What you can expect to learn at massage school

View Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses.

Providing massage for clients is a rewarding career but it also means taking on responsibility for other people's health and wellbeing. In order to practice safely it is important that you receive a good grounding with the training you receive. Massage school will provide all of the background you need so that you can feel fully supported when you begin to practice.

Syllabuses can vary but there are core elements you will expect to find in every course. These include anatomy, physiology, theory and practice of massage techniques, listening skills, client assessment, setting up in practice, and legislation. The length of the course may vary and you will want to take this into account. Some courses offer the minimum basic training while others offer a more detailed course with longer hours. This can be important as many states have massage licensing laws, many of which require a minimum number of hours of training.

Anatomy and physiology is the study of the human body and provides the biological basis underpinning all massage techniques. It is essential to have an awareness of the human body in order to practice massage safely and appropriately. You will learn about the skeletal system and also the muscular system in order to understand them in depth. This may involve reading, lectures, videos of dissections, and hands-on practice. You will learn about pathology and contraindications, that is, conditions where massage or some of the techniques of massage are not advised. This is an essential element in becoming a safe and competent massage practitioner.

Massage techniques may give an overview of its history and an introduction to the many different kinds of massage. It will be primarily a hands-on course and is the core element of studying at massage school. You will learn how to give a complete massage safely and competently. In most cases you will begin by studying the techniques of Swedish massage. Swedish massage uses five main strokes – effleurage (a light touch), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), friction (deepest tissue massage), and shaking. You will learn how to administer each one of these and how to combine them effectively. You may then go on to study a wide range of different techniques and approaches such as therapeutic or sports massage, range of motion techniques, aromatherapy, shiatsu, or other styles of massage. There may also be options for related subjects such as reiki or reflexology.

Listening skills and client assessment provide essential guidance on how to interact with potential clients, a key element of the work of a massage therapist. Massage work is intimate and means that clients often share private thoughts and experiences in confidence. Sensitivity and tact are required as are a warm manner and empathy. Courses can help to develop the skills needed to cope with the emotions which may come up for clients as a result of the releasing powers of massage. Client assessment looks at tactfully acquiring the necessary information to build up a medical history on which to base treatment approaches.

Even with the best massage skills in the world it is impossible to succeed as a massage therapist without the ability to set up in practice, manage accounts, and market successfully. This course will help to develop the entrepreneurial aspects needed to be able to succeed in running your own business. Business law keeps you informed about rights and responsibilities such as the need for adequate insurance.

Such a diverse range of courses place considerable demands and require commitment to succeed. They help to create a well-rounded massage practitioner who is ready to succeed in the wider world.

Schools that offer Massage Therapy Courses

Southwest Florida College

Start the career you want at Southwest Florida College. Since 1974, we’ve helped students all over Florida with a career-focused curriculum that teaches the skills that employers are looking for most. Let us help you too. With campuses in Tampa and Fort Myers, we offer state-of-the-art facilities, expert instructors and excellent job placement programs. Click here to learn more about earning a degree in Accounting, Information Technology Management, Medical Assisting, Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Graphic Design and more.

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Florida.

CDI College

Advanced Massage Therapy program

Students in the Advanced Massage Therapy program will be prepared to sit for the Registration Examinations of the Massage Therapy Association. The primary goal of this program is to promote, through various educational opportunities, the basic knowledge, skills, ethics and behaviors that are necessary in order for the graduate to successfully practice massage therapy in a variety of health care settings.

Massage Therapy Program

The program in Massage Therapy is designed to provide students with the education and skills required to enable them to sit for the Registration Examinations of the Massage Therapy Association. The primary goal of our program is to enable the graduate to successfully apply basic knowledge, skills, ethics, and behaviors that will allow the student to practice massage therapy in various health care settings.

Diploma.
Advanced Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy.
Alberta, Ontario.

National American University Campus

Associate - A.A.S. Therapeutic Massage

There are ever increasing opportunities in the field of therapeutic massage. The massage therapist has to perceive the body as a whole, as well as the mind, and spirit, in order to meet the needs of the client.

Diploma - Therapeutic Massage Professional Diploma

NAU's diploma program in therapeutic massage offers a curriculum that balances lectures with experiential courses providing a well-rounded education. The course is very functional to students as it helps them to develop their ‘touch’ skills and also gain a strong understanding in anatomy and physiology of the human body with sturdy basics.

Diploma, Associate.
Therapeutic Massage Professional Diploma, A.A.S. Therapeutic Massage, Therapeutic Massage.
Minnesota, Kansas, South Dakota.

Medix School

At Medix, the Massage Therapy programs helps students learn the necessary entry-level profession, business, and technical skills that they require to be successful massage therapists.

Diploma.
Massage Therapy.
Ontario, Maryland.

Tri-State Business Institute

Therapeutic Massage Career

The program at Tri-State Business Institute offers a wide variety of techniques, both basic and specialty. These include client draping, product knowledge, and how to set up a professional message room. Students will be trained in all aspects of a career in Therapeutic Massage. Conducting proper client consolidation, safety, sanitation, and ethics are also taught to the student.

Associate.
Therapeutic Massage.
Pennsylvania.