Massage Therapy (MSG)

Provides extensive knowledge of the essential sciences with a focus on the musculoskeletal system that includes terminology, muscle tissue, basic biomechanics, and pathology. Lecture: 4 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides a deeper understanding of body functions and effects of massage. Acquire skills for locating/palpating structures of the musculoskeletal system. Identifies muscle origins, insertions, innervations, and actions. Describes muscular interactions and biomechanics at major joint articulations of the upper and lower extremities. Lecture: 4 credits (60 contact hours).

Discusses the history and benefits of massage therapy. Applies the knowledge of environmental considerations and equipment necessary to provide treatment, hygiene and safety, and legal requirements of therapeutic massage. Provides students with beginning hands-on training by mastering the fundamental skills of positioning and draping while demonstrating self-care and proper body mechanics. Analysis of the theory and technique of relaxation massage and seated massage routine (chair massage) will be covered. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Lab: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Discusses the history and benefits of massage therapy. Applies the knowledge of environmental considerations and equipment necessary to provide treatment, hygiene and safety, and legal requirements of therapeutic massage. Acquire fundamental skills of positioning and draping, self-care, and proper body mechanics. Introduces the theory and technique of relaxation massage and seated massage routine (chair massage). Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours).

Applies the knowledge of environmental considerations and equipment necessary to provide treatment, hygiene and safety, and legal requirements of therapeutic massage. Demonstrates hands-on training by mastering the fundamental skills of positioning and draping while demonstrating self-care and proper body mechanics. Performs techniques of relaxation massage and performs the seated massage routine (chair massage). Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides an opportunity to improve skills in assessment, medical terminology, record keeping, documentation, and pre-employment fundamentals. Expands knowledge of massage techniques to include myofascial and deep tissue. Provides specific palpation techniques to include major joint articulations, bony landmarks, and muscles origin insertion and actions. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact); Lab: 2 credits (60 contact).

Provides extensive knowledge on assessment techniques, medical terminology, record keeping, and documentation necessary to provide wellness and healthcare massage. Expands knowledge of massage techniques to include myofascial and deep tissue. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours).

Demonstrates knowledge on assessment techniques, medical terminology, record keeping, and documentation necessary to provide wellness and healthcare massage. Expands knowledge of massage techniques to include myofascial and deep tissue. Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Prepares the student in the knowledge and skills of advanced therapeutic massage techniques and how to integrate them in the treatment of special conditions and populations. Explores the aspects of building a business: business beginnings and business operations. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Prepares students to integrate modalities available in the practice of massage therapy such as spa treatments, hydrotherapy, Eastern and energy therapies. Provides opportunity to explore aspects of financial management such as financial bookkeeping, taxes, and inventory control. Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Provides experience in all aspects of running a massage clinic. Discusses ethics and legal considerations of the profession, requirements for national and state certification and licensing. Consolidates concepts of business startup: management, marketing, and financial planning. Students must obtain their Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR Card before beginning any massages on public clients. Laboratory: 2 credits (90 contacts hours).

Discusses common pathologies encountered in the field of massage therapy. Reviews pathologies directly linked to the biological systems of the body. Lecture: 3.0 credits (45 contact hours).

Prepares students to integrate their massage practice into a clinical setting, including the musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain conditions. Expands the students' involvement in patient assessment, the use of rehabilitative, and preventative massage techniques. Integrated Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Integrated Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Develops understanding and skill in complementary modalities available in the practice of massage therapy along with the application of western modalities. Provides opportunity to explore aspects of financial management such as business plan development, record keeping, taxes, and inventory control. Integrated Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Integrated Laboratory: 2 credits (60 contact hours).

Enhances the students' experiences in the operation of a massage therapy business by their active participation in all aspects of the on-campus student massage clinic, including marketing, managing schedules and resources, and performing massage services on clients from the public. Students must obtain their Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR Card before beginning any massages on public clients. Integrated Lecture: 1 credit (15 contact hours). Integrated Laboratory: 2 credits (75 contact hours).