Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy Program
If you think that a massage is something people get to pamper themselves, you're only 31% right. A recent study by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) found that 69% of massages today are for medical reasons, relaxation and stress reduction.
According to the AMTA, the massage therapist "applies manual techniques and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client." These techniques include hands-on muscle manipulation as well as adjunctive therapies such as hydrotherapy and reflexology.
You can join this fascinating field with the Associate's in Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy from Northwestern College. Talk about a hands-on education! Northwestern College's Massage Therapy program combines healthcare-related instruction with business-related topics and general education subjects to provide a well-rounded curriculum to prepare you for success in this fast-growing field.
Massage Therapy Program Overview
- Apply, perform and modify massage methods and muscle energy techniques in an ergonomically correct manner
- Understand the application and explain the physiological outcome of massage manipulations and techniques
- Perform and integrate passive and active forms of joint movement for assessment and therapy
- Analyze assessment information to develop appropriate therapeutic massage treatment plans using clinical reasoning/problem solving
- Maintain proper charting, recordkeeping, reporting and business procedures
What You Can Learn
With an associate degree in massage therapy, you can:
- Convey medical and professional ethics to the massage therapy scope and standards of practice.
- Apply and modify these techniques in an ergonomic manner:
- Effleurage
- Petrissage
- Kneading
- Tapotement
- Vibration
- Shaking
- Compressions
- Assume appropriate sanitary and universal precaution measures.
- Perform muscular manipulations learned in massage therapy modalities:
- Swedish Massage
- Scalp Massage
- Cold Therapy
- Heat Therapy
- Reflexology
- Myofascial Massage
- Chair Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Therapeutic Massage ... and more
- Maintain proper medical charts, orderly recordkeeping, and timely reporting.
- Concentrate on the emphasis of massage therapy that teaches you the protocols of business:
- Management
- Marketing
- Accounting
- Small Business
- Massage Therapy Entrepreneurship
- Link anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, and pathology to the practice of massage therapy.
- Concentrate on the medical emphasis of massage therapy:
- Clinical Massage
- Orthopedic Massage
- Medical Massage
- Scar Massage
- Pregnancy Massage
- Pediatric Massage
- Geriatric Massage
- Lymphatic Massage ... and more
- Integrate active and passive forms of joint movement in anatomical assessments.
Massage Therapy Career Opportunities
Massage therapy is a rapidly growing profession, and a number of employers are adding massage therapists to their staff, including sports medicine centers, holistic health centers, chiropractic and naprapathic practices, orthopedic clinics, health and fitness centers, spas and physical/occupational therapy departments. Massage therapists can also start their own private practice or work in a hospital.
Accreditation
Northwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.
Requirements and Course Offerings
General and Degree Requirements and Course Offerings
