Massage Therapy Certification Program

750 hours

“It’s a joy to look forward to work everyday.” - Ginny Cannon, LMT, Zen Shiatsu Practitioner & Providence graduate

This comprehensive course prepares students for a career as a massage therapist. Through classroom, practical, and internship experience, students receive a thorough education in massage theory and application. Our approach to massage emphasizes the powerful combination of skillfully applied technique, compassionate touch and peaceful presence. Areas of study include massage technique, anatomy and physiology, business, personal development, prenatal massage, sports massage, and supervised clinical internship. Our curriculum exceeds the educational standards set
by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

We offer our 750 hour massage program in two different formats:

• Six month full-time program
• One year evening & weekend program

Additional Information

“This is the most supportive environment that I have ever experienced.” - Allison Rothman, Massage & Shiatsu graduate

Massage therapy is a growing field that offers a wide variety of work environment opportunities, including private practice, resorts, cruise ships, and medical settings. Job opportunities are rapidly expanding as more and more people recognize the value of therapeutic bodywork for preventative health care, rehabilitation and emotional/mental well being. At the Providence Institute our graduates are thoroughly prepared for success in this diverse and rewarding profession.

Special Features
Certification: Included in tuition, all Providence massage graduates are Nationally Certified with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and are eligible for Arizona state licensing.

Yoga Classes:The practice of yoga and meditation are valuable self-care tools and serve to develop a deeper understanding of the body. To compliment the movement classes in the curriculum, we encourage students to attend unlimited free classes from our yoga schedule.

Courses (750 hours)

• Swedish Massage Technique
• Advanced Massage Techniques
  (may include Craniosacral, Prenatal and Sports Massage, Reflexology)
• Hydrotherapy
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Lab
• Introduction to Shiatsu
• Professional Practice Development
• Professional Massage Skills
• Massage Internship
• Movement Integration
• Medical Massage

Course Descriptions

Swedish Massage Technique
Students begin by learning the basic Swedish massage techniques of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction and vibration as well as passive stretching techniques, draping techniques and the use of oils and lotions. Students develop the ability to derive information from the tissues of the body (palpation), as well as integrate anatomical information and to apply appropriate pressure and movement. There is an added emphasis on the use of proper body mechanics, enhancing the awareness of qi, or vital energy, and cultivating peaceful presence. From this foundation students learn to use specific techniques to access the layers of muscle from superficial to deep. Techniques include pin and stretch, myofascial release, deep specific stripping, cross-fiber friction, and trigger point work. Students learn to use palpation, client postural alignment, and range of motion to assess limitation and/or injury and to determine muscle-specific treatment plans. Active isolated stretching is included as well to support client with injury prevention and recovery.

Applied Techniques
Through lecture, hands-on practice and clinic internships, students are introduced to applying massage techniques for specific populations which may include prenatal massage, sports massage and chair massage. Other modalities are also introduced through lecture and hands-on practice and may include Craniosacral, Reflexology, Thai Massage and forms of energy work.

Hydrotherapy
Students are introduced to the use of heat and cold through water as a therapeutic adjunct to bodywork. Topics may include: cryotherapy, hot and cold compresses, hot foot baths, paraffin, basic body wraps and Watsu. Indications and contraindications for treatments are studied, as well as precise temperatures, procedures and precautions. The class is largely hands-on, preparing students to perform common hydrotherapy and spa treatments. These techniques prepare students for work in a massage clinic, spa or dayspa, as well as treatments modified for home and private practice use.

Anatomy
The anatomy curriculum is specifically designed for people who are entering the field of bodywork. Through active and experiential study, students learn the bones and major muscles of the body as well as anatomical terminology. The material covered in anatomy is applied throughout the program, including the integration of muscle palpation and treatment in technique class.

Physiology
Through lecture and in-class activities, students begin the exploration of the human body. Students learn the organs and functions of each of the 11 systems (nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, etc.) resulting in a comprehensive understanding of how the body functions in health and disease. Organs and systems studied throughout the physiology series are approached from a holistic perspective that embraces and integrates Eastern and Western thought.

Introduction to Shiatsu
The principles of Zen Shiatsu are presented in this introductory course. Through developing the foundational concepts of moving from center and using gravity effectively, massage techniques are enhanced and less effort is needed to apply deep pressure. An expanded awareness of the energetics of the body is gained by working with the Chinese concept of the meridian system. Intuitive skills and refined touch enhance the scope and depth of massage practice.

Lab
Students are given supervised time to practice and improve the massage skills learned in Massage Technique class. Extra focus is placed on proper body mechanics, self-care, session planning, time management, and the integration of specific work.

Professional Practice Development
This class explores the business, legal, financial and ethical aspects of a career in professional bodywork for the private practitioner, small-business owner, independent contractor, or employee. Students participate in goal-setting exercises for their practice; work on enhancing their interview skills, and create a plan for business/marketing. Students also explore practices such as setting up and building a massage business, taxes and bookkeeping, compliance with local and state laws, marketing, ethics, and developing a relationship with the community.

Professional Massage Skills
Students develop confidence and skill at interviewing clients and keeping professional client records. This is a practical class where students practice client interactions and problem solving through the use of massage case studies. Critical thinking skills regarding contraindicated conditions and pathologies, along with medications, are practiced. Professional boundaries and ethics are studied.

Massage Internship
Massage Internship brings the student into contact with the public to provide treatments in a clinic setting. The majority of clinic time is spent giving treatments, with opportunities for researching pathologies, reviewing case studies, and receiving feedback from the instructor and clients. The focus is on the sensitive application of massage techniques that are appropriate for each client, while applying understanding of anatomy and physiology, awareness of qi, sensitivity of touch, and peaceful presence.

Medical Massage
This course is designed to provide an overview of massage therapy treatment in a hospital environment. Initial weeks of instruction focus on medical massage definitions and protocol (inpatient vs. outpatient settings), orientation to the hospital environment, staffing structure and patient population served. Specific and ongoing teaching with regard to patient diagnoses, clinical manifestations and massage indications, contraindications and precautions for common conditions will be primary focus. Students will also receive instructions related to medical and adaptive equipment, adaptive techniques, positioning and functional mobility for providing safe and effective massage in this environment. Subsequent weeks will be devoted to supervised clinical practice, in which students will work independently or with a partner to provide two 45-minute treatments for individuals in an inpatient hospital setting.

Movement Integration and Communication
This class focuses on the expansion of kinesthetic awareness through the personal exploration of movement and breath. By developing the strength of body, mind, and emotion the student?s body opens into a natural alignment that is comfortable, effective and foundational for being present for the client during a bodywork session. Movement integration is fundamental to the growth and success of a massage therapist, and to the longevity of a career in bodywork.

Movement
We strongly recommend that students create time and space throughout their course of study for yoga, movement, and meditation, as these will serve to deepen their studies, develop a clearer understanding of the body, and encourage students to prioritize self-care. To that end, we offer unlimited free classes from our yoga schedule to our students.