Therapeutic Massage

Hours: 250 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Open, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $1,495.00

Course Overview:

Therapeutic Massage is a vital course for the massage industry including the essential knowledge and skills needed to become a successful, professional massage therapist. It includes the basics of anatomy and physiology. Essential topics to the industry such as ethics, hygiene, communication skills, and body mechanics are covered. Full-color illustrations and photographs clearly illustrate techniques and procedures. Classical massage is expanded with clinical techniques including neuromuscular and myofascial techniques, and lymph massage, combined to better serve the client by following therapeutic procedures. Numerous career tracts are explored including massage in a spa environment and athletic massage. This course includes information on massage for special populations including pre-natal, infant, elder, critically ill, people with cancer, and hospice. The final section covers business practices for finding employment or for successful self-employment.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

  • Comprehend the history and guidelines for therapeutic massage
  • Identify and understand the function of the systems of the body
  • Identify equipment, material, and preparation needs for therapeutic massage
  • Identify classical therapeutic massage movements and techniques
  • Identify techniques and procedures for addressing various parts of the body


DISCLAIMER: Every state has different requirements for Massage Therapist licensure. This course doesn’t give you any hands on experience. Please check with your state to find out the requirements for becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Course Outline:

Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 1
The History & Advancement of Therapeutic Massage
  • Massage in Ancient Times
  • Development of Modern Massage
  • Contemporary Developments in Massage
  • A Massage Renaissance
  • Requirements for the Practice of Massage
  • Scope of Practice
  • Licenses: They Are the Law
  • Educational Requirements
  • License versus Certification
  • Professional Ethics
  • Code of Ethics
  • The Therapeutic Relationship
  • Ethical Touch
  • Supervision
  • Ethical Business Practices
  • Building a Professional Image
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 2
Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Physiologic Changes During Disease
  • Healing Mechanisms of the Body
  • The Wellness Model
  • Medical & Anatomic Terminology
  • Cells, Enzymes & Tissues
  • The Anatomic Position of the Body
  • Body Cavities & Organs
  • Regions of the Human Body
  • Structure of the Human Body
  • The Integumentary System
  • The Skeletal System
  • The Muscular System
  • The Circulatory System
  • The Immune System
  • The Nervous System
  • The Endocrine System
  • The Respiratory System
  • The Digestive System
  • The Excretory System
  • The Reproductive System
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 3
Massage Practice: Getting Ready
  • Effects & Benefits of Massage
  • Indications & Contraindications of Massage
  • Equipment & Products
  • The Massage Room
  • Sanitary & Safety Practices
  • Paths of Disease & Infection
  • Maintaining Sanitary Conditions
  • Precautions & Procedures for Massage Therapists
  • Consultation & Documentation
  • Making the First Appointment
  • The Consultation
  • Determining the Client's Needs
  • Intake & Medical History Forms
  • Body Diagrams
  • Preliminary Assessment
  • Develop a Treatment Plan
  • SOAP Charting
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 4
Classical Massage Movements & Techniques
  • Classification of Massage Movements
  • Application of Massage Strokes
  • Touch & Gliding Movements
  • Kneading Movements
  • Friction & Percussion Movements
  • Joint Movements
  • Rhythm & Pressure in Massage
  • Application of Massage Technique
  • Building Strength & Flexibility of the Hands
  • Body Mechanics
  • Posture & Stances
  • Table Mechanics 
  • Professional Rules to Remember
  • Procedures for Complete Body Massages
  • Assisting the Client On and Off the Table
  • Positioning the Client on the Massage Table
  • Draping Procedures
  • Contact with the Client
  • Procedure for Professional Body Massage
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 5
Massage in the Spa Setting
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Cryotherapy
  • Thermotherapy
  • Kinds of Baths
  • Contrast Therapy 
  • A Brief History of Spa
  • The Spa Industry
  • Spa Massage
  • Stone Massage
  • Aromatherapy
  • Exfoliation
  • Body Wraps
  • Specialized Spa Equipment
  • Customer Service
  • Advancing Your Spa Career
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 6
Clinical Massage Techniques & Procedures
  • Neurophysiologic Therapies
  • Neuromuscular Therapy
  • Trigger-point Therapy
  • Muscle Energy Technique
  • Position Release
  • Myofascial Massage
  • Deep Tissue Techniques
  • Craniosacral Therapy
  • Lymph Massage
  • Therapeutic Procedure
  • Client Intake & Assessment
  • Observation & Orthopedic Tests
  • Palpation Skills
  • Acute & Chronic Conditions
  • The Role of Continuing Education
  • Addressing Soft Tissue Dysfunction
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 7
Massage for Special Populations
  • Purpose of Athletic Massage
  • Applications for Athletic Massage
  • Prenatal Massage
  • Infant & Child Massage
  • Elderly Clients
  • Clients with Disabilities
  • Massage in Medicine
  • Alternative & Complementary Medicine
  • Integrative Medicine
  • Chiropractic & Massage
  • Hospital-based Massage
  • Insurance Reimbursement for Massage
  • Chair Massage
  • Reflexology
  • Energetic Manipulation
  • Somatic Therapies
Therapeutic Massage: Theory & Practice Module 8
Massage Business Administration
  • Business Practices
  • Attitude/Self-Image/Public Image
  • Beginning in Business
  • Business Planning
  • Types of Business Operations
  • Start-Up Costs & Needs
  • Business Location
  • Buying an Established Business
  • Licenses & Permits
  • The Physical Layout of a Business
  • Business Ethics
  • Setting Your Fees
  • Your Business Telephone
  • Basics of Bookkeeping
  • Marketing Your Business
  • Business Law
  • Hiring Employees

All necessary materials are included.


System Requirements:

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:
  • Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.
Hardware Requirements:
  • CPU: 1 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 2 GB or higher
  • Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
  • Speakers / Headphones
  • Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)
Operating System Requirements:
  • Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
  • Mac OSX 10 or higher.
  • Latest Chrome OS
  • Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:
  • Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
  • Latest Mozilla FireFox
  • Latest Microsoft Edge
  • Latest Apple Safari
Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):
  • Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
  • PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
  • Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.


** The course outlines displayed on this website are subject to change at any time without prior notice. **