Clinical Massage Therapy Program Courses

The Soma Institute’s Massage Therapy program is designed to prepare you for your future.

We've developed our comprehensive Clinical Massage Therapy curriculum to prepare you for the widest possible array of massage career options.

Anatomy I
This course provides an overview of gross human anatomy as it applies to clinical massage therapy. Materials to be covered include the interrelationships of the muscular and osseous systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (48 clock hours)

Anatomy II
This course provides an overview of the integumentary, nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, respiratory, and reproductive systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (44 clock hours)

Anatomy Lab
This course focuses on intensive palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments in order to locate and assess tissues of the human body. (60 clock hours)

Clinical Integration
This course introduces the major components of the assessment process as it pertains to clinical massage therapy. Material to be covered includes postural assessment, gait analysis, active and passive range of motion testing, and resisted and orthopedic testing. The documentation and evaluation of clinical findings and massage treatments are also discussed. (64 clock hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy I
This course introduces the principles of Swedish massage therapy. Professional standards and techniques of therapeutic communication, draping, client positioning, seated massage, health, hygiene, and body mechanics are demonstrated and practiced. The therapeutic uses and effects of massage are examined, together with the indications, precautions, and contraindications for various massage therapy techniques. (80 clock hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy II
Building on the skills learned in Clinical Massage Therapy I, this course introduces trigger point therapy, fascial release, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular techniques and the general protocol that guides clinical massage therapy treatments. Clinical massage therapy treatment indications, precautions, and contraindications for pathologies of the neck and shoulder are introduced. (64 clock hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy III
This course focuses on specific soft-tissue pathologies of the upper and lower extremities, the trunk, and postural distortion. Specific massage therapy techniques are refined and incorporated into the general protocols for each condition. Students learn to recognize specific pathologies, develop treatment goals, and implement a massage therapy treatment plan. (60 clock hours)

Introduction to Bodywork
This course introduces massage and bodywork as they relate to complementary and alternative medicine. The basics of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as breathing and meditation techniques for self-care and therapeutic use are demonstrated and practiced. A study guide for the bodywork section of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork examination is provided. (12 clock hours)

Hydrotherapy
This course explores the principles and applications of therapeutic hydrotherapy and thermotherapy modalities. Students apply thermal agents commonly used in a clinical setting and observe their physiological effects on the human body. (20 clock hours)

Kinesiology
This course introduces the principles of movement. The relationship between the anatomy and kinesiology of joints and muscles is studied, as are the complications, precautions and contraindications when applying basic therapeutic movement protocols. (48 clock hours)

Pathology
This course introduces the etiology, signs and symptoms, as well as massage therapy indications and contraindications for pathological conditions typically encountered in massage therapy practice. (52 clock hours)

Physiology
This course introduces the basic processes that underlie the functions of the major anatomical systems of the human body in order to assist the clinical massage therapist to understand the effects of specific massage treatments. (60 clock hours)

Professional Development I
This course focuses on the professional development of massage therapists and the issues affecting contemporary massage therapy practice. Key ethical issues, including scope of practice, informed consent, confidentiality, boundaries, and dual relationships are also introduced. (12 clock hours)

Professional Development II
This course examines the fundamentals of building a successful clinical massage therapy career. Students are introduced to a variety of career development topics, including: resume writing, interviewing, marketing, state licensure, professional insurance, and credentialing requirements. A final written comprehensive examination offers preparation for the national licensing examination. (14 clock hours)

Sports Massage
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of Sports Massage and focuses on pre-event, post-event, thermal injuries, and cramp relief techniques. (16 clock hours)

Clinical Education I: Competency Clinics
In this course students apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in the didactic courses and demonstrate their ability to perform the common set of clinical skills required of an entry-level massage therapist. Attendance is mandatory. (20 clock hours)

Clinical Education II: Internship/Externship
The on-campus Teaching Clinic provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors as they work with the public in a faculty-supervised clinical massage therapy environment. The Teaching Clinic also serves as a professional development laboratory in which student interns assist in the management of clinic operations.

Soma has established a clinical affiliation at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Students will have an opportunity to work, under faculty supervision, with patients and medical teams. (80 clock hours)

Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Clinical Education I. Proof of Rubella and Rubeola immunization and of a negative result PPD (TB test) obtained within the last 12 months before the start of the externship.

CLASS SCHEDULES

Our program schedules are designed to fit your lifestyle.

The Soma Institute's flexible program schedule enables you to attend classes when it works best for your schedule. So no matter how busy you are, you'll have the opportunity to pursue your new career.

Our Clinical Massage Therapy Program offers:

• Day classes
• Evening/weekend classes

Contact a Soma Representative to learn how The Soma Institute can easily fit into your life.