CURRICULUM
650 Hours
Massage:
History of Massage, Laws and Licensing, Sanitary Practices, Business Ethics, Professional Image, First Aid, CPR, Nutrition, Massage Preparation, Product Selection, Client Positioning, Record Keeping, Draping, Massage Technique, Massage Procedure, Movement, Breathing, Posture, Quality of Touch, Massage for Healthcare, Specialized Techniques, Contraindications, Therapeutic Massage, Health Maintenance, Reflexology, Building a Successful Massage Business, Tax Laws, Marketing Yourself, Advertising Techniques.
Anatomy and Physiology:
Cells and tissue, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, skin circulatory, endocrine, digestive system, lymphatic system, and respiratory system, pathology.
Introduction To:
Sports Massage, Acupressure, Deep Tissue Massge, Infant & Pregnancy Massage, Lymphatic Massage, Myotherapy, Trigger Points, Eastern Philosophy, Hydrotherapy.
The Business of Massage:
Students learn the skills needed to run a successful massage therapy business. The class includes; choosing the right business structure, patient billing, CPT coding for therapists, promotional strategies, building a steady patient base, how to write a business plan, creating a workable financial plan. Also incorporated into the business of massage or chair massage. Corporate massage also referred to as seated massage or chiar massage. Corporate massage in-corporates specialized massage techniques with stretches done while the client is seated in a massage chair. The client does not disrobe and lubricants are not used, which makes this modality accessible at the workplace or other public areas.
Elective 1
Body Treatment
- Hot Stone Massage
- Therapeutic Body Wraps
- Aromatherapy
Elective 2
Advanced Therapeutic Massage
- Direct Tissue Manipulation
- Geriatric Massage
- Rehabilitation Massage
*One mandatory elective included in tuition. Student may choose to take both electives for an additional $800 to tuition cost.
Clinical Internship:
Students will implement their knowledge of therapeutic massage in our public student clinic. In addition to the valuable feedback students receive from clients, they learn the importance of maintaining an appointment book, interaction with clients, and phone scheduling skills.
Fund-Raisers / Benefits
ICNH believes in giving back to the community. We schedule massge therapy fund-raisers on a regulare basis. Students who are conducting their internship are required to participate, with full credit given towards the internship requirement, and all money donated to the fund-raiser.
*According to the progression of each individual class, curriculum subject to change.
Massage Therapy I
Basics
History of massage, scope of practice, ethics and standards, informed consent, confidentiality, professional boundaries, communication skills, licensing.
Sanitation
Personal health, hygiene, appearance, maintaining sanitary conditions, paths of disease and infection, safety practices and procedures.
Contraindications
Indications for massage, approaches to care, pathology health and therapeutic massage, contraindications to massage, effects and benefits of massage.
Equipment
Massage table selection, massage room environment, electric massager, thermophore, tiger balm, bio freeze, oils, lotions.
Body Mechanics
Basic body mechanics principles, dysfunctions resulting from improper body mechanics, application of compressive forces, body mechanics considerations, proper body mechanics while giving a massage, strengthening the hands, self care of the massage professional.
Massage Techniques
Physiologic effects, quality of touch, description of massage movements, basic flow, massage techniques, sequence, application of strokes, regulating pressure, hydrotherapy.
Preparation for Massage
Determining the clients expectations, consultation, preliminary assessment, intake forms, client files, treatment plan, client draping, client positioning, post massage procedure.
Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissue of the body for the purpose of establishing or maintaining good health. Swedish Massage is beneficial for a variety of reasons: deep level of relaxation, to rehabilitate a muscle, or to prevent an injury. Students must learn this basic technique prior to advancing to the specialized massage techniques.
Swedish Gymnastics
The primary movements used in Swedish gymnastic, which include stretches, and joint mobilizations, can be performed actively or passively. The therapist can assist or resist active movements on the body, incorporating them into a Swedish Massage. This is an essential prerequisite for therapeutic massage.
Massage Therapy II - Specialized Modalities
Complementary Bodywork systems
Identify similarities in bodywork methods, body -mind- spirit connection, defining wellness massage and therapeutic massage.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a technique of manipulating the feet in order to improve circulation, ease pain, and increase relaxation in the body. Reflexology is based on the theory that all body parts, organs, and glands are associated with specific areas, called reflex zones. By manipulating the associated zone, changes can be affected in the corresponding body part.
Myotherapy/Trigger Point Therapy
Myotherapy involves the application of noninvasive pressure to painful muscular areas or specific prescribed points that may cause pain in another location (referred pain). Pressure is applied to these areas using the finger, elbow, or special tool, long enough to cut off, or limit the oxygen supply to the area and fatigue the muscle.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is the application of massage techniques that combine sound anatomical and physiological knowledge, an understanding of strength training and conditioning, and specific massage skills to enhance athletic performance. Sports massage enables the athlete to attain their highest potential by accelerating the body's natural restorative processes. Sports massage can improve the athlete's ability to perform while reducing the incidence of lost time due to injury and fatigue.
Prenatal Massage/Infant Massage
Prenatal massage benefits both the mother and fetus. Prenatal massage can aid relaxation, improve circulation, and soothe the nervous system of the expectant mother. Prenatal massage has been shown to make the delivery process a more relaxing experience. Infants experience less colic and repetitive crying when exposed to massage. Infants receiving massage have improved feeding habits, and gain weight faster than non massaged infants. Massage has been found more effective than "rocking" to induce sleep.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is also referred to as clinical massage. Deep tissue massage is the direct manipulation of the soft tissue. Palpation skills of the therapist are extremely important with this modality. The therapist will utilize their fingers, hand, elbow, knuckles, and fist to manipulate the tissue. Reduction of acute and chronic pain, and injury rehabilitation are benefits of this technique.
Professional Studies
The Business of Massage:
Students learn the skills needed to run a successful massage therapy business. The class includes; choosing the right business structure, patient billing, CPT coding for therapists, promotional strategies, building a steady patient base, how to write a business plan, creating a workable financial plan. Also incorporated into the business of massage or chair massage. Corporate massage in-corporates specialized massage tehniques with stretches done while the client is seated in a massage chair. The client does not disrobe and lubricants are not used, which makes this modality accessible at the workplace or other public areas.
Elective 1
Body Treatments
Hot Stone Massage is the application of water-heated stones to key points on the body, giving a deep massage and creating sensations of comfort and warmth. The penetrating heat from the hot stones relaxes the muscles, which allows for deeper relaxation, when compared with regular massage therapy.
Therapeutic Body Wraps can help with many soft tissue conditions which are aimed at decreasing chronic holding patterns, stimulating circulation and lymphatic flow, or by relaxing the body.
Aromatherapy uses essential oils extracted from plants and flowers to heal. Essential oils which represent the "essence" of plants are a highly concentrated volatile mixture of potent chemicals. They are found in the flowers, roots, bark, wood, resins, and in the case of citrus fruits, rinds of plants. Essential oils are used in a number of ways, most frequently mixed with oil and applied to the skin in the form of aromatherapy massage.
Elective 2
Advanced Therapeutic Massage
Direct Tissue Manipulation is a technique a therapist will utilize to go into the deep fascia, where adhesions have developed, to break down the adhesions and restore smooth, pain free movement to the patient. Students will learn advanced palation skills to release dysfunctional tissue in the body.
Geriatric Massage is a holistic massage therapy that treats the whole person, not just condition, in older patients. Geriatric massage differs from other massage techniques, as it utilizes altered standard techniques suited to the physical conditions in older populations. Geriatric massage therapy benefits older populations. Geriatric massage therapy benefits older persons in many ways. The need for touch is especially important among elderly who are often isolated due to physical impairment, or suffer from impairment of the other senses, especially vision and hearing . Deprivation of touch may result in feelings of worthlessness and result in depression. Massage helps to fill this void and provides the recipient with a sense of well-being. Massage has proven particularlyl useful in reducing anxiety and improving communication in Alzheimer's patients.
Rehabilitation Massage is a therapeutic treatment that promotes the healing of injured or fatigued muscles and tendons. These treatments can help to alleviate pain symptoms, promote relaxation, as well as revitalized and rejuvenate the body.
Cinical Internship
All students are required to do a minimum of 130 hours of supervised clinical. This allows students the opportunity to implement the massage techniques and business practices taught in the program. Massage therapy sessions are offered to the public in one of our private therapy rooms with our advanced students. This is a vital portion of the program giving the students the opportunity to work with a variety of clients with different conditions. Students find the clinical experience invaluable, allowing them to encounter real world situations while having access to the instructors' knowledge. Our students will graduate and enter the profession with hands on experience.
With the experience they acquire during clinical internship, students are able to enter the profession with skill and confidence.
NCE Review
The NCE is a national exam Iowa utilizes for the massage therapy board exam. The actual test is computerized, in a multiple choice format. ICNH prepares students throughout the program to successfully sit for the exam. Prior to completion of the clinical internship and graduation, students are brought back into the classroom to review information in order to further prepare for the exam.
National Pass Rate = 70.65%
Iowa Schools Pass Rate = 71.08%
Iowa College of Natural Health = 85.71%
(First time test takers) 1/2006 - 6/2006
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology
A & P play a vital role in the massage profession. The A & P classes are developed to ensure the massage student receives the information needed to safely practice therapeutic massage.
Anatomy
Skeletal System and Joints
Bone functions
Structure and formation
Bone remodeling
Parts of the bone
Types of bones
Joint classifications
Individual joints
Joints of the pectoral girdle and upper limb
Joints of the pelvic girdle and lower limbs
Muscular System
Muscle tissue and physiology of muscle contraction
Muscle energetics
Physical conditioning
Cardiac, smooth, and skeletal muscle
Medical terminology
Origin, insertion, and action of muscles
Physiology
Nervous system
Endocrine system
Reproductive system
Cardiovascular system
Lymphatic system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Urinary system
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
Medical Terminology/Care Plan
Medical terminology, medical charting, record keeping, confidentiality, clinical reasoning, problem solving, interpretation and analysis of assessment information.
Pathology
Pathology is the study of the nature and causes of disease as related to structure and function of the body. Therapists focus on maintaining health or a balanced state of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being called homeostasis. Health is the result of the organisms effective adaptation to change. Disease occurs when the demand to adapt exceeds the ability of the body and imbalance results. Therapists require a knowledge base and understanding of both the normal function of the body and the abnormal body functions of disease.
