Kingston University - Massage Therapist Programs

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Mon 06, Sep 2010

Academic Programs

Massage Therapist Programs

Program Information:
Kingston University offers options of massage therapy programs based on total numbers of training hours, which are 300 hours, 600 hours and 1,000 hours, respectively.

Students may choose a program with reference to meeting governmental licensing requirements, which are in the trend of increasing minimum training hours and standards for measuring competency. For example, the State of California has passed a new legislation in 2008 for voluntary registration of qualified massage therapists. Effective September 1, 2009, students who complete a minimum of 500 hours of training from a state approved institution will be issued a Certified Massage Therapist Certificate by the newly established California Massage Therapy Council. Other governmental requirements may include passing the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) which is administered by non-governmental NCBTMB that requires a minimum of 500 hours of training from an approved school.

Upon completion of the programs, a student will be prepared to enter the massage and acupuncture job market in the fields of, but not limited to, the following areas: medical treatment field such as chiropractic, physical therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, acupuncture clinics and institutions, health spas, hotels, beauty salons, luxurious cruise, private practice, and teaching.

I. Massage Therapist - 300 Clock Hours
The program consists of 300 clock hours of theory studies and practicum training. The objectives of this program are to equip students with basic skills and knowledge required for a competent Massage Therapist. At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

1.	Demonstrate the skills needed to perform basic massage skills in Swedish, American and Oriental massage.
2.	Demonstrate knowledge of basic human muscle and skeletal anatomy.
3.	Demonstrate skills for maintaining patient integrity and modesty.
4.	Know how to perform massage in the basic settings of both chiropractic and health care settings.
5.	Know basic laws needed for successful practice.
6.	Know basics of nutrition and physical strength for proper muscle development.
7.	Know basics of sanitation and health safety.

The study scheme of the 300-hour training program is outlined below:

Anatomy and Physiology	80 Clock Hours
Basic body mechanics and Kinesiology	20 Clock Hours
Acupuncture Meridian Theories and Points	20 Clock Hours
Pathophysiology	20 Clock Hours
Swedish massage, deep tissue massage	20 Clock Hours
Basic skills in a massage practicum	40 Clock Hours
Chair massage and Reflexology	10 Clock Hours
Basic business management and ethics	10 Clock Hours
Basic medical terminology	10 Clock Hours
Basic hygiene and nutrition	10 Clock Hours
CPR and First Aid Training*	10 Clock Hours
Rehabilitation Assessment	10 Clock Hours
Other non-western massage techniques and clinical studies	40 Clock Hours
Total	300 Clock Hours

* to be taken at Red Cross or an institution approved by Kingston University

II. Massage Therapist - 600 Clock Hours
The program provides students with extensive training in a broad spectrum of massage skills and advance knowledge needed to practice massage in most jurisdictions, such as the state of California, that require a minimum of 500 hours of training for licensure as a massage therapist. Upon completion of the program, students will also meet the requirements for taking the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

In this program, the student will build on basic massage skills into additional advanced skills in Swedish Massage, Body Awareness, Sports/Deep Tissue Massage, Chair Massage, Reflexology, Lymph drainage therapy and acupressure, Shiatsu, Tuina, Hydrotherapy, and other skills for therapy massage. At the completion of the courses, the student should be able to:

1.	Know basics of Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology and Advanced Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology.
2.	Know benefits of massage, and general massage indications and contraindications.
3.	Know body awareness and demonstrate basic skills in a massage practicum.
4.	Explain and use skills in basic Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, lymph drainage therapy and a full 60-minute body massage and advanced Swedish massage
5.	Demonstrate application of aromatherapy
6.	Demonstrate skills of chair massage
7.	Know myofascial trigger points
8.	Know palpitation series
9.	Know rotator cuff solutions
10.	Demonstrate therapeutic stretching skills
11.	Know basic business skills and management and professional ethics and standards.
12.	Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills
13.	Know basic hygiene and nutrition
14.	Demonstrate CPR and First Aid training
15.	Know and perform other non-western massage techniques including Thai massage, Tuina, Shiatsu, Ayurveda and the seven major chakras

The study scheme of the 600-hour training program is outlined below:

Human Body System, Anatomy, Physiology & Kinesiology	150 Clock Hours
Advance Pathology	50 Clock Hours
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Assessment	20 Clock Hours
Advance Skills in a Massage Practicum	60 Clock Hours
Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage	60 Clock Hours
Chair massage	20 Clock Hours
Sports Massage and Therapeutic Stretching	40 Clock Hours
Reflexology	25 Clock Hours
Rotator Cuff Solutions	10 Clock Hours
Myofascial trigger points	10 Clock Hours
Lymph Drainage	20 Clock Hours
Aromatherapy	10 Clock Hours
Hydrotherapy and Heat/Cold Therapy	5 Clock Hours
Acupuncture Meridian Theories and Points	60 Clock Hours
Basic Business Management and Ethics	10 Clock Hours
Basic Hygiene and Nutrition	10 Clock Hours
CPR and First Aid training*	8 Clock Hours
Clinical Studies and Other Asian & Western Massage	32 Clock Hours
Total	600 Clock Hours

*to be taken at Red Cross or an institution approved by Kingston University

III. Massage Therapist - 1,000 Clock Hours
This program will train students to become masters in massage therapy. The program will provide in-depth training in the human body system, physiology, pathology as well as various advance massage therapy techniques in both western and non-western massage therapy applications. Students will be exposed to extensive clinical studies of individual cases and to be able to explain the theories of massage therapy and develop therapy plans tailoring to individual client's needs upon professional assessment of the clients.

At the completion of the program, the student should be able to demonstrate the followings skills and/or knowledge objectives:

1.	Know basics of Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology and Advanced Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology.
2.	Know benefits of massage, and general massage indications and contraindications.
3.	Know body awareness and demonstrate basic skills in a massage practicum.
4.	Explain and use skills in basic Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, lymph drainage therapy and a full two-hour body massage and advanced Swedish massage.
5.	Demonstrate application of aromatherapy.
6.	Demonstrate skills of chair massage.
7.	Know myofascial trigger points.
8.	Know palpitation series.
9.	Know rotator cuff solutions.
10.	Demonstrate therapeutic stretching skills.
11.	Know basic business skills and management and professional ethics and standards.
12.	Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
13.	Know basic hygiene and nutrition.
14.	Demonstrate CPR and First Aid training.
15.	Demonstrate skills in performing Oriental massage techniques such as Thai massage, Tuina, Shiatsu, Ayurveda and the seven major chakras.
16.	Competent in explaining theories of massage therapies and develop therapy plans for clients tailoring to the needs of individual clients.
17.	Knowledgeable in rehabilitation assessment.

The study scheme of the 1,000-hour training program is outlined below:

Human Body System, Anatomy, Physiology & Kinesiology	150 Clock Hours
Advance Pathology	50 Clock Hours
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Assessment	20 Clock Hours
Advance Skills in a Massage Practicum	60 Clock Hours
Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage	60 Clock Hours
Chair massage	20 Clock Hours
Sports Massage and Therapeutic Stretching	40 Clock Hours
Reflexology	25 Clock Hours
Rotator Cuff Solutions	10 Clock Hours
Myofascial trigger points	10 Clock Hours
Lymph Drainage	20 Clock Hours
Aromatherapy	10 Clock Hours
Hydrotherapy and Heat/Cold Therapy	5 Clock Hours
Acupuncture Meridian Theories and Points	60 Clock Hours
Acupressure and Tuina	35 Clock Hours
Hygiene and Nutrition	20 Clock Hours
Advance Business Management and Ethics	50 Clock Hours
Herbology and Essential oils	10 Clock Hours
Massage for Sports Injury	40 Clock Hours
Thai Massage	40 Clock Hours
Ayurveda and Chakra	36 Clock Hours
Facial Massage	40 Clock Hours
Pregnancy Massage	25 Clock Hours
Massage for Baby	10 Clock Hours
CPR and First Aid training	8 Clock Hours
Energy Work for Massage Therapist	26 Clock Hours
Massage and Spa Industry	20 Clock Hours
Clinical Studies with emphasis on treatment program design / other massage techniques	100 Clock Hours
Total	1,000 Clock Hours