Massage and Related Courses
*Swedish Massage Curriculum Objectives
To nurture confidence and personal growth, inspiring more understanding
and compassion in the individual. To teach a significant understanding
of the value of touch and the psychological implications that accompany
all massage work. To impart a holistic understanding of the benefits,
effects, and limitations of massage therapy to appropriately refer clients
to other health professionals when necessary. To teach a working competence
in the practical use of Swedish Massage. To teach proper movement skills
for each individual to prevent work-related injuries. To teach a significant
introduction to pregnancy massage and to present an opportunity for students
to massage children. To give students the opportunity to massage members
of the elder population.
Swedish Massage (177 Hours)
This is the foundation of techniques taught at DSM. Holistically presented
in theory and technique, Swedish is interwoven with other representations
of manipulative, soft tissue therapies for the purpose of individualizing
treatments. Students will become competent in techniques and learn theory,
contraindications, therapeutic benefits, effects, and history of Swedish
Massage in relationship to manipulative therapies. Advanced techniques
are practiced and supported by Kinesiology. Special classes on headaches
and blindfold massage are a part of the massage course curriculum. Video
mechanics classes are a support arm of all table technique classes. Students
are videotaped so they can actually see themselves practice massage. DSM
invites pregnant women to participate in the biannual Pregnancy Massage
Clinic. Students learn contraindications and physical support mechanisms
by lecture and technique, as well as by demonstration and practice, before
the Pregnancy Massage Clinic. The clinic gives the student the opportunity
to practice, under supervision, with women in various stages of pregnancy.
In another supervised setting, students have the opportunity to practice
massage techniques on children at the annual community-supported Children's
Massage Clinic. Students learn just how much children love massage! For
the elder population, students will learn basic information, contraindications,
and techniques to work with the elderly. Out-of-class work includes log
hours, a massage project, case studies, homework, and four treatments
from professional, working therapists. Students must have a 75% grade
average to pass Swedish Massage and complete all course requirements.
*Centering Curriculum Objectives
To introduce students to the Body/Mind perspective and its relationship
to massage therapy. To teach and practice centering techniques that can
be easily applied and integrated into the students personal and
professional lives.
Centering Techniques for Body/Mind (6 Hours)
This course offers students a practical philosophy and set of techniques
which
help to bring the body/mind into balance, thus promoting physical and
emotional healing, relaxation, and well-being. Students will learn concepts
and techniques that can be easily applied and integrated into their personal
and professional lives. Content includes a variety of breathing and centering
techniques, basic movement techniques, mindfulness, biofeedback, self-hypnosis,
visualization and imagery, and Concept of 100 Percent Responsibility.
Attendance and participation make this course Pass/Fail.
*Introduction to Self-Care and Professional Development Course
Objective
To explore the emotional and physical challenges and responsibilities
encountered while learning to become a professional massage therapist.
Introduction to Self-Care and Professional Development (12 Hours)
Facilitated small-group discussions explore such topics as boundaries,
injury prevention, sexuality, emotional release, trauma issues, burnout,
dual relationships, money, transference, countertransference, supervision,
and communication. The experiences of participants and working professionals
are used to gain insights into the complexity of client/therapist relationships.
As a formal commitment to good physical health, the student is required
to perform and log appropriate forms of exercise during the school year.
Attendance, participation, and a paper written and presented are all necessary
for completion. This is a Pass/Fail course.
Clinic (57 Hours)
Valuable in-class hours offer the student the opportunity to work with
the public in a supervised setting. Each year DSM advertises to the community
that student massage is available for a reasonable charge, and the response
has made the clinic a success. Clinic supervisors work directly with the
students, helping with technique, checking medical histories and SOAP
notes, developing treatment goals, and monitoring student body mechanics.
Clinic participants give feedback to students through evaluation forms.
Participation and attendance make this course Pass/Fail.
*Deep Tissue Therapy and Static & Motion Analysis Curricula
Objective
To teach effective deep tissue techniques and postural assessment
to enhance therapeutic practice.
Deep Tissue Therapy (28 Hours)
This course includes an introduction to rehabilitative techniques used
to treat chronic pain produced by Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and muscular
dysfunction from injury. The foundation of this class is the research
of Ida Rolf, Dr. Janet Travell, Thomas Myers, and Paul St. John, and the
effective techniques they developed. Subsequent work done by other practitioners
in the field of therapeutic bodywork is incorporated. The techniques used
for Deep Tissue Therapy include energy work, exercises in tissue-listening,
myofascial release, a variety of energizing movement techniques for personal
centering, and client reeducation. Participation and attendance make Deep
Tissue Therapy Pass/Fail.
Static & Motion Analysis (12 Hours)
This course will present a basic overview of the techniques and clinical
reasoning behind the assessment of static and motion analysis. Students
will learn how to use visual cues in assessing clients’ postural
holding patterns. Students will participate in gait analysis, and differentiate
holding patterns through active and passive range of motion testing. This
is a practical participation class that links Swedish, Kinesiology, and
Deep Tissue courses. It is Pass/Fail.
*Reflexology Curriculum Objective
To teach a significant introduction to Reflexology.
Reflexology (6 Hours)
Students will be able to incorporate Reflexology into a massage treatment.
Specific techniques, zone areas, and sequence are taught in order to understand
reflexology methods, history, and philosophy. Reflexology is Pass/Fail.
*Hydrotherapy Curriculum Objective
To teach a significant introduction to Hydrotherapy.
Hydrotherapy (12 Hours)
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in solid, liquid, or gaseous form. Students
experience and learn functional applications of sauna, spa, steam, ice,
paraffin, and hydrocollator as used in massage therapy. It includes principles
of hydrotherapy and contraindications, as well as salt glows, fomentations,
and cold packs. Hydrotherapy is a Pass/Fail course.
*The Lymph Zone Curriculum Objective
To introduce students to the modality of Lymphatic Drainage
The Lymph Zone (6 Hours)
The lymphatic system is beautifully complex, yet fluid with a rhythm all
its own. Students will enhance their knowledge of lymphatic anatomy and
physiology through lecture and hands-on experience. Discussion of edema
and lymphedema will also be included. Each student will have the opportunity
to feel the lymphatic rhythm and learn self-lymphatic drainage. Attendance
and participation make this class Pass/Fail.
*Introduction to Shiatsu Curriculum Objective
To teach an introduction to Shiatsu.
Introduction to Shiatsu (6 Hours)
For philosophy and diversity, this mandatory course gives the student
an introduction to an Eastern bodywork. Students will be introduced to
the basic premise of Oriental medicine, the 5 principles of Shiatsu, meridian
lines, Yin/Yang Theory, Chi or Ki, the hara, and tsubos. Attendance and
participation make this course Pass/Fail.
