Our curriculum is taken directly from the guidelines of the National Certification Board for Massage Therapy and Bodywork

In addition to the following list, the program includes week-long seminars in shiatsu, pregnancy massage, reflexology, Thai yoga massage, sports, and deep tissue massage.

I. General Knowledge of Body Systems (14%)
A. Anatomy B. Physiology C. Pathology
1. Integumentary (skin)
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Endocrine
6. Cardiovascular
7. Lymphatic
8. Urinary
9. Respiratory
10.Gastrointestinal
11.Reproductive


II. Detailed Knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, and
Kinesiology (26%)
A. Anatomy
1. Anatomical position and terminology (e.g.,
planes, directions)
2. Individual muscles/muscle groups
3. Muscle attachments
4. Muscle fiber direction
5. Tendons
6. Fascia
7. Joint structure
8. Ligaments
9. Bursae
10.Dermatomes
B. Physiology
1. Response of the body to stress
2. Basic nutrition principles
C. Kinesiology
1. Actions of individual muscles/muscle groups
2. Types of muscle contractions (e.g., concentric,
eccentric, isometric)
3. Joint movements
4. Movement patterns
5. Proprioception


III. Pathology (14%)
A. Medical terminology
B. Etiology of disease
C. Modes of contagious disease transmission (e.g.,
blood, saliva)
D. Signs and symptoms of disease
E. Psychological and emotional states (e.g., depression,
anxiety, grief)
F. Effects of life stages (e.g., childhood, adolescence,
geriatric)
G. Effects of physical and emotional abuse and trauma
H. Factors that aggravate or alleviate disease (e.g.,
biological, psychological, environmental)
I. Physiological healing process
J. Indications and contraindications/cautions
K. Principles of acute versus chronic conditions
L. Stages/aspects of serious/terminal illness (e.g.,
cancer, AIDS)
M. Basic pharmacology
1. Prescription medications
2. Recreational drugs (e.g., tobacco, alcohol)
3. Herbs
4. Natural supplements
N. Approaches used by other health professionals


IV. Therapeutic Massage Assessment (16%)
A. Assessment methods (visual, palpatory, auditory,
olfactory, intuitive)
B. Assessing range of motion
C. Assessment areas (soft tissues and bony landmarks,
endangerment sites, trigger points, adhesions,
lymphatic edema, pulse rate)
D. Holding patterns (e.g., guarding, muscle/fascial
memory)
E. Posture analysis
F. Structural and functional integration
G. Ergonomic factors
H. Effects of gravity
I. Proprioception of movement


V. Therapeutic Massage Application (24%)
A. Theory
1. Effects/benefits of massage/bodywork (physiological,
emotional/psychological)
B. Methods and Techniques
1. Client draping and positional support techniques
2. Hydrotherapy/ hydromassage application
3. Stress management and relaxation techniques
4. Self-care activities for the client to maintain health
(e.g., stretching, swimming)
5. Principles of holistic practice/approach
6. Postural balancing
7. Use of massage tools
8. Enhancing client's kinesthetic awareness
9. Joint movement techniques
10.Static touch/holding
11.Techniques/strokes (compression/ palming, cupping,
flicking, friction, gliding, hair pulling,
jostling, kneading, percussion, pinching, rocking,
shaking, skin rolling, torquing, traction, vibration)
12.Stretching (e.g., active stretching, passive stretching,
resisted stretching, cross-directional stretching,
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation [PNF],
Muscle Energy Technique [MET], reciprocal inhibition,
Active Isolated Stretching [AIS])
13. Aromatherapy
14.Topical analgesics
15.Gauging pressure as appropriate
16.Practitioner body mechanics
17.Standard Precautions


VI. Professional Standards, Ethics, Business and Legal
Practices (6%)
A. Maintaining professional boundaries while
responding to client's emotional needs
B. Client interviewing techniques
C. Communication with other health professionals
D. When to refer clients to other health professionals
E. Verbal and nonverbal communication skills
F. NCBTMB Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice
G. Issues of confidentiality
H. Legal and ethical parameters of scope of practice
I. Basic psychological and physical dynamics of
practitioner/client relationship
J. Planning strategies for single and multiple sessions
K. Session record keeping practices
L. Basic business and accounting practices
M. Outsourcing business needs (e.g., insurance
billing, bookkeeping)
N. Regulations pertaining to income reporting
O. Need for liability insurance
P. State and local credentialing requirements
Q. Legal entities (e.g., independent contractor,
employee)