Start a Rewarding Career and Become A Massage Therapist Through our Massage Therapy Course Online

`massage than meets the eye. Through our Massage Therapy Course Online, you will learn what massage means and how it can improve the lives of others!

Before learning massage techniques, our Massage Therapy Course Online explores the basics of human anatomy and physiology, providing you with important background knowledge that is essential to all massage therapists. Once you have a solid understanding of how the body works, you are now ready to start learning how to apply massage techniques! With your new skills you can now learn how to recognize and treat specific conditions. This comprehensive Massage Therapy Course Online takes you through techniques specific to each individual, because everyone is different!

Massage has been used for centuries to heal, invigorate and relax the mind and body; reaching all the major organs as well as helping the muscles, bones and soft tissue to stay healthy. Our extensive Massage Therapy Course Online is designed to give an in-depth understanding of what it means to be a massage therapist.

Students who complete the Massage Therapy Course Online will learn that massage is so much more than providing relief to muscle tension. The human body is an incredibly complex and intricate network of systems. Massage not only relieves muscle tension, but improves blood & lymphatic flow, relieves stress on tendons and bones, and provides a follow-on effect in many other body systems.

Massage Therapy Online Course provides you with the skill set to be confident in ensuring customers have a holistic experience; including creating the right atmosphere for massage and how to conduct a session to give the client the ultimate experience. Our course bundles offer different massage techniques including Hot Stone Massage, Swedish Massage & Sports Massage.

By the end of the Massage Therapy Online Course, students will be confident in not only the use of massage techniques, but creating the best experience to keep customers coming back (and telling their friends too). The Massage Therapy Online Course finishes off with business strategy and basic knowledge about how to set-up and run a business. For those who are interested in running their own business, we highly recommend our “10 Steps to Start a New Business” course.

Our online massage therapy courses complement this course and add to it with some useful pointers and considerations for those looking to set up their own business.

What you will learn with our Online Massage Therapy Course

• What is Massage?
• Soft Tissues
• The Circulatory System
• The Lymphatic System
• The Nervous System
• The Musculoskeletal System
• Cautions & Contraindications
• Massage and Medicine
• Therapeutic Procedure
• Whole Body Techniques
• Massage on the Back, Neck & Shoulders
• Massage on the Arms & Legs
• Abdominal Massage
• Sports Massage
• Hydrotherapy
• The Spa Setting
• The Business Model

Who would benefit from this Massage Therapy Course?

This is a comprehensive course that will take you from complete beginner to having all the knowledge you need to set up and practice as a Massage Therapist, along with giving a solid foundation for advanced study and further study into specific treatment areas. Alternatively, you could use the information contained within the course to help friends and family, or learn with a partner, so you can both reap the benefits of massage.

Online Massage Therapy Course – Requirements

The Massage Therapy Course is delivered 100 percent online.

To successfully complete this course, a student must:

• Have access to the internet and the necessary technical skills to navigate the online learning resources
• Have access to any mobile device with internet connectivity (laptop, desktop, tablet)
• Be a self-directed learner
• Possess sound language and literacy skills

Quick Course Facts

1. Course content is structured for easy comprehension
2. Approximately 8 hours of study is needed to complete the course
3. Registered students gain unrestricted access to the Massage Therapy Course
4. All course material is available online 24/7 and can be accessed using any device
5. Study online from anywhere in your own time at your own pace

Online Massage Therapist Training – Outline

Module 1: What’s Massage?

Part 1: Introduction

The healing touch of massage is one of the best gifts you can give your body. It has been used for thousands of years as one of the principle therapies for both mind and body healing. Massage is not only an aid for relaxing away stress and tension and stimulating healing, it also boosts circulation and helps tired bodies to rejuvenate themselves, ready for the rigors of everyday life.

Understanding Massage

Massage has been used for centuries to heal, invigorate and relax the mind and body, reaching all the major organs as well as helping the muscles, bones and soft tissue to stay healthy. The massage principle is simple: touch means stimulation.

Health Maintenance and Health Promotion

• Stress management
• Post-operative care
• Emotional and/or psychological disorders

Part 2: Professional Ethics and a Clear Code of Conduct

Standards of a Professional Therapist

• Maintain a smart, and professional appearance.
• Take special care to use correct hygiene and safety precautions at all times.
• Inform the client of the effects and nature of the treatment.
• Perform an initial consultation and prepare a treatment plan.
• Identify and explain correctly any contra-indications.

Qualities of a Good Therapist

• Committed to learning about the subject.
• Genuinely interested in helping others.
• Enjoys dealing with and caring for people of all ages.

Conduct and Behavior

• You must act in a professional manner at all times.
• You must be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Great care must be taken at all times to maintain an appropriate and professional relationship with clients.

Part 3: Scope of Practice

Therapists must recognize and work within their limits of knowledge, skills and competence. Here are some guidelines to follow:

• You must only carry out treatments and give advice on areas that you have been trained to do and are qualified in.
• You must only use products and equipment that you are trained to use.

Health & Safety

• You must manage your health and safety in the working environment and follow all of the necessary health and safety legislation.
• You have the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of you, your client and work colleagues at all times.

Module 2: Soft Tissues

Part 1: Helping Your Body

At the end of this module, you will:

• Understand the constituent parts of soft tissue within the body
• Be familiar with the different layers of skin
• Be aware of the benefits of massage on your skin

What is Soft Tissue Made of?

The tissues of the body all consist of large numbers of cells, but they vary greatly in form and function. There are four main types of tissue: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue.

• Epithelial Tissue
• Connective Tissue
• Muscle Tissue
• Nervous Tissue

Part 2: Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body and has remarkable properties. It provides effective protection for our delicate insides, yet through its sensory receptors, we are aware of even the lightest touch.

Layers of the Skin

The skin has two main layers. The outer one, the epidermis, is made up of layers of skin cells (epithelial tissue) which, being close to the surface, are involved with protection, absorption and secretion.

Massage and Skin

Massage has many beneficial effects on the condition of the skin. They are as follows:

• The circulation of blood and lymph is stimulated, thereby delivering fresh supplies of nutrients and oxygen to the living cells.
• Massage also aids the shedding of skin due to the hands rubbing of the dead skin. Fresh new cells are exposed which improves the skin appearance.

Module 3: The Circulatory System

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Name and describe the locations of the major parts of the heart and discuss the functions of each part
• Be familiar with the notion of blood circulation within the human body
• Discuss how massage can help with the body system

The Heart

As a dynamic pump, the heart is an amazingly sophisticated piece of equipment.

Arteries, Veins and Capillaries

Arteries carry blood from the heart to every part of the body through a complicated network. Because they are carrying blood under pressure, they have thick, strong walls that can expand to absorb the surge of blood and then contract until the next heartbeat.

Circulation

With each heartbeat, oxygenated blood is pumped to every part of the body and deoxygenated blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs to be re-oxygenated.

Massage and Blood Circulation

The various massage manipulations can help to improve the flow of deoxygenated blood back to the heart. It also speeds up the flow of freshly oxygenated blood to the superficial and deeper tissues of the neck, shoulders and head.

Module 4: The Lymphatic System

At the end of this module, you will:

Understand the general function of the lymphatic system

• Be familiar with the functions of a lymph node
• Be able to discuss the functions of the thymus and the spleen
• Be aware of how massage can help with this body system

The Lymphatic System works in conjunction with the blood’s circulatory system but has its own network of vessels.

• Lymph Flow
• The Spleen
• Fluid Retention and Fat Absorption
• The Lymphatic as a Defense System
• Thymus Gland

Module 5: The Nervous System

Part 1: The Brain and the Spinal Cord

At the end of this module, you will:

Be familiar with the major parts of the brain and be able to describe the function of each part Be able to distinguish between the parasympathetic and sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. The nervous system consists of the central nervous system, comprising the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, the sensory and motor nerves throughout the body that relay information to and from the central system.

Part 2: The Peripheral and Autonomic Nervous Systems

The Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nerves convey information to and from the brain and spinal cord. Sensory nerves receive information from the skin and internal organs, while motor nerves initiate the action of various parts of our body.

The Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system works to maintain a steady state within the internal environment of the body by means of sensory fibers running through cranial and spinal nerves.

• The Benefits of Massage for Body and Mind
• Time Out and General Well-Being

Module 6: The Musculoskeletal System

Part 1: The Vertebral System

At the end of this module, you will:

• Be aware of the functions of the skeletal system
• Understand the functions of muscles and how the body works
• Be familiar with the benefits of massage to the musculoskeletal system

The Musculoskeletal System

Bones have five main functions. They provide support, protect the internal organs, give movement by using specialized muscles, produce blood cells and store and release minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.

The Vertebral System

The spine is, literally and metaphorically, the backbone of the skeleton: it is the core of the whole framework, and all other bones relate directly or indirectly to it.

Movement of the Spine

Each vertebra is covered with a hyaline cartilage and the space between each bone is filled with a thick ring of fibro-cartilage with a center of soft, almost gelatinous tissue.

Part 2: The Muscular System

There are three types of muscle in the body: skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. Muscle tissue is composed of cells specialized contract.

How the Body Moves

Most movement is the result of carefully controlled coordination of groups of muscles working together.

Muscle Fibers

Muscles are made up of a collection of many long cells or fibers, which are enclosed in a tough sheet of connective tissue known as a muscle sheath.

Muscular Aches and Pains

Some muscle fiber are always partially contracted. This partial contraction, known as muscle tone is essentially for posture.

Massage and the Muscles

Massage works on the muscles throughout the body. When these are tense, the flow of blood and lymph through the tissues is restricted, leading to reduced supplies of oxygen and nutrients and a build-up of stagnant waste.

Module 7: Cautions and Contraindications

Part 1: Contraindications of Massage

Qualified massage therapists use a range of techniques to treat different problems. Massage is generally considered an extremely safe form of therapy, but even so, there are a few situations in which it might do more harm than good.

• Inflammation
• Bones and Joint Injuries
• Open Wounds
• Fever
• Thrombosis

Part 2: Other Concerns and Areas to Avoid

In addition, several other conditions can have a bearing on the massage you choose to give. Look out for:

• Diabetes
• High or Low Blood Pressure
• Osteoporosis
• Pregnancy
• Children and the Elderly

Areas to Avoid

There are several places on the body where massage should not be performed under any circumstances.

• Eyes
• Sides of the Neck
• Back of the Knees

Module 8: Massage and Medicine

Part 1: Massage and Stress-Related Problems

It is when we are tense all the time that troubles in our health begin. We hold tension in our neck and shoulders, hence the phrase ‘He’s a real pain in the neck’. How stress manifests itself through the body varies from person to person, but the following are just a few of the common symptoms:

• Migraine
• Indigestion
• Angina
• Colitis

Tension, Anxiety and Fright

It’s worth looking at what actually happens when we are tense, anxious or frightened and comparing the body processes with those experienced by our cave-dwelling ancestors.

Massage and Stress

Massage works simultaneously on a physical and psychological level, counteracting physical and mental tension or lethargy and encourages well-being.

Part 2: The Benefits of Massage

Improves Posture

Poor posture is the number one culprit for back and neck problems, and there is a lot of tension in both of these areas. When the body is inactive, circulation to the limbs is reduced which is turn decreases the oxygen delivery and nutrients to the muscles.

Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is a silent killer, has very little symptoms and is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease.

Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is a silent killer, has very little symptoms and is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease.

Promotes Deeper and Easier Breathing

Massage plays an important role in training the client on how to relax and improve their breathing.

How Massage Helps

Massage can alleviate the muscle spasms that occur when the ribs or thoracic joints lose mobility, thus aids in the joints performing better. By massaging the glut muscles, this can reduce tension in the sacroiliac joint and improve mobility.

Module 9: Therapeutic Procedure

Part 1: Getting Ready for Massage

At the end of this module, you will:

• Be familiar with the therapeutic procedure during a massage session
• Be aware of the use of aromatherapy and essential oils in massage therapy
• Understand the common indicators of a client’s health
• Understand the importance of aftercare for the client

Massage Mediums

In order to massage correctly, you need to make sure that your hands can glide over the skin, exerting just the right amount of pressure. To do this, you will need to use a massage medium to reduce frictional drag and to lubricate the surface of the skin.

• Lotions
• Creams
• Talcum Powder
• Oils

Part 2: Aromatherapy Oils

Essential oils are potent and can be harmful if misused, so always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Obtain oils from a reputable source and dilute in the right proportions. With the exception of lavender and tee tree, undiluted essential oils should not be applied directly onto the skin, and oils should never be eaten, drunk or applied to lips and eyes.

• Lavender
• Black Pepper
• Chamomile
• Marjoram
• Marjoram

Part 3: Toweling and Creating the Perfect Environment

The Importance of Toweling

Several purposes are served by toweling. First, it provides barriers – the person being massaged knows the physical limitations of your massage and that it will not go beyond the barrier of the towel – this is essential to ensure that they can fully relax.

Working Through Clothing

If you want to work through clothing, you can use compression and stretch techniques or small circular massage motions, but you will have to avoid sliding or depth work because clothes will cause friction, restrict movement and prevent good contact with muscle.

Part 4: Preparing for Massage

Massage is likely to bring many benefits. However, before you begin your massage, it is essential to set time aside to discuss any relevant health issues or concerns.

• Take a Client’s Case History
• Check Hands and Feet
• Color
• Temperature
• Skin Condition

Module 10: Preparation for Whole Body Massage

Part 1: Preparation for Whole Body Massage

Getting the Position Right

Professional masseurs have adjustable, transportable couches that help keep the body technique, the procedures explained here assume correct positioning and are described as if a massage bed was being used.

The Floor

The floor is usually the best location for a home massage because it is hard and so provides a firm surface for the masseur to push against (a few soft towels or blankets can make it more comfortable).

The Bed

Beds are not ideal for massage because they are soft, which means the bed rather than the body will move. Positioning is the same as for the floor, but take extra care to ensure the neck is straight.

Techniques

Massage isn’t about having strength in the arms, wrists, hands or thumbs; instead, it is about bodyweight. Much like practitioners of eastern balance arts, such as Tai Chi, masseurs use the weight of their bodies, moving through the hips backwards, forwards and side to side, to create movement.

Bodyweight Balance Practice

To get used to using your bodyweight and balance, hold your arms out in front of you, in a circle with your hands together, and sway your hips in order to move your hands without utilizing your arms.

Part 2: Techniques

Technique 1: Effleurage

Also known as stroking, effleurage is good for clearing blood, lymph and body fluids, warming up the muscle groups and boosting circulation.

Technique 2: Deep Effleurage

This technique is similar to effleurage except that you use the thumbs, which allows a deeper penetration of the body tissues.

Technique 3: Petrissage

Petrissage employs both hands working in opposite directions to free up problem areas, boost circulation and work deep into muscles.

Technique 4: Cam and Spindle

Cam and spindle is a deep muscle technique for releasing tension and working into the tissues.

Technique 5: Dermal Lifting

Dermal lifting helps to boost circulation into the skin by working the deep layers as well as the surface ones.

Technique 6: Compression

Compression is one of the simplest massage techniques and also one of the most effective.

Part 3: Additional Techniques

• Stroking
• Feathering
• Kneading
• Tapping

Module 11: Massage on the Back, Neck, and Shoulders

Anatomy of the Head, Neck and Shoulders

Of all the areas of the body, the head, neck and shoulders are the most prone to stress. Everyday stress and activity make muscles tighten and eyes, jaws and necks tense up. Massage helps ease away tension and stress, boosting circulation and flexibility and preventing stiffness, pain, injury and trauma.

Basic Anatomy

In order to understand how best to massage the back, neck and shoulders, the masseur needs to have a basic knowledge of anatomy.

Bones of the Back, Neck and Shoulders

The bones of the back, neck and shoulders are balanced on top of the pelvic girdle, a plate of bone at hip level that sits on top of the legs to provide balance and support to the upper body.

Muscles of the Back, Neck and Shoulders

The muscles of the back, neck and shoulders perform three tasks – stability to the trunk and upper body through the spine, movement of the head and neck on top of the spine and movement and rotation of the arms.

Blood and Nerve Supply

The major blood vessels serving the back, neck and shoulders run down the spine. The carotid artery runs up the side of the neck, taking oxygenated blood to the neck, head and brain, and the jugular vein returns the blood to the heart.

Part 2: Massage of the Neck, Chest and Skull

• One Handed Neck Effleurage
• Transverse Neck Effleurage
• Base of Skull
• Occiput Pressure Release
• Occiput Deep Effleurage

Part 3: Massage of the Spine and Shoulder

Spine

• Spinal Four-Fingered Effleurage
• Spinal Thumb Effleurage
• Transverse Thumb Effleurage Away from the Spine

Shoulder

• Circular Shoulder Effleurage
• Spine to Shoulder Blade Effleurage
• Neck to Shoulder Blade Effleurage

Part 4: Massage of the Middle Back and Lower Back

• Dermal Lifting
• Derma Rolling
• Effleurage
• Petrissage

Part 5: Massage of the Hips and Glutes

• Transverse Draw
• Cam and Spindle
• Relaxation Stroke

Module 12: Massage on the Arms and Legs

This module will show you how to give a total arm and leg massage to treat tired limbs, boost the flow of blood and lymph back to the heart and encourage the renewal and rejuvenation of cells.

Basic Anatomy

The limbs undergo different stresses and strains to the rest of the body because they are the most flexible. Thick arteries and veins run to and from the heart to our limbs.

• The Arm Bones
• Muscles
• Blood and Nerve Supply
• The Legs
• Lymphatic Drainage

Part 2: Massage of the Front of Shoulder, Forearm and Hand

Front of Shoulder

• Front of Shoulder Effleurage
• Top of Shoulder Petrissage
• Bicep Effleurage
• Bicep Petrissage

Forearm and Hand

• Inside of Forearm Effleurage
• Palm Stretching
• Finger Drawing
• Base of Thumb Petrissage

Part 3: Massage of the Leg and Foot

Thigh

• Rolling Compressions Working Down the Thigh
• Heel of Hand Thigh Compressions
• Thigh Effleurage
• Deep Effleurage of Thigh

Foot

• Draw of Front of Foot
• Toe Stretch
• Heel of Hand Working Down Hamstrings

Part 4: Massage of the Hamstrings and Calf

• Effleurage
• Cam and Spindle
• Rolling Compressions
• Vibrations

Module 13: Abdominal Massage

Part 1: The Digestive System and Abdomen

The Digestive System

Food is broken down into an easily digestible form in the stomach, then travels into the small intestine, where nutrients and energy are absorbed. The small intestine is composed of a tube that runs from the ribs to the lower abdomen in twisting rows.

Abdomen

The midpoint of your body holds the key to many of our vital life processes. It is often this area that responds to stressful situations in our lives and holding the trunk in tension can cause problems with digestion and other vital processes.

Part 2: Finding the Right Position

Positioning for abdominal massage is different to that for other types because it is important that the abdominal muscles are relaxed and not stretched.

• Clockwise Circular Stroking
• Alternate Hands Effleurage
• Deep Stroking Around the Bottom of Ribs
• Interactive Abdominal Compression

Module 14: Sports Massage

Part 1: Introduction

Sports massage is a body site-specific discipline rather than a full body massage. It was developed to aid the athlete to prepare their bodies for the challenge of the event, to help with recovery post exercise and to improve function whilst training.

• Pre-event massage
• Post event
• Restorative massage
• Rehabilitative massage

Contraindications for Sports Massage

• The following is a list of contraindications for sports massage, however, if you are unsure refer your client to a GP or physiotherapist to get additional confirmation.
• Open wounds
• Muscle raptures
• Tendon raptures
• Muscle and tendon partial tears
• Contusions
• Burns, chilblains and broken bones

Part 2: Massage of the Thigh, Lower Leg and Foot

The Thigh (Quadriceps)

• Effleurage to the Thigh
• Petrissage on the Thigh
• Stripping the Muscle
• Stripping the Iliotibial Band
• Trigger Points
• Finishing Off

Lower Leg

• Effleurage
• Stripping the Muscle
• Cross Friction Massage
• Finishing Off

Foot

• Light Stroking to the Top of the Foot
• Spreading the Metatarsals
• Petrissage the Sole of the Foot

Part 3: Massage of the Upper Back and the Lower Back

• Effleurage
• Petrissage
• Circular Frictions to the Upper Back
• Stripping Under the Shoulder Blade

Part 4: Massage of the Hamstring, Calf Muscle and Achilles Heel

• Effleurage
• Petrissage
• Stripping the Muscle
• Circular Frictions

Module 15: Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the use of water to heat, cool, stimulate, relax and detoxify the human body. It has been around for many thousands of years and has been used by different cultures including Native Americans, Indians, Romans, Greeks, Finnish and Japanese.

Contraindications of Hydrotherapy – Heat

• Any acute local inflammation e.g. a sprained ankle.
• Any area that is numb.
• Over implants, pacemakers, defibrillators or any other medical device.

Contraindications of Hydrotherapy – Cold

• Raynaud’s syndrome.
• Nerve injuries.

Setting Up a Hydrotherapy Session

You don’t need running water in your massage workspace, but it does help. Local heat treatments such as hot compresses, heat packs, hot water bottles, hot towels from a heated cupboard, paraffin dips and hand/foot baths are inexpensive.

Combination Treatment

This procedure is excellent to help breathing, relief and soreness in the chest muscles, deep tension in the chest caused by coughing and sneezing or back pain.

Module 16: The Spa Setting

A spa massage therapist and a clinical therapist can practice all types of massage modalities in both industries. The ultimate difference is the focus of the session. In a spa massage, the therapist is often focused on the satisfaction of the client, with the session often being pampering, intuitive and compassionate in nature.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is thought to have been created by JJivaka Komarabhaccha in India, more than 2500 years ago.

Thai Manipulations

• Compressing
• Squeezing
• Friction
• Gliding
• Rolling

Complications of Thai Massage

Many of the complications in Thai massage occur due to the lack of training and recklessness of the therapists.

Contraindications of Thai Massage

• Skin infections.
• Immediately after surgery.
• Prone to clot bloods and heart disease.

Module 17: The Business Model

Setting Up in Business

Becoming qualified as a therapist will have taken time and a lot of hard work, and perhaps considerable expense. The time has now come to put all you have learnt to work and set yourself up as a practicing therapist.

Researching the Basics

Before you embarked on the training, you will probably have looked into what was already being offered in your area and be reasonably confident that there are opportunities for setting up a massage practice.

Your Working Day

Make a decision on how many hours your lifestyle allows you to work and the times in the day that are convenient.

Equipment

What you choose depends on your planned mode of working, particularly on whether you aim to do home visits or will be working from a base.

• Record-Keeping
• Book-Keeping
• Insurance
• Promotion

All students who complete the course will be awarded with a certificate of completion

Recognition & Accreditation

Upon completion of your course assessment, you will receive 3 certificates. An accredited certificate from the awarding body relating to your course, a CPD certificate displaying the number of CPD points earned from the course and a certificate of completion.