750 Hour Massage Therapy Program
Course Descriptions

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• Courses are held days, nights, and weekends on a rotating basis.  All courses will be offered at least 2 times per year.
• Programs A and B take 14 months to complete and consist of 641 in-class hours plus 109 required student clinic and event hours.
• Program C is possible to complete in 14 months, however the student may take up to 3 years from the first day of class to complete all courses for a total of 750 hours which includes 641 in-class hours plus 109 required student clinic and event hours.
• Program D takes 10 months to complete and consists of 640 in-class hours plus 110 required student clinic and event hours.
• All classes must have a minimum of 4 registered students in order to be held.
• Major holidays are observed and no class is held on New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

In standard Western medical language, students will learn and become comfortable with locating and palpating all of the major muscles and bones in the human body, where and how muscles attach, and principles of movement also known as muscle actions.

This course will be comprised of the 11 major systems of the human body, such as the digestive system and the circulatory system.  Students will learn the proper function of each system and how all of the systems interrelate and correspond to the overall health of the individual.  Emphasis will be placed on the effects of Massage Therapy on each system and the physiological reasoning as to why massage techniques are used or avoided in various common situations.  A correlation of western physiology to eastern Oriental Medicine is also discussed.

Students will discuss topics relating to the ethical nature of massage therapy including dealing with contagious diseases such as AIDS/HIV, appropriate client and therapist behavior, how to identify and what to do when a client experiences an emotional release, setting boundaries, implied consent, HIPPA laws and issues of confidentiality, working in a hospital setting, and handling missed appointments.

This class will guide students step by step through creating a professional and usable business plan for the massage therapist in private practice.  Students will learn about the local laws governing massage therapy, how to apply for the required licensing, handling insurance payments, dealing with doctors and other health care providers, advertising and networking, taxes and accounting, and professional membership organizations.  The last day of class each student will make a formal presentation of their business plan.

(this course will be waived if the student shows proof of current CPR  & First Aid Certification)

CPR and First Aid are crucial areas of knowledge for health care providers.  This course will be provided by an authorized agency at least 2 times each calendar year, dates to be announced.

(Special Note for Program C:  The following hands-on massage courses may only be taken if the student is currently enrolled in or has completed the Anatomy course.)

Students will learn and practice basic hand techniques used in chair massage and a general pattern that can also be modified for special conditions.  Special conditions that require caution and modifications will be discussed and hands-on techniques practiced.  Students will also learn how to incorporate chair massage into their own practice. 

This course is 25 in-class hours and 25 hours of required events outside of class time.   At least 5 hours of the required events will be spent observing professionals at work and keeping a journal of questions, insights, and observations to be discussed with an instructor. Course completion is reached at the time that both in-class and required event hours are satisfactorily completed.  The course dates listed are for in-class hours only.  The student has a maximum of 3 years from the 1st day of class to complete the required event hours.

This course will focus on learning and practicing Swedish Massage which is the most common form of relaxing massage, and will also include other modalities such as basic sports massage and methods for deep tissue massage.  The course will cover a brief history of massage, hand techniques used, proper body mechanics for the massage therapist, and general client conditions requiring cautions and modifications to be aware of.   Students will also learn and practice “Shaolin Nei Gong Tendon Changing & Strengthening Exercises” to prevent injury within themselves by strengthening their hand and arm tendons, and to cultivate qi/energy to emit from their hands.

This course is 200 in-class hours and 50 hours of required student massage clinic outside of class time.   At least 5 hours of the required student massage clinic will be spent observing professionals at work and keeping a journal of questions, insights, and observations to be discussed with an instructor. Course completion is reached at the time that both in-class and required student clinic hours are satisfactorily completed.  The course dates listed are for in-class hours only.  The student has a maximum of 3 years from the 1st day of class to complete the required student clinic hours.

*Program C PRE-REQUISITE:  Completion of or current enrollment in TABLE MASSAGE

This course will build on table massage by introducing the foundation bodywork style of Oriental Healing Massage.  (Note that Oriental Healing Massage also includes knowledge and practice of Tui-Na Chinese Massage and Thai Massage which are advanced courses beyond the scope of this class.) The focus is learning the 12 primary meridians, common acupressure points with their appropriate usage, basics of yin and yang, the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) and identifying their characteristics within clients, and emotions and disease.

This course is 184 in-class hours and 34 hours of required student massage clinic outside of class time.   At least 5 hours of the required student massage clinic will be spent observing professionals at work and keeping a journal of questions, insights, and observations to be discussed with an instructor. Course completion is reached at the time that both in-class and required student clinic hours are satisfactorily completed.  The course dates listed are for in-class hours only.  The student has a maximum of 3 years from the 1st day of class to complete the required student clinic hours.

*Program C PRE-REQUISITE:  Completion of or current enrollment in TABLE MASSAGE

This course will cover the Western etiology and medical terminology, Oriental Medicine correspondences, and treatment by massage therapy for common diseases, chronic symptoms, and other cases that require special consideration by the massage therapist.  It is of extreme importance that the therapist knows not only how to assist in the healing process, but also to prevent harm to the client.  Topics include sciatica, low back pain, high blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer, pregnancy, elderly clients and more.  Students will mock-practice modified techniques on each other.  Emphasis is placed on knowing where to go to research the specifics of each condition and understanding the thought process behind treatment modification rather than on memorizing specific treatment protocols.

Required Event and Student Clinic Hours

These exceptional programs are among the most meaningful experiences students going through our Massage courses have had.  These programs are designed to give students actual and invaluable hands-on experience and provide professional feedback and mentoring opportunities that assist them later as professionals.  At least one instructor or assistant instructor is present to supervise all events and the student massage clinic. 

Students that sign up for an event or student massage clinic and do not show up for scheduled hours will fall under the standards of our published Attendance Policy and Make-Up Hours.

Chair Massage Events (25 hours required)

The Oriental Healing Arts School of Massage Therapy will rent a booth at several local events, such as Downtown Saturday and Sunday Markets, The Bear Paw Festival, 4^th of July Celebration, and others.  These events will give students an opportunity to practice chair massage on the general public.  In addition, we try to make available several field trips to local offices and other professional business settings.  Students will be advised of sign-up procedures and all other details during the Chair Massage class.

Student Massage Clinic (84 total hours required)

Students may sign up according to their own schedule.  Appointments are made at least 24 hours in advance through The Oriental Healing Arts Center and assigned to students on a rotating basis.  An instructor or assistant instructor is always present to supervise and interact with the clients. 

Here students get first hand experience with real clients from the initial client intake interview to the treatment protocol, and through follow up SOAP notes.  In addition, the instructor will provide insight and direction for each session.  Students may use laundry and other supplies provided by the school.  This is some of the most valuable experience that a student will gain to apply directly towards the actual job field of Massage Therapy.