems and then integrates all systems through cross-sectional analysis of the body. As with the other courses in this sequence, observation of prosected human cadavers will be included in the laboratory portion of the course.

Prerequisite: SMT1701 Relaxation Massage 2

This course integrates the theories, principles and techniques learned throughout the curriculum and applies them to special client populations.  A focus of this class is the critical thinking skills needed to design an individualized treatment plan to meet a client’s specific needs. Students learn and discuss the unique considerations for treating special populations, including older adults, persons with
disabilities, persons with terminal illnesses, infants and women in pregnancy. Special conditions will be discussed with emphasis on indications, contraindications, techniques, and adaptations. The topics of medications, diversity and research will also be included.

Students will learn general medical terminology, including basic Latin and Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes.

Prerequisite: SBS1214 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

Students are introduced to common dysfunctions of human anatomy and physiology as a result of disease or injury. The course examines common causes of pathological conditions as well as methods to limit disease transmission. Representative signs, symptoms and treatment options are emphasized. In addition, specific implications for bodywork
will be discussed where applicable.

Prerequisite: SMT1700 Relaxation Massage 2

This course presents basic rehabilitative theory and teaches technical skills needed to work with clients experiencing myofascial pain symptoms. Techniques focus on trigger point therapy and cross fiber friction, with emphasis on developing a basic treatment protocol. Students will expand their anatomical knowledge and palpation skills in
the context of rehabilitative massage. Skills related to the assessment and rehabilitation of soft tissue structures and related symptomologies of the upper body are learned. Advanced SOAP note charting is covered. In addition to laboratory sessions, learners engage in practice massage sessions outside scheduled class hours. 

Prerequisite: SMT1702 Rehabilitative Massage 2

This course presents advanced technical skills needed to work with clients experiencing myofascial pain symptoms. Techniques continue to focus on trigger point therapy and cross fiber friction, with emphasis on the development of a treatment plan. Students will further expand their anatomical knowledge and palpation skills in the context of rehabilitative massage. Skills related to the assessment and rehabilitation of soft tissue structures and related symptomologies of the lower body are learned.  Advanced documentation methods
are presented. In addition to laboratory sessions, learners engage in practice massage sessions outside scheduled class hours. 

Students learn techniques for a full-body massage, including palpation skills. Students are introduced to correct body mechanics, injury prevention, table management and draping methods. Students are introduced to principles of documentation for the health care setting including charting using the SOAP format. In addition to laboratory sessions, learners are required to engage in practice massage sessions outside of scheduled class hours.

Prerequisite: SMT1700 Relaxation Massage 1

Students learn enhanced techniques for a full-body massage; building from the knowledge base acquired in Relaxation Massage 1.  An overall review of massage therapy history and development is presented. The students also learn on-site chair massage skills as well as an introduction to the principles and practice of reflexology. Documentation and SOAP charting skills are refined. Learners participate in a classroom clinic, open to the public, to prepare for the clinic rotation course. In addition to laboratory sessions, learners are required to engage in practice massage sessions outside of scheduled
class hours.

This course introduces students to the role and value of research in health care. Students gain the ability to read and evaluate technical information found in articles in health-related journals and determine biases and limitations in the findings or premises on which the articles are based. Information on how to locate research literature on
therapeutic massage is presented. Students critically read and evaluate a published article in the field of massage therapy and bodywork. Students learn to access appropriate information resources as needed and apply this information in practice.

This course is being revised with funding by the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine through the CAM Research Educations Partnership Project.

In order to support the developing identity of the student as a health care provider, the role of massage therapy within the greater context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is discussed.  Examples of various CAM modalities are presented to orient the student to the diverse classifications within the field of massage therapy and bodywork.  Lectures are delivered by practitioners
who currently practice in their field.