MTH-MTH7023 - Massage Therapy III

Course Description

The 657-hour Massage Therapy Program offers a comprehensive education, preparing students for productive careers in massage and bodywork. Central Piedmont currently offers a traditional day-time program in therapeutic massage and a supervised, student-run clinic. The program is divided into three modules focusing on body-oriented therapies, anatomy, kinesiology, and business practices. 

To take this course, students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have an official transcript on file showing the graduation date from that institution (high school, GED, or college/university) 
• Be eligible to take ENG 111
• Have a valid state issued picture ID

Course Outline

Module III - 160 Hours
Neuromuscular Therapy - 90 Hours

1. Introduction to Neuromuscular Therapy
   • Define key terms
   • Explain key concepts
   • Discuss applications, effects, contraindications, precautions, service communication, and therapist-client dynamic
   • Identify components of the technique
   • Review notable history of the technique
2. Neuromuscular Physiology
   • Define key terms 
   • Explain Trigger Point Complex
   • Identify characteristics of Trigger Points
   • Explain Laws of Physiology 
   • Examine Trigger Point referral charts
3. Client Assessment
   • Interview client utilizing health history information
   • Orthopedic Testing
   • Palpation
   • Predisposing Factors
   • Perpetuating Factors 
4. Neuromuscular Techniques

Business Practices - 30 Hours

1. Business and Employment Basics and Insurance
   • Discuss licensing, types of business insurance, employment opportunities, business entities, zoning, startup costs, and taxes.
   • Outline business practices, including how to determine fees for services and discuss bartering, tips and gifts, and other various business policies.
2. Marketing, Business Resources, Accounting, and Planning
   • Describe marketing strategies, including mission statements, business cards, professional profiles, websites, blogs, social media, gift cards, value-added services, and retail products.
   • Discuss professional development and business resources, such as continuing education, board certification, mentors, preceptors, business coaches, contracts, and proposals.
   • Define accounting and petty cash, and delineate types of financial statements.
3. Write a business plan.

NMT Clinic - 40 Hours

1. Integrate experience from NMT in a live clinical setting with public clients.
2. Model professional work setting including schedule, set up and breakdown of supplies and equipment. 
3. Model professional ethical behaviors and practice in accordance with best practices and state law.
4. Analyze and examine client intake forms with support of licensed faculty members.
5. Generate with increasing proficiency session charting notes in SOAP format.
    

Learner Outcomes

Our objective is that each student of Central Piedmont Community College’s Therapeutic Massage Program will come to the practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork therapy with a creativity firmly rooted in education and experience. Graduates of the program will be trained to practice massage and bodywork therapy in diverse settings. To prepare graduates for employment in a variety of settings, the program strives to offer a massage and bodywork therapy education that provides:

Provides students with the principles and techniques to apply, with increasing confidence, a variety of classical and clinical massage and bodywork therapy modalities

Apply Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology to provide safe and beneficial treatments

Utilize efficient  body mechanics to promote ease in the administration of massage and bodywork therapy techniques, while at the same time, preventing injury to themselves

Understand small business management skills to develop and operate a successful career within the laws and rules of North Carolina and other governing authorities. 

Demonstrate knowledge of psychological and ethical concepts to ensure dynamics of a professional therapist/client relationship are uncompromised. 

Integrate knowledge of health and hygiene into the practice of self-care for the massage therapist and the creation and maintenance of a safe and effective work environment

To enable students to communicate effectively with clients, other health care providers, and the community at large as to the benefits and advisability of massage.

Accrediting Associations

• NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Massage Therapy Certificate Program : Massage Therapy Program