A massage therapist is a licensed practitioner, trained in the manipulation of soft tissues of the body. Techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and vibration are used during a massage session to promote relaxation, reduce pain, increase circulation, and aid in the restoration and maintenance of health. Licensed massage therapists are employed as part of health care teams in a variety of settings including hospitals, sports medicine clinics, and rehabilitation facilities. They also work in spas, holistic health centers, corporate wellness centers, and in group and private practices.

Students in the Therapeutic Massage Certificate program will receive a solid foundation on which to build a career as a professional massage therapist. Course work includes anatomy and physiology with a focus on the musculoskeletal system, business ethics, pathological conditions of the body, mastery of Swedish massage techniques, and introduction to neuromuscular techniques, and an overview of related bodywork systems, including Asian and energy modalities. Clinical practice in the campus massage therapy clinic provides opportunity for mastery of skills while working with the public in a simulated massage business environment.

The goals of the Therapeutic Massage program are to prepare students for licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to graduate massage therapists who are competent health care providers. In addition, graduates are strongly encouraged to take the National Certification Exam for Massage given by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). Please go to www.ncbtmb.org for more information.

Upon completion, the Certificate in Therapeutic Massage is awarded.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission to Health Profession programs are considered on an individual basis. Students seeking admission to the Therapeutic Massage program will be evaluated by GPA and total number of college-level credits completed at MassBay. Priority for admission is given to current MassBay students. Applicants must also meet all other required course prerequisites for the program. Minimum eligibility for admissions to this program includes:

• MassBay Placement into Freshman English I (EN 101) or completion of WR 100 with a grade of C or better.
• MassBay Placement into Intermediate Algebra (MA 098) or completion of MA 095 with a grade of C or better.
• Successful completion of Reading Assessment Test
  Refer to the Competitive Programs Admissions requirements.

As required by the state law and in accordance with Collge policy, students must pass CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Registry Information) checks. CORI and SORI results are confidential.

Proof of CPR certification is required on or before the first day of the first semester and must be submitted to the Division of Health Sciences office. The Healthcare Provider Card (from the American Heart Association) and the Professional Rescuer Card (from American Red Cross or National Safety Council) are the only types of CPR certification that meet this requirement.

Massage License Requirements
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts massage license requirements include a high school diploma or its equivalent, applicant age of 18 or older, two letters of professional reference, and successful completion of a course of study consisting of at least 500 classroom hours or an equivalent number of credit hours of supervised instruction at a licensed massage school. Please note that massage licensing requirements may vary from state to state within the U.S.  Licensure in the state of Massachusetts does not automatically guarantee reciprocity in another state.

For more information on massage lincensure in Massachusetts, please go to www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/mt.

For complete information  on licensure requirements in other states, please go to www.amtamassage.org/about/lawstate.html.

The Therapeutic Massage program does not provide job placement.

 Program Footnotes:

A grade of C or better is required for all Allied Health and science courses.

* A combination of BI 115 and BI 116 fulfills this requirement and is recommended for those interested in an A.S. in a health program.

Course Descriptions

TH 101 Foundations of Massage
This is an introductory course in the theory and principles of massage therapy. The course includes the history and development of massage and holistic approaches as a complement to conventional health care. Topics include the medical language and body systems relevant to the practice of therapeutic massage, safety procedures, hygiene, therapeutic communication and interviewing skills, treatment documentation systems (SOAP notes), indications, contraindications, and physiological effects of therapeutic massage.
Lecture: 3 hour per week. 3 credits

TH 102 Advanced Therapeutic Massage
This course builds on the basic concepts covered in TH 101 and presents the theory, rationale, and current research findings on the physiological effects of massage and other complimentary and alternative therapies.  Practitioner self-care, the effects of stress, the concepts of maximum wellness, methods of maintaining therapeutic presence, and the importance of finding one’s niche in massage are emphasized.    An overview of complementary and alternative bodywork methods such as reflexology, acupressure, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, cranio-sacral technique, Reiki method, polarity and energy therapies is given. 
Pre-requisites: BI 113, TH 101
Lecture: 3 hours per week. 3 credits

TH 110 Applied Clinical Anatomy for Therapeutic Massage
An in-depth study of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems, including muscle and fascial layers, sensory receptors, and related soft tissues is provided for fundamental understanding of the safe application of therapeutic massage.  Students will be expected to develop and demonstrate competency in tissue assessment techniques, safety, hygiene, draping, palpation and body mechanics.  Students will practice and demonstrate basic Swedish and chair massage strokes such as effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration. 
Pre/co-requisite:  BI 113, TH101
Lecture: 3 hours per week. Lab: 4 hours per week. 5 credits

TH 111 Advanced Therapeutic Massage Applications
This course presents advanced therapeutic massage techniques affecting deep soft tissue structures of the myofascial and neuromuscular systems including muscle energy techniques, facilitated stretching, and basic sports massage techniques.    Students are evaluated on application of techniques, integration of new material, intake/interviewing skills, client interaction and record keeping.
Prerequisites: BI 113, TH 101, TH 110, TH 120
Lecture: 3 hours per week. Lab: 4 hours per week. 5 credits

TH 120 Pathological Conditions in Massage Therapy
This course examines pathologies commonly found in clients seeking massage therapy and provides guidelines on indications and contraindications for massage.  Conditions of each system of the body are explored with a focus on musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.  Muscle imbalances, traumatic pain, overuse syndromes, muscle guarding and postural dysfunctions are explored, and adaptive positioning is addressed for special populations.
Pre/co-requisite:  BI 113, TH 101
Lecture: 3 hours per week. 3 credits

TH 150 Therapeutic Massage Practicum
Students are required to complete 150 hours of practical massage experience in supervised clinical settings both on and off campus.
Prerequisites: BI 113, TH 101, TH 120, TH 110
Clinical: 150 hours. 3 credits

TH 200 Professional Ethics for the Massage Therapist
This course presents professional behaviors and ethics related to massage therapy and business practices. Legal and ethical considerations, laws and regulations are discussed.   Concepts related to self-employment, private practice plans, and employment opportunities are included.
Prerequisites: BI 113, TH 101.
Lecture: 3 hours per week. 3 credits

BI113 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology
This course is an introduction to the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body.  Material will be covered at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels.  The interrelationships among the systems and their maintenance of homeostasis will be studied.  A laboratory portion will reinforce lecture material through the use of anatomical models and computerized learning tools.