Clinical Massage Therapy Program Courses

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

Clinical Anatomy 1 (ANAT1)
This course provides an overview of the basic tissues that compose the body as well as the integumentary, nervous, and endocrine systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (20 clock hours / 2.0 credit hours)

Clinical Anatomy 2 (ANAT2)
This course provides an overview of the cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory and reproductive systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (20 clock hours / 2.0 credit hours)

Clinical Education 1 (CLED1)
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 required at time of test. (20 clock hours / 1.0 credit hour)

Clinical Education 2 (CLED2)
The on-campus Teaching Clinic Internship provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge, skills and attitudes as they work with the public in a facultysupervised clinical environment. Through a clinical affiliation agreement established with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago students participate in externships in which they interact with patients and medical teams under faculty supervision. Faculty-supervised Massage Events associated with working on the general public prior to the completion of CLED 1 and which have been approved by the Program Director will count towards CLED 2 hours. (90 clock hours / 3.0 credit hours)

Clinical Integration 1 (CLIN1)
This course introduces client intake forms, client history documentation and posture analysis. (10 clock hours / 1.0 credit hour)

Clinical Integration 2 (CLIN2) This course introduces cervical joint range of motion and orthopedic tests related to the practice of clinical massage therapy. Students study the clinical significance of palpatory findings. (20 clock hours / 2.0 credit hour)

Clinical Integration 3 (CLIN3)
This course introduces joint range of motion, palpatory findings and orthopedic tests for the upper extremity and lumbosacral spine, related to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (20 clock hours / 1.5 credit hours)

Clinical Integration 4 (CLIN4)
This course introduces joint range of motion, palpatory findings and orthopedic tests for the hip & knee, related to the practice of clinical massage therapy. (20 clock hours / 1.5 credit hours)

Clinical Massage Techniques and Protocols (CMTP)
Building on the skills learned in Clinical Massage Therapy 1, this course introduces trigger point therapy, fascial techinques, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular techniques, sports massage techniques and the general protocol that guides clinical massage therapy treatments. The principles and applications of therapeutic hydrotherapy and thermotherapy modalities are also introduced. Students apply thermal agents commonly used in a clinical setting and observe their physiological effects on the human body. (60 clock hours / 4.0 credit hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy 1 (CMT1)
This course introduces the principles of Swedish massage therapy. Professional standards and techniques of therapeutic communication, draping, client positioning, health, hygiene and body mechanics are demonstrated and practiced. In addition, the anatomical and physiological effects of massage are examined, together with the indications, precautions, and contraindications for particular massage therapy techniques. (80 clock hours / 5.0 credit hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy 2 (CMT2)
Building on the skills learned in Clinical Massage Therapy 1 and Clinical Massage Techniques & Protocols, this course introduces clinical massage therapy treatment indications, precautions, and contraindications for pathologies of the cervical region. (20 clock hours / 1.5 credit hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy 3 (CMT3)
This course focuses on specific-soft tissue pathologies of the upper extremity, 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. (50 clock hours / 3.5 credit hours)

Clinical Massage Therapy 4 (CMT4)
This course focuses on specific-soft tissue pathologies of the lower extremity. 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. (30 clock hours / 2.0 credit hours)

Kinesiology 1 (KIN1)
This course introduces students to the principles of movement. The relationship between the anatomy and the kinesiology of joints and muscles is studied, as are complications, precautions and contraindications when applying basic therapeutic movement protocols. The muscles of the upper extremity and trunk will be presented in this class. (30 clock hours / 2.5 credit hours)

Kinesiology 2 (KIN2)
This course builds on skills from Kinesiology 1. The relationship between the anatomy and the kinesiology of joints and muscles is studied, as are complications, precautions and contraindications when applying basic therapeutic movement protocols. The muscles of the lower extremity will be presented in this class. (20 clock hours / 1.5 credit hours)

Musculoskeletal Anatomy 1
This course provides a detailed overview of muscles of the upper body and the skeletal and articular systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. There is a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments in order to locate and assess tissues of the human body. (40 clock hours / 3.0 credits)

Musculoskeletal Anatomy 2
This course provides a detailed overview of muscles of the trunk as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. There is a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments in order to locate and assess tissues of the human body. (40 clock hours / 3.0 credits)

Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3
This course provides a detailed overview of muscles of the lower body as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy. There is a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments in order to locate and assess tissues of the human body. (30 clock hours / 2.0 credits)

Pathology 1 (PATH1)
In this course students are taught to identify etiology, signs and symptoms, as well as massage indications and contraindications for various commonly occurring pathological conditions relating to the integumentary, skeletal and cardiovascular systems. This course also includes a brief description of basic CPR/First Aid concepts. (30 hours / 3.0 credit hours)

Pathology 2 (PATH2)
In this course students are taught to identify etiology, signs and symptoms, as well as massage indications and contraindications for various commonly occurring pathological conditions relating to the endocrine, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. (20 hours / 2.0 credit hours)

Physiology 1 (PHYS1)
This course introduces students to the basic processes that underlie the functions of the major anatomical systems of the human body such as cell structure, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems so that the clinical massage therapist understands the effects of specific massage treatments and is able to determine the most effective techniques. (20 clock hours / 2.0 credit hours)

Physiology 2 (PHYS2)
This course introduces students to the basic processes that underlie the functions of the major anatomical systems of the human body, such as the endocrine, lymphatic, digestive and respiratory systems so that the clinical massage therapist understands the effects of specific massage treatments and is able to determine the most effective techniques. (40 clock hours / 4.0 credit hours)

Professional Development 1 (PROD1)
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. (10 clock-hours / 1.0 credit hour)

Professional Development 2 (PROD2)
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, basic marketing, state licensure, professional insurance and credentialing requirements. A final written comprehensive examination offers preparation for The National Certification Exam from the NCTMB. (10 clock hours / 1.0 credit hour)

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