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why a massage profession?

why HVSMT?

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Courses...

Semester 1

Program consists of a total of 1040 clock hours.
 

Orientation: (Prior to the semester start). Is an introduction to institution policies, including expectations and available student services. A pre-admission assessment is given to every student.

Please note that the following is based on a full-time program. A part-time program is typically eight (8) semesters.

 

Professional Development & Ethics:This course teaches self-development and recognition of communication, self-accountability, stress management, sexual issues, ethical dilemmas, immoral conduct, record keeping, and code of ethics. The teaching methodology for this course will be primarily class lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Orientation

Western I: This course introduces basic massage therapy theory, terminology, and skills that will provide the foundation for further study. Students will experience giving and receiving full body classic Western Massage with the following techniques: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, vibration, shaking, compressions, rocking, joint movements and stretches. The use and ingredients of topical substances used in massage are discussed, including liniments and lubricants such as powders, oils, gels, lotions, and creams. Effective and appropriate draping and use of body supports and bolsters are practiced and proper body mechanics are demonstrated and encouraged. The student will be encouraged to develop sensitivity, intuition, and centeredness. Effects, benefits, and indications for massage are introduced as well as precautions and endangerment sites. The history and evolution of massage therapy are discussed. By the end of the semester the student will be able to demonstrate a basic full-body wellness massage. The teaching methodology for all classes will consist of a combination of structured lecture and supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Orientation

Co-requisites: Professional Development and Ethics, Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology Myology I

Eastern 1: This course covers basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and shiatsu theory, Yin/Yang, The Vital Substances, Five Element Theory, functions of Organs and Channels, causes of disease, eight principles, four methods of diagnosis, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal Associations. The teaching methodology for all classes will primarily be structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Orientation

Anatomy & Physiology 1:This course covers the levels of body organization, the control of homeostasis, basic anatomical terminology, body cavities, the basic principles of bio-chemicals and how they work within the body, cell types and their functions, tissue types and their functions, the integumentary system, and bone tissue. The teaching methodology for all classes will primarily be structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Orientation

Kinesiology & Myology 1: This course covers the bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton, their significant landmarks and functions, structural and functional aspects of joints as well as their motions and locations in the body. Also covered are the origins, insertions and actions of several major muscles relevant to massage therapy. The teaching methodology for all classes will consist of primarily structured lecture and supervised lab.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Orientation

 

Semester 2

Pre-requisite for the following courses: Kinesiology & Myology 1, Anatomy and Physiology 1, Western 1, Eastern 1, Professional Development and Ethics 1
 

Western 2:This course covers various topics such as: various effects of massage therapy; indications/precautions of Swedish Massage; approaches to care; personal health, hygiene, and appearance; sanitation; prevention of the transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, including use of gloves with massage therapy; body mechanics for massage therapy. Various massage techniques are taught including: joint movement, muscle energy techniques including concepts of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), post-isometric relaxation (PIR), stretching and strengthening techniques, trigger-point therapy, deep tissue massage and complementary body work modalities including, but not limited to, myofascial release (MFR) techniques, reflexology, sports massage, chair massage, pregnancy massage and hydrotherapy. In addition, considerations for serving special populations, including abused individuals are discussed. Muscle review including hands-on palpation will also be included. The teaching methodology of this class will be a combination of structured lecture and supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 104

Prerequisites: Western I, Kinesiology & Myology 1, Anatomy & Physiology I, Professional Development & Ethics

Co-requisites: Anatomy & Physiology 2 & Kinesiology & Myology 2

Eastern 2: This course includes instruction of general meridian pathways and specific point locations pertaining to each of the 12 Primary Channels and the 2 Extraordinary Channels (Conception and Governing Vessels) with reference to Western anatomical position. Students will be expected to have a working knowledge of shiatsu theory obtained from Eastern 1. An understanding of shiatsu theory, meridian pathways, significant and specific point locations, and shiatsu technique will be combined to enable students to create and perform a 45 minute basic shiatsu routine. The teaching methodology for this class will be a combination of structured lecture and supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Eastern I , Professional Development and Ethics, Kinesiology & Myology 1, Anatomy & Physiology 1

Co-requisites: Anatomy & Physiology 2, Kinesiology & Myology 2

Anatomy & Physiology 2: This course covers muscle tissue, the heart, the respiratory system, the blood, blood vessels and hemodynamics, and the lymphatic system. The teaching methodology for all classes will consist of structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Kinesiology & Myology 1, Anatomy & Physiology 1

Kinesiology & Myology 2: This course covers the origins, insertions and actions of the muscles of the body that are not covered in Kinesiology & Myology 1. The teaching methodology for all classes will consist of structured lecture and supervised lab.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Kinesiology & Myology 1, Anatomy & Physiology 1

 

Semester 3

Pre-requisite for the following courses: Kinesiology & Myology 2, Anatomy and Physiology 2, Western 2, Eastern 2, Professional Development and Ethics 2
 

Medical Massage: Topics for this course include the foundations of orthopedic massage, various forms of assessment, indications and precautions in the practice of massage. Specific disease and injury conditions will be discussed, including conditions that may include limited mobility or sensation, and inflammation, as well as specific tests and treatments for these conditions. In addition, application of proper technique including the use of hydrotherapy, cryotherapy and stretches will be covered. An introductory student clinic internship will be included in the second half of the course. The teaching methodology for this course will consist of structured and supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 104

Prerequisites: Western 2, Anatomy & Physiology 2, Kinesiology & Myology 2

Eastern 3: This course covers assessment and diagnosis according to Oriental theory, Yu/Shu points, Bo/Mu points, source points, hara palpation, excess and deficiency of the Five Elements, chair and table shiatsu. A shiatsu clinic internship is included with this class. The teaching methodology for classes will be structured lecture and supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Eastern 2, Kinesiology & Myology 2, Anatomy & Physiology 2

Neurology: This course covers significant structures, divisions and functions of nervous tissue, significant structures, divisions and functions of the spinal cord and spinal nerves, significant structures, divisions and functions of the brain and cranial nerve, how the autonomic nervous system works to maintain homeostasis, sensation, perception, motor pathways and kinesthetic awareness, the integrating functions of the cerebellum, smell, taste, sight, equilibrium and hearing. The teaching methodology for this course consists primarily of class lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology 1

Pathology 1: This course covers integumentary, muscular, circulatory and lymphatic system conditions commonly encountered by, and relevant to, massage therapists. The teaching methodology for this class consists of structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology 2

 

Semester 4

Pre-requisite for the following courses: Neurology, Pathology 1, Medical Massage, Eastern 3, Professional Development & Ethics 3
 

Clinic Internship: Under supervision of our own Licensed Massage Therapists, students work at our on-site clinic to practice treatments on a variety of body types. The student learns how to take client history, use intake procedures, research medical literature and assess each individual client to determine appropriate treatments and tailor the massage therapy session toward the client. All sessions will be charted by the student using SOAP notes. Students are also taken to off-site activities such as United Way events and nursing home activities. One four-hour supervised weekend off-site activity is mandatory and included in the curriculum. The teaching methodology for this course will consist primarily of supervised hands-on practice.

Clock Hours: 84

Prerequisites: Medical Massage, Eastern 3, Anatomy & Physiology 2, Kinesiology & Myology 2, Neurology, Pathology1

Co-requisites: Anatomy & Physiology 3, Kinesiology & Myology 3, Pathology 2, Business

Business Practices: The purpose of this course is to develop skills necessary for career planning and how to establish, manage, market, maintain and grow a practice. This course also reviews New York State laws and professional conduct. Maintaining accurate records to satisfy state, local and federal government will be discussed. Students will develop a business card, resume with cover letter, build a resource file, learn how to construct a business plan and design a brochure. The teaching methodology for this course will primarily consist of structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 24

Prerequisites: Professional Development and Ethics, Eastern 3, Medical Massage

Co-requisites: Clinic Internship

Anatomy & Physiology 3: This course covers the endocrine, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems, metabolism, fluid electrolyte, acid/base homeostasis, and development and inheritance. The teaching methodology of this course consists primarily of structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology 2

Kinesiology & Myology 3: This course covers a review of the major muscles learned in Kinesiology & Myology 1 and 2, as well as range of motion, muscle testing and nerve innervation of muscles relevant in assessing common muscular-skeletal dysfunction. A review of the biomechanics of the skeleton is also discussed. The teaching methodology will be a combination of structured lectured and supervised hands-on palpation and practice.

Clock Hours: 48

Prerequisites: Kinesiology & Myology 2, Anatomy & Physiology 2, Neurology, Pathology 1

Pathology 2: This course covers pathologies of the nervous, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems and miscellaneous conditions commonly encountered by, and relevant to, massage therapists. The teaching methodology will consist of structured lecture.

Clock Hours: 52

Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology 2, Neurology, Pathology 1

 

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85 South Street, Highland, NY 12561 : Directions
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info@HVSMassageTherapy.com