History Of Massage

The evolution of massage therapy as the practice we recognize today is still greatly influenced by the foundations developed by a wide range of cultures over many centuries. Read also a small article written about why choose  Massage Therapy. How about testing  your level of  Stress very informative, how about the  benefits of Massage Therapy. Also while you are exploring this information glance through the FAQ section.

Reflexology 

Reflexology has been used for centuries as a diagnostic tool to determine systemic ailments and assist in identifying proper treatments in the human body. Students will be taught this ancient healing techniques used to increase body functions with reflex points located on the hands and feet. Students will also learn to use foot zone therapy as a diagnostic tool in the identification and assessment of internal body functioning.

Swedish Massage

The foundations of many massage techniques stem directly from the techniques used in Swedish Massage. The movement techniques taught will help the student develop strokes, body centering, and palpation of muscles. These techniques will also include the introduction of body awareness skills used by the ancient Chinese over 5,000 years ago. Draping techniques, use of oils, breathing, client interaction, and practitioner self care are also topics addressed in this course

Anatomy & Physiology

An in depth understanding of human anatomy and the associated physiology of the various organ systems is essential to the practice of massage therapy. This class provides the student with a comprehensive investigation of all organ systems and an understanding of the physiological workings of these systems. Topics are discussed in a general scientific approach, but geared toward the understanding of these systems in a dynamic perspective, in maintaining homeostasis in the body as a whole. This is linked to the practice of massage, and how manipulation through massage can effect the functioning of various systems. The topics discussed in this course will include: molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organ system levels of organization.

Interpersonal Communication

It soon becomes apparent as the student begins his or her application of massage on others that communication is an important aspect of massage. A therapist needs an understanding of basic counselling skills in relation to their clients. This course will focus on learning communication skills used in listening and sending messages as well as an introduction to the basic counselling skills and principles as they relate to the client-therapist relationship. Self-awareness will be taught as a focus for the art of self-help. Students will be trained in the warning signals in mental health trauma and how to deal with delicate situations. Discussion on when to refer to qualified professionals will be covered as well as emphasizing empathetic regard for the client.

Shiatsu Massage

The art of healing is as old as civilization. Shiatsu literally means finger (shi) pressure (atsu). Ancient Chinese medicine used pressure points to help their patients overcome many illnesses. Students will study acupressure, meridian points and range of motion. Barefoot shiatsu is stimulation of the body with the hands and fingers and skilful use of the feet. It involves systematically stimulating the energy circuits or meridians of the receiver to permit natural healing powers of the body to surface and act. It endeavours to treat and balance the whole person, harmonizing both mind and body.

Herbology & Nutrition

The Academy of Natural Therapy is a healing motivated school. One focus of our training is to give the student an understanding of what constitutes a healthy and comfortable body. Working on the muscles through manipulation, trigger points, and reflexology gives the therapist many signals of nutritional deficiencies. This course provides advanced understanding of nutrition and herbal medicine as it is applied to good health, both historically and today by physicians and herboligists. We’ll study basic food groups, Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA’s) the pathology of disease as it is applied to poor nutrition, and herbal and nutritional treatments.

Neuromuscular Re-Education

The emphasis of the entire program is brought together in this course. Neuromuscular re-education is a basis for correcting many injuries through muscle manipulation. Dr. Dwane Sole is the inspiration for starting the Academy of Natural Therapy. His technique of muscle therapy was developed centuries ago in Germany by physicians in the medical arts. Dr. Sole took the basic German techniques and combined his knowledge learned in chiropractic modalities to successfully address illnesses due to muscle distortions of the cranial as well as the torso and extremities. His 50 years of experience was shared with only a handful of students before his passing. He originally taught the Sole technique at this academy. This course is very similar and emphasizes many of techniques used by Dr. Sole in correcting muscular problems. The instructor of this course and founder of both the clinic and the academy (Dorothy Mongan) was personally taught by Dr. Sole and he remained her mentor for many years prior to the opening of the school. His technique stresses body integration through myofacial manipulation. The deep muscle penetration creates muscle release, circulation and muscle repair.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy encompasses the use of of water therapies both in pools and on land to expand the number of healing modalities available to the therapist and assist in a variety of unique ways. Use of water as a clinical tool is demonstrated, along with various mud and herbal body wraps. Severely handicapped and crippled clients have special needs and can benefit greatly from this modality. Very few schools have the facilities necessary to offer this class. Students will be taught the effectiveness of enhancing range of motion and assisting in muscle release in a 102 degree pool. Hydrotherapy exercises for special cases such as: post surgery, sports injury, infant and child therapy techniques are also addressed.

Chair Massage

Currently, one of the most widely practiced forms of massage is the on-site chair massage. Ironically, this method is also easily taught and learned. The instruction of chair massage techniques in the first quarter allows the student to begin practicing massage from the first week of classes Chair massage is distinctive from other types of massage, in that it uses a portable massage chair that can be used in a variety of settings, it requires no oils or lotions and the subjects are fully clothed during the massage. Still, it is the most beneficial, cost effective methods that require minimal time investment by both the client and therapist.

Pathology for Practitioners

It is necessary for the student, as a therapist, to be able to identify, and understand the risks of pathological conditions in a therapeutic setting. Students will learn to identify specific diseases associated with all eleven organ systems. Lectures will cover recognition and management of specific diseases seen by massage therapists, and indications and contraindications of bodywork associated with specific diseases. Practical experience will enhance the student’s awareness of the mind-body relationship being manipulated in the massage therapist practice.

Kinesiology

Kinesiolgy is the science depicting the relationship between muscles and their anatomy to human movement. This course will focus on identifying the origin, insertion, and actions of individual muscles and muscle groups. These concepts are essential for developing a clear understanding of how massage work is used in relation to releasing muscles to facilitate free movement. The physical basis of movement and postural distortions will be addressed, along with an introduction to basis body mechanics, awareness, and self care.

Again lab time will be an essential component incorperated into this course, and may be used for dissection, muscle identification, visualizing the connections to the bones, pin-pointing the origins and insertions of muscles and identifying how they interact with one another and with other organ systems. Microscopic examination of the muscles may be included to view cellular structures.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage has been used for centuries in the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries, and to help improve athlete performance. Sports Massage is readily used by many professional athletes, including the U.S. Olympic Team, and it’s acceptance as an effective means of sport enhancement is apparent across a wide range of professionals, at varying levels of competition. This class provides an introduction into the practices of Sports Massage for those students wishing to continue into this field. Students are taught pre-, post-, and inter-competition techniques. In addition, they learn the theoretical coorelation between massage therapy and enhanced performance, injury prevention and the reduction of injury severity and recovery time.

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

In the event that a therapist would have to deal with an emergency, C.P.R is taught. Instructors from Aims Community College travel to the school and provide the instruction for this course. Students will receive a card certifying their training in C.P.R. Students will be taught life saving resuscitation techniques, practicing with fellow students and anatomically correct dolls.

Business & Professional Ethics

 

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