Career Projections

According to the US Department of Labor employment Massage therapists’ employment is expected to grow by 19% from 2008-2018, as people learn more about the benefits of massage therapy. Additionally, increasing numbers in massage franchises being started will increase the demand of therapists.

What is a Holistic Health Practitioner?

• A Holistic Health practitioners emphasis is wellness and prevention. They are not involved in disease control as traditional medical Doctors. They work together with a Health Care provider to develop health plans for their patients. A Holistic Health Practitioner believes that treating the person as a whole.
• This certificate program prepares the student for a career working with clients interested in wellness. 
• The course emphasizes on evaluating client’s health as well as their overall wellness. 
• Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment is their ultimate goal for their clients.
• Through this course, the HHP student will learn to educate, organize, consult and design wellness programs for individual clients. 
• Students will be introduced to Western and Eastern philosophies. 
• Upon completion of program, they would be prepared to work in spa or medical arenas.

Modalities taught include:

Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, reflexology, shiatsu, Thai massage, sports massage involving neuromuscular therapies, and lymphatic drainage.

Those who seek a Massage Therapist tend to make regular visits for the maintenance care for their particular wellness needs. Developing a loyal clientele is an important part of becoming successful.  Our program enables each student to become proficient in developing client consultation, treatment, and plans for their clients wellness program.

Course syllabus

Course Details - Subject 400 Theory

Anatomy/physiology/ pathology
This course covers anatomical terminology, muscle tissue, and the physiology of skeletal muscle contraction.  The course is devoted to the study of the skeletal system, emphasizing its role in movement and posture. This course also covers the endocrine, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems. Pathologic conditions are also explored in each system and the challenges it imposes on wellness.

Clinical / professional practices
Students are introduced to the standards of professionalism in the health and wellness industry.  Each individual develops the necessary communication skills to enhance the client/therapist relationship.

Intro to massage
Students are introduced to the strokes and hands-on skills that are the groundwork for massage techniques used throughout the Program. This course develops communication skills, draping techniques, and reviews the benefits and contraindications for massage. Students learn the basic strokes of compression, jostling, effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, tapotement and range-of-motion techniques.  Students will learn to perform a fluid one-hour session.

Business practices
Business practice classes is designed to provide the skills and strategies for seeking and finding satisfying employment and for building and maintaining successful and ethical private practices as a massage therapist. Students learn how to identify target markets, develop strategies for networking and practice building, prepare résumé, perform in a job interview and present themselves and their work in effective ways.

Course Details - Subject 400 Advanced Western Theory

Sports Massage
Sports massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons.  Students will learn to use Passive Range of Motion, Active Range of Motion and Muscle Length tests to identify which muscles may be shortened or overstretched, enabling them to apply therapeutic techniques efficiently and effectively.  Pre-event and post-event massage methods are explored.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation including hydrotherapy (ice/heat)
In this course, students will master the art of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation exercises. This method is meant to re-educate clients on the safest and most natural ways to move their bodies.  PNF is very effective when it comes to improving flexibility, strength and range of motion in injured or strained muscle.  Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) techniques helps to establish more length in shortened tissues. Some of the additional techniques include Reciprocal Inhibition, approximation and hydrotherapy.

Trigger Point Therapy
The student will learn how and why trigger points develop in the body.  A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot that is painful. It is called a trigger point because it "triggers" a painful response.  The student  will locate and deactivate them using finger pressure methods.

Myofacial Release
Students will learn and be effective in applying Myofascial Release.  They will also understand how pain arises from myofacial restriction.  This is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the Myofascial connective tissue. This hands on technique can help eliminate pain and restore motion.

Course Details - Subject 400 Advance Eastern Theory

5 Element Theory
This course provides understanding to the fundamental concepts of Toa, Yin and Yang, Five-Element Theory, Qi, and the study of the 12 meridian energetic pathways of our body.  The student will develop methods to analyze clients within the Five-Element Theory framework of Bo Shin (looking), Bun Sin (listen, smelling), Mon Sin (asking), Setsu Shin (touching).  Students will learn how to design a treatment plan to meet the specific needs of each client.

Shiatsu/Thai
The student will be prepared to perform a shiatsu session using pressure techniques and meditative methods. The bodywork will consist of the therapist using their hands, fingers, thumbs, palms, knees, elbows, and feet.  Pressure is applied all over the body, specifically along the energy pathways.  This helps to stimulate the healing abilities of the body, helping to reduce symptoms of illness, and regain strength and vitality.  Techniques of joint movement and stretching are also applied to help increase flexibility as well as provide better access to the energy paths.

Ayurvedic
Ayurvedic principles explain that there can be no mental health without physical health and vice versa.  The course material defines prevention of disease, rejuvenation of the body systems and extension of life span.  The 3 Doshas Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are explained in the course material.

Reflexology
This course examines the basic theory and techniques of foot Reflexology. Topics will include an overview of the reflexes and referral patterns of the feet, and zone therapy.  Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body. The aim of the material is to provide students with basic techniques that can be incorporated into any style of bodywork.

Course Details - Subject 400 Advance Spa

Hot Stone Massage
The student will learn how to perform this unique form of massage using heated stones on the body.  Basalt stones will be used, as the minerals in basalt absorb and retain heat the longest of any type of stone.  Hot Stone Massage is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage.  The student will understand how heat helps muscles release. 

Body Scrubs
Exfoliating methods are also learned in this course.  These methods, usually known as salt glows using sea salts or sugar combined with oils are practiced.

Body Wraps
This course will provide methods of how to perform a spa like Body wrap.  The student will understand about products applied to the body.  These products include the use of algae, seaweed, mud or clay detoxifying and ridding the body of toxins through metabolic stimulation.  Students will also perform body wraps using shea butter and rich lotions.  They will understand that these methods are for hydrating the body and softening the skin.

Hydro Tub Therapy
The student will learn how to provide treatments on clients submerged in warm water. Hydro tub techniques promote lymphatic circulation and overall relaxation. Warm water and passive stretching is performed on the client.  These exercises performed are gentle to joints and muscles.  Floatation techniques are also learned to promote a deep relaxation.