This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice and giving the student a strong foundation in the basic massage techniques and palpation skills to apply this foundation to more specific and advanced massage techniques. Topics presented during this semester included the History of Massage, Touch History, Principles of Energy, Efficient Body Mechanic, Universal Precautions, Equipment and Safety, Basic Massage Techniques, Palpation Skills, Muscular System, and Origin and Insertion of Muscles. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, as part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice. Topics that will be presented include Anatomy and Physiology of Basic Chemistry, Integumentary Sys-tem, Skeletal System, Muscular System, Nervous System. A thorough analysis of human muscle origins, inser-tions and muscle actions specific to a standard massage routine will be covered. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students' knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice. Topics that will be presented include the effects of a massage routine on the systems of the body, therapeutic massage procedures, continued study of muscles and body landmarks, and business skills for massage therapy practice. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice. Topics for this course are Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Digestive, Respiratory, Urinary and Reproductive Systems and their Pathologies as it relates to the practice of massage therapy. A thorough analysis of the human body systems for routine massage are covered. Writing assignment, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice, as well as, advancing their skills to the next level. Topics that will be presented include: Therapeutic Progression, Origin and Insertion of muscles, their actions, stress factors, and trigger point therapy; Pathologies of the back, abdomen and thorax, shoulder, neck, head and face, lower extremities. The student will also learn Lymphatic Drainage, Elderly and Terminally Ill pathologies and massage techniques. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice and further their knowledge of specific pathologies with the Integumentary System. Other topics that will be presented include: the effects of a massage routine on the systems of the body, therapeutic massage procedures, continued studies of Universal Precautions regarding bodily fluids, blood; Medication and Massage; Fascia and Pain; Bone Fractures, Brain and Cranial Nerves; Pathologies of neurological diseases and the effects of massage. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice and further their knowledge in specific massage techniques for certain populations. Topics that will be presented include: Pregnancy Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Chakra Therapy, Aromatherapy, Sound Therapy and Energetic and Integrative Techniques, Asian studies of Shiatsu, Meridians, Acupressure, Lomi Lomi, Tuina, and Thai Massage. The students will prepare for professionalism, strategies to establish appropriate clientele relationship and business practices; knowledge of License Regulations, Illinois Rules and Regulation. Students will also review for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) and/or The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Exam (NCBTMB). Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.

This course is designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and ability related to entry level massage therapy practice and further hone their communication skills of documentation, examining case studies; knowledge of nutrition and its relationship with massage for the client; and preparing the student for the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). This course also addresses nutrition and how it affects massage therapy. Writing assignments, as appropriate to the discipline, are part of the course.