Massage Therapy Theory and Practice - 200 Clock Hours

The basics of massage therapy are studied in this course, consisting of lecturing and hands-on methods of learning. In lecturing, the primary massage therapy technique, Swedish massage therapy, and variations thereof, are taught, along with fundamental practices such as draping, oils and creams available for use, contraindications, and professional and appropriate body mechanics. Along with learning the necessary therapy procedures, students will spend course hours practicing therapeutic and healing massages using the techniques studied. Teachers will use this time to evaluate the students' techniques and help them enhance their ability to heal through massage.

Since the therapist/client relationship involves more than just massage therapy; interviewing, listening and observation skills will be taught to enhance the relationship the therapist has with his or her client. It is during the massage therapy theory and practice course that business-related issues are discussed, giving the student information that is necessary to starting on their journey as a massage therapist. Along with these various subjects is the student clinic internship, in which students have the opportunity to work with the public, practicing their skills under teacher supervision.

Included in Massage Therapy Theory and Practice are 21 Clock Hours of Hydrotherapy and Spa Treatments. This course discusses the many benefits of water as a therapeutic tool in massage therapy and rehabilitation. The student will learn the history, philosophy and culture of the spa experience and will be introduced to various spa treatments. Using water through ice packs, heat packs, saunas and steam baths are studied, as well as the use of contrast applications, paraffin dips, salt glows, and herbal wraps.

Also included in Massage Therapy Theory and Practice is 15 Clock Hours of Fieldwork. Fieldwork is a time to enhance your massage skills as well as your people skills. this time is outside of classroom instruction. Arrangements have been made with civic and health organizations in the community to provide chair and table massage for clients and employees. These events are supervised and required for graduation.

Allied Modalities - 125 Clock Hours

Techniques and procedures of massage therapy are studied in allied modalities. Areas of study include clinical and sports massage, oriental techniques, reflexology, CPR and First Aid, infant and prenatal massage, cranial sacral, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, and postual integration.

We are privileged to have nationally and internationally known instructors at Augusta School of Massage, Inc. James Waslaski, nationally known speaker and educator, from Dallas, Texas, teaches a unique 12-step multi-disciplinary approach to pain management, clinical sports massage and pre and post event massage. His unique seminar goes far beyond the traditional clinical sports massage training by addressing all the common medical and orthopedic conditions found in most clients. This seminar focuses on restoring pain-free joint range of motion and integrating complete structural balance.

Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology - 125 Clock Hours

This beginning course in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology teaches students the major body systems and functions while focusing primarily on the skeletal and muscular systems. Medical terminology is learned in order to ensure that the student can easily communicate with other healthcare professionals. The student also learns detailed information about the body's intricate muscular and skeletal systems, body movement, and how muscle pain can affect basic, normal, and important functions of the body.

Muscular and skeletal anatomy is explored in a deeper and more creative way through anatomy with Manikens™, as massage school students use clay to build muscles onto models of the human skeleton. This will assist the student in retaining primary information necessary for becoming a skilled massage therapist.

The later part of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology advance the student into more detailed body systems and how those systems relate to massage therapy. The immune system, nervous system, and endocrine system are studied in depth, with focus on pain and nerve impulses and pathways, the function and make-up of the brain and how it interacts with the nervous system and endocrine gland function. The body's emotional system is also explored, examining stress and relaxation and how it relates to brain and body function.

Business & Ethics - 40 Clock Hours

Students are taught valuable business skills including how to market their services. The history of massage therapy is discussed in this course, along with the importance of ethics in a professional practice. National law as well as of Georgia and surrounding states' restrictions and policies are discussed, preparing the student to have good business practices.

Clinical Pathology and Contraindications - 60 Clock Hours

The importance of learning contraindications in massage therapy cannot be understated. In this course, contraindications and pathology are studied in relation to the massage therapist's role in the overall health and well being of his or her client. Understanding symptoms of pathology is important in order to avoid complications of the client's condition and keep them from further health risk. The massage therapist professional must know when to refer their client to other health care professionals in place of, or in addition to, massage therapy care.

Included in Clinical Pathology and Contraindications is 4 Clock Hours of AIDS/HIV Education. AIDS and HIV are studied for two reasons in this short course. One, the student must have a clear knowledge of how AIDS/HIV is spread in order to avoid unnecessary fears and yet safely treat the HIV infected patient. Secondly, the massage school student learns up to date information on the advantages of massage therapy for the HIV infected person.

Massage Clinic - 50 Clock Hours

During clinical experience the Augusta School of Massage students will be closely monitored by the instructing staff, tableside teaching will occur, and the process developed as an interactive learning experience among the practice clients, student practitioners, and the instructing staff. The clients will be made aware that the students are involved in an active learning experience and that constructive feedback is important in order for the student to continue to integrate and improve their skills. They will also be made aware that the instructing staff will be interacting with the student during the massage sessions, providing correction, suggestion and reinforcement. Students will be asked to be open to feedback, able to learn with tableside instruction, open to correction without becoming embarrassed or defiant, and engage the client in an active learning experience.