MASSAGE THERAPY

REGIONAL ANATOMY & PALPATION

Course description: The course focuses on fundamental concepts and principles in the study of regional anatomy, knowledge and palpation of musculoskeletal structures, including location and identification of anatomical structures using anatomical terms, blood supply and innervation of body structures. Lecture segments focus on structural/functional interrelationships, while the practical segments enable students to use terminology, and palpate skeletal, muscular, neurological, and cardiovascular structures.

PHYSIOLOGY

Course description: The course focuses on understanding basic concepts of physiology and emphasizing cellular mechanisms & homeostasis, as a basis for understanding health and disease processes. The course presents subject matter relevant to the practice of massage therapy and covers the organization of the body - from systems down to the cellular level, chemistry of life, homeostasis and interdependence of body systems and functions. Presentation of various systems focuses on important physiological processes and their relevance to the maintenance of life and survival of the individual. The musculoskeletal system, presented in terms I-II, provides knowledge needed for understanding the function of the system, especially as it relates to the practice of MT. The cardiovascular system affected by manual manipulation is covered in depth. Presentation of the visceral systems, in terms III-IV covers structure and functions, and focuses on aspects related to understanding the effects of massage treatments on the body, and their benefit. The course includes brief coverage of pharmacology, medications and various aspects of public health; knowledge is applied and integrated in treatment courses.

PATHLOGY

Course description: The course focuses on understanding basic concepts in pathology emphasizing homeostatic imbalances, as a basis for understanding health and disease processes. The course builds on knowledge and understanding attained in anatomy and physiology, focusing on agents of disease and injury, mechanisms of disease, soft tissue injury and pathologies of the integumentary and musculoskeletal systems (terms I-II). Terms III-IV present neuropathology and disorders of the visceral systems, with emphasis placed on disorders that may be positively affected by the judicious application of massage treatments.

NEUROLOGY

Course description: This course focuses on the nervous system - structures, functions and response to injury, as well as on topics dealing with pain, the prime reason people seek health-care intervention. The first term focuses on basic organization of the NS, neurophysiology and structures and functions of the CNS & PNS. The second focuses on the autonomic NS, sensory and motor integration, and presents a comprehensive picture of pain, its manifestations and effects, as well as clinical approaches to management and treatment.

MASSAGE THEORY & TECHNIQUE

Course Description: The course introduces students to topics associated with touch; fundamentals of Swedish massage, and some specialized techniques, integrated into local/regional and full body massage applications.

HYDROTHERAPY

Course Description: The course introduces students to a variety hot and cold hydrotherapy modalities, their physiological effects and rational integration into therapeutic massage sessions.

MANUAL SKILLS: THEORY & PRACTICE

Course Description: The course focuses student attention on sensitive touch, palpation skills and correct application of a variety of techniques prevalent in the practice of contemporary massage treatments. Theoretical foundations complement the practical aspect, and support subject matter presented in other courses, and practice provides an opportunity to hone skills including sensitive touch, postural assessment, myofascial trigger point therapy (coordinated with anatomy), fascial release techniques, stretching, PJM, and lymphatic drainage.

REMEDIAL EXERCISE & KINESIOLOGY

Course Description: The course introduces students to all aspects of remedial exercise, including ROM - types, assessment and exercises.
Pertinent kinesiology, including joint biomechanics and their interrelationship with posture is discussed. A major focus is the integration of remedial exercise into treatment; a therapeutic tool which is an integral aspect of a holistic approach to client and therapist self-care.

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

Course Description: The course provides students with the skills required for proficient and accurate client assessment, which precedes treatment planning. Presentation includes neurological, orthopaedic and cardiovascular assessments.

TREATMENT - MUSCULOSKELETAL I

Course Description: The course provides fundamental knowledge for treating simple musculoskeletal conditions following the Treatment Protocol presented in the Manual Skills and Remedial Exercise courses. Specific conditions are presented; each exemplifies a category of conditions from which students will be expected to extrapolate and apply knowledge to similar ones in different anatomical locations; e.g., the treatment approach for a quadriceps strain can be applied to a biceps brachii strain, the major difference being the anatomical location, rather than treatment itself.

TREATMENT - MUSCULOSKELETAL II

Course Description: The course provides advanced knowledge for treating musculoskeletal conditions, including, postural, inflammatory, compressions, and joint conditions. Clients with special needs are considered - burn patients and amputees. A brief introduction to sports massage and taping provides students with a window to a possible area of specialization.

TREATMENT - SYSTEMIC CONDITIONS

Course Description: The course provides a foundation for treating clients who are seeking massage treatments and have systemic conditions. Students learn to recognize ´red flags´ that preclude treatment, adapt treatment plans to ensure client safety, as well as provide direct treatment to alleviate manifestations of conditions amenable to the application of massage techniques, including palliative care. The last segment of the course focuses on skills for coping with, and passing the CMTO licensing examination.

TREATMENT - NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Course Description: The course provides a foundation for treating clients with peripheral neurological dysfunction, as well as those with CNS conditions seeking treatment for musculoskeletal dysfunction (e.g., a client with Parkinson´s disease suffering from intercostal neuralgia). Students learn to recognize when neurological dysfunction requires treatment to be delayed, to adapt treatment plans to ensure client safety, as well as provide treatment to alleviate manifestations of conditions amenable to the application of massage techniques. Special emphasis is placed on the stage of nerve healing to prevent further damage.

TEACHING CLINIC AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Course Description: Students practice in a clinical setting supervised by qualified RMT´s, giving them opportunities to provide massage treatments to members of the community. The course includes clinical practice on-site and a community outreach component, which enables students to make contacts in the community, broaden their clinical experience and make a difference. Term III emphasizes the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, and term IV enables students to treat neurological and systemic conditions as well. Where clients present with conditions that students have not treated in class, teacher/supervisor discretion will determine whether, or not, the client can be safely treated.

PROFFESSIONALISM I & II

Course Description: The course presents the CMTO code of ethics, standards commensurate with professional practice, and the legislative acts governing the practice of MT in Ontario. Communications and interviewing skills, professional/client relationships, informed consent, ethics and values, and clinical record keeping are considered in the therapeutic context.

FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Course Description: The course introduces students to the rudiments of building a business, marketing practices, record keeping and practice management, including relevant legislation. A major focus of the course is developing and presenting a business OR marketing plan for peer review.

RESEARCH FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)

Course Description: The course introduces students to various aspects of professional development linked to research in CAM, including critical thinking, inquiry, and research literacy - reading, assessing and applying research findings. Various topics are covered, including qualitative and quantitative research modalities, basic statistics. The importance of life-long learning for healthcare professionals is discussed.

ELECTIVE

Course Description: The course introduces students to another modality as part of the life-long learning direction, providing knowledge and practical application of acupuncture OR Tuina and enables them to develop an understanding how to use the techniques effectively in conjunction with the practice of massage therapy.