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Massage Therapist Training Program
Every Body Loves a Massage!
Massage Therapy is a dynamic and rapidly growing profession. Did you know?
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Consumers visit massage therapists 114 million times each year.
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A total of 28% of adults say they had a massage in the past five years, compared with 17% in 1997.
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The percentage of American adults receiving one or more massages from a massage therapist in the previous year (18%) more than doubled since 1997 (8%).
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Among people who had experienced severe back, neck or shoulder pain, the rate of use of massage therapy increased from 14.6% in 1996 to 19.4% in 1999.
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Doctors and consumers are turning more and more to massage as an adjunct to regular health practices.
The topics we teach fall into three areas:
Massage Theory and Practice
At VAAS, we teach you a wide range of massage techniques. We also teach you how to assess a client's individual needs and how to develop a customized massage program to meet those needs.
In this subject, you will learn Swedish massage, acupressure/shiatsu massage, sports massage, massage for pregnant women, massage for people with injuries, seated massage, foot reflexology, deep tissue massage, energy massage, joint mobilization, rocking and shaking massage, professional draping procedures, body mechanics for the therapist, and assessment and customization of massage sessions.
To be a good Massage Therapist, you naturally need to know about the human body. Among other topics, you will learn about the structure and function of the musculo-skeletal system, including the origin, insertion, and action of muscles; range of motion; postural analysis; and kinesiology.
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Career Development
Since our aim is for you to make a good living through the practice of Massage Therapy, we at VAAS place a strong emphasis on the learning of business and professional skills. Many of our students are surprised to find that the business aspect of being a Massage Therapist can be just as fulfilling and growth-producing as giving a massage. This subject will help you start to build a successful professional practice whether working on your own or as an employee.
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Hands-On Practical Experience at the Student Clinic and Externship Site
VAAS offers two invaluable opportunities for students to gain hands-on practical experience: the VAAS Student Clinic and VAAS's Externship program. In the VAAS Student Clinic, you will use the massage skills you have learned, practicing on clients from the general public. The Student Clinic, servicing hundreds of appointments per month, allows your instructors to assess and assist your progress in a supervised, real-world setting.
With many locations to choose from, your Externship will give you valuable on-site experience and provide exceptional networking opportunities to prepare you for the transition to your professional career. At the same time, you will contribute to the greater health and well-being of your community.
Employers have indicated that they consider VAAS's Clinic and Externship to be two essential reasons why they prefer to hire VAAS graduates.
You will find the Student Clinic and Externship to be a powerful part of your training. You will see for yourself how massage makes a difference in people's lives. And you will gain confidence in yourself and in your growing abilities as a Massage Therapist.
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Massage Therapist Training Program includes:
Professionalism-Business
Basic Course Outline
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Commitment to Professionalism: Belonging to a Professional Association, Ethics, Insurance, Regulation
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Contraindications
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Massage Preparation: Environment, Sanitation, Atmosphere, Attitude
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Record Keeping: Client Condition Analysis, Assessment Forms
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Client Preparation: Cleanliness, Positioning, Draping, Oils, Lotions
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Exercise and Stress Management for the Massage Therapist
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Working with Special Populations
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Pathology
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Standard First Aid, Personal Safety
Performance Expectations
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to confidently:
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Determine/identify ethical and unethical conduct
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Identify contraindications of massage
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Be aware of massage regulation locally and nationwide
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Define a proper working environment
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Demonstrate competent record-keeping skills
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Demonstrate proper body mechanics
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Understand needs of special populations and how this affects massage therapy practice
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Identify diseases and the effect massage have on them
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Display a solid knowledge of first aid and personal safety
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Be aware of professional associations, publications and continuing education alternatives that offer means of honing skills and staying abreast of developments in the field
Theory, Practice and Techniques
Students should be encouraged to practice outside the classroom situation in addition to the practical supervised application within the school environment.
Basic Course Outline
- History of Massage Techniques
- Basic Principles of Massage
- Procedures for General Complete Body Massage and Local Massage
- Physiological Effects of Massage
- Emotional and Mental Effects of Massage
Performance Expectations
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
- Know the historical background of a given technique
- Be able to explain the body's ability to use itself to heal itself
- Recognize violations and suggest a correction
- Create a sample of an informative and accurate client form
- Demonstrate appropriate client preparation
- Recognize contraindications
- Demonstrate a set procedure for full-body massage
- Know the effects of massage on given areas of the body
Anatomy & Physiology for Massage
Basic Course Outline
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Cells, Tissues, Organs, Systems
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Skeletal System: Upper and Lower Extremities
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Musculoskeletal System: Action, Connective Tissues, Axial Skeleton, Upper and Lower Extremities
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Circulatory System: Components and Functions
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Respiratory System: Organs and Functions
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Digestive/Excretory System: Organs and Functions
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Nervous System: Components and Function of Cerebral/Spinal and Sympathetic Systems
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Glandular System: Ducts, Endocrine Glands, Functions
Performance Expectations
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
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Define basic anatomy and physiology terms taught within the course
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Identify on a diagram basic skeletal system components
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Identify on a diagram connective tissues, origin and insertions of muscles of the axial skeleton, muscles of the upper and lower extremities
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Identify on a diagram the major components of the lymph/vascular system and blood/vascular system
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Identify the components of the respiratory system, as well as define the function of each
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Identify the components of the digestive/excretory system, as well as define the function of each
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Identify the basic components of the nervous system, as well as demonstrate a knowledge of the functions of each
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Identify the various organs and glands within the glandular system which perform the function of secretion
Student Clinics
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