MTI Health Occupations Programs - Massage Therapy Program Content

PROGRAM CONTENT

This 750 hour program covers various types of therapeutic massage, such as Swedish, neuromuscular, and reflexology including:

Health Science Core
Anatomy and Physiology
Basic Massage Therapy and Clinical Practicum
Statutes/Rules and History of Massage
Theory and Practice of Hydrotherapy
Allied Modalities
Legal Aspects of Massage Practice
Professional Ethics
Entrepreneurial Skills

The daytime program takes 7 months to complete. The evening program takes 14 months to complete. The class meets Monday through Thursday for 6 hours a day. The evening course takes 15 months to complete and meets 3 evenings a week. Some Saturdays are required for days and evenings for clinical.

Students are prepared to take the Florida State Board and National Certification Examinations so they may become Licensed Massage Therapists.

The program is approved by the Board of Massage Therapy, Florida Department of Health, and adheres to the curriculum standards set by the Board.

MTI is accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Massage Therapy program is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work, #331107-00.

Florida board approved school.

We accept students from other states. Applicants must have TABE scores of 10.0 in reading and language and 9.0 in math, a high school diploma or GED, and a completed application. The application process also includes a physical exam, proof of a massage by a Licensed Massage Therapist, and an interview.

Drug testing is required for all health occupations programs at registration and random throughout the school year.

This program offers state of the art training equipment used by massage therapists.

The program covers different types of massage techniques with the focus on Basic Swedish Massage.

About 20 percent of other massage techniques taught in this course includes:

Principles of sport massage
Neuromuscular massage
Hot Stone massage
Hydrotherapy and others

All of our students have training in:

General health education
CPR
Occupational safety
First Aid
Job Marketing
Business Practices and more

The program provides the quality training for students, prepares them for National exam and for successful career start in the area.

Special focus is given to professional safety training. Every massage therapist should understand so called "body mechanics" to not exhaust or injure themselves.

Students are encouraged to learn breathing techniques, exercise and use yoga to keep themselves in good physical shape.

Our students have the opportunity to gain real world experience offering massage sessions to the public on Saturdays.

Our students are actively involved in volunteer work for community. They have collected $250.00 for the hurricane victims, while also participating in the health Marathons this year.

Health Science Core ( HSC 0003) 90 Hours
This course is designed to give students the basic knowledge and skills needed as the foundation for all health occupation programs. This course includes both in-class and online learning. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice through visual, auditory and hands-on activities. Prerequisite for admittance into the Massage Therapy Program.

Anatomy & Physiology ( MSS 0206) 150 Hours
Get ready for a fascinating journey through the incredible human body. In this class we will explore the body's structure, how it works, and gain insight into how our touch affects the body as well as the emotions of clients. Our study will range from the Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, and Endocrine systems to the Circulatory, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive systems. We will also explore how each of these systems are interrelated.

Kinesiology ( MSS 0205) 60 Hours
In Kinesiology we will investigate the cell and tissue structures as well as the Skeletal and Muscular systems. We will become very knowledgeable of the origin, insertion and actions of more than seventy major muscles.

Pathologies of the Human Body ( MSS 0205) 45 Hours
In this class we will delve into the numerous pathologies of each body system. Evaluating contraindications, local contraindications, and the actions we, as massage therapists, must take when presented with these pathologies.

Basic Massage Theory and History ( MSS 0205 and MSS 0206) 145 Hours
In this course we will investigate a number of historical luminaries and discuss how each contributed to making massage therapy the fascinating career it is today. Attention will be directed to the benefits as well as physiological and emotional effects of massage therapy. Professionalism is also covered with an emphasis on hygiene, proper draping, bolstering techniques, body mechanics, and the importance of communication with client.

Swedish Massage Practicum ( MSS 0205) 65 Hours
In Swedish Massage Practicum we will learn the various soft tissue manipulations that have made massage so popular and loved. Emphasis will be placed on proper application of massage strokes, body mechanics, draping, bolstering techniques, development of the student's sense of therapeutic touch, and creation of their own signature massage. This provides a foundation from which the student builds skills through the incorporation of other modalities presented throughout our massage therapy program.

Hydrotherapy ( MSS 0205) 15 Hours
Hydrotherapy is the use of water in its three forms for therapeutic purposes. In this class we will explore specific applications of water to recreate the thermal, mechanical, and chemical reflex effects used for rehabilitation. We will investigate the use of moist vs. dry heat, ice, and contrast therapy. We will also introduce various spa therapies such as salt scrubs, paraffin applications, and stone therapies.

Allied Modalities ( MSS 0205 and MSS 0206) 91 Hours
Through the study of Allied Modalities the student will be introduced to various forms of bodywork techniques that are available and can be integrated into their work. The methods introduced here are at an introductory level and will give the student enough experience to determine if they want to pursue additional study after graduation. Studies include:

- Aromatherapy - Active Isolated Stretching - Ayurveda
- Chair Massage - Craniosacral Therapy - Reiki
- Myofascial Release - Lymph Drainage Technique - Postural Analysis
- Pregnancy Massage - Reflexology - Strain- Counterstrain
- Sports Massage - Neuromuscular - Energetic Therapies

Florida Statutes / Rules ( MSS 0206) 14 Hours
This course introduces the history and development of the massage therapy profession. The statues and rules of the Florida Massage Practice Act (Chapter 480) and the Florida Board of Massage Therapy (Chapter 64b7) are covered. This will give the student a clear understanding of laws that govern the practice of massage, the operation of a massage establishment, and why the statutes and rules have been established. We will discuss the requirements necessary for licensure and license renewal. Also we will explore ethical dilemmas, define boundaries, scope of practice, transference, countertransference, and confidentiality.

Basic Business Practices ( MSS 0206) 15 Hours
Opening one's own business is the ambition of many massage therapists, and in this class we will investigate what is necessary achieving this goal. Topics covered will be business startup, municipal regulations, insurance requirements, billing, taxes, bookkeeping, marketing and self promotion.

Swedish Massage Student Clinic ( MSS 0205 and MSS 0206) 60 Hours
This clinic is faculty-supervised. The student applies their newly learned skills by providing bodywork to the general public. As the student's knowledge evolves they incorporate additional techniques to their work. Through the clinic, the student is given the opportunity to hone necessary skills, such as; client assessment, therapy goals, and charting. This experience elevates the student to a new level. Educating hands become healing hands.

Job Outlook:
Florida Department of Education Curriculum and Frameworks

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Program Mission Statement: The mission of Manatee Technical Institutes Massage Therapy program is to prepare students with the appropriate knowledge base, hands on skills and confidence to be exceptional massage therapy practitioners.