Holistic and Sports Massage Course Level 3

Course details

This exciting new course teaches Holistic Massage incorporating the classical movements of effleurage, petrissage, tapotment, friction and vibration which enables the therapist to provide relaxing full body Holistic massage.

The Sports Massage portion of this course will develop the massage therapist’s understanding from relaxation massage to being able to provide Pre-event ‘warm up’ and Post-event ‘cool down’ sports massage and Deep Tissue conditioning Myofascial massage. Advanced techniques are used to free up knots and restrictions in muscles by releasing myofascial adhesion, restoring normal resting tone and re-establish joint Range Of Motion.

Holistic Massage:

• History of Massage
• Preparation / Equipment for Massage
• Definition of the strokes of Massage [including effleurage, petrissage, tapotment, friction and vibration]
• Sequence of strokes [Full body, Facial, Scalp and Foot massage]
• Effects and Benefits of Massage [mechanical; physiological; reflex effects; psychological and energetic effects]
• Cautions, Contra-indications and Endangerment sites to consider when applying massage techniques.
• Nutrition – understanding the effects of stress on the client’s nutritional status
• Care of the therapist – posture, safe application of techniques, body mechanics
• Care of the client – record keeping, confidentiality, professionalism
• Business awareness / professionalism – how to establish & promote your massage business
• First Aid
• Relaxation – simple techniques for real relaxation. Learn how to contact the healing energy in the body and how to use it when doing massage

Anatomy and Physiology:

• The Cell and tissue types
• Integumentary system, the skin and nails
• Directional terminology
• Planes of dissection
• Joint mobility and range of movement
• Skeletal system – location, structure and function including bony prominences for muscle attachments
• Muscular system – muscle properties, muscle function, muscle tone, muscle fatigue
• Study of muscles (myology) – Including origin, insertion and action of the muscles that move the body
• Cardiovascular system – systemic and pulmonary circulation
• Lymphatic system – structure and functions of the lymphatic system
• Digestive system – location, structure and function of organs and glands of the gastro-intestinal tract
• Nervous system – structure and function of nerves, C.N.S and peripheral nervous system
• Endocrine and Reproductive Systems – location , structure and function of the endrocrine glands and reproductive cycle
• Respiratory system – internal and external respiration
• Urinary system – components i.e. kidney, ureter and bladder
• Pathologies associated with each system

Sports Massage:

• Pre-event massage
• Between event massage
• Post-event massage
• Preventative / conditioning massage
• Basic corrective massage
• Sequence of strokes [Full body pre, post and conditioning massage]
• Cautions, Contra-indications and Endangerment sites to consider when applying massage techniques.
• Nutrition – understanding the effects of exercise and stress on the client’s nutritional status
• Signs and symptoms of inflammation
• Degree of swelling
• Variation in tissue temperatures
• Muscle tone and bulk
• Adhesions
• Record Keeping
• Taking a case history
• Monitoring treatment outcomes
• Home care
• Effects and benefits of stretching
• Advantages of Active Isolated Stretching
• Restoring muscle balance
• Effects and benefits of Sports Massage
• Methods of application
• Contraindications
• Palpation and physical assessment
• Care of the therapist – posture, safe application of techniques, body mechanics
• Care of the Client – Home care and rehabilitation exercises
• Contra indications to Sports Massage