Medical Massage Therapy Specialty

For Pain Management and Injury Rehabilitation

Medical Massage is outcome-based, offering specific treatment protocols targeting specific problems. It involves massage therapy methods that may be specific to pathologies presented. Medical Massage methods aim to bring about a therapeutic change beyond the relaxation and stress reduction benefits.

These classes prepare students to work with clients who suffer from specific pain and dysfunction resulting from disorders such as chronic low back pain, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica pain, thoracic outlet and other specific medical conditions. Students will learn to apply various bodywork modalities to specific functional and structural pathologies of the body.

We offer a complete series of medical massage classes, which can be taken as part of the 250 hr or 500 hr Massage Therapist Programs or as continuing education classes.

Instructor: Marty Morales

Medical Massage Classes:

• Medical Massage (64 hrs) Medical Massage includes 8 classes with techniques to address specific medical conditions. Learn to use various modalities such as Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, deep Swedish, and orthopedic testing to work with specific debilitating problems. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training.
Medical Massage - Low Back Pain (8 hrs) Understand the nature of spinal mechanics and the relationships between low back muscles, the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis in order to bring relief to low back pain sufferers.
Medical Massage - Thoracic Outlet and Ribs (8 hrs) Learn to work the entire shoulder girdle, including the ribcage, in order to bring quick and effective relief to clients with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Medical Massage - Whiplash and Neck Work (8 hrs) Learn the nature of spinal mechanics in the neck and learn how to work the muscles of the neck in order to bring relief and movement to your client’s problem areas.
Medical Massage - Frozen Shoulder (8 hrs) Gain valuable anatomy knowledge of the shoulder and learn quick and effective fascial and movement techniques for clients with Frozen Shoulder and other conditions
Medical Massage - Sciatica and IT Band (8 hrs) Understand the relationship between IT band and the quadriceps and hamstrings and learn to work it in different positions in order to fully access the IT band and the muscles of the pelvis in order to positively affect clients with sciatic issues.
Medical Massage - Sprained Ankle and Knee Issues (8 hrs) Learn to assess and address ankle and knee issues on and off the massage table. Learn the proper techniques in order to work deeply and gently to bring clients out of pain.
Medical Massage - Carpal Tunnel (8 hrs) Anatomy of the forearm and carpal tunnel will be reviewed. Learn the application of orthopedic medical evaluation tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as well as technique.
Medical Massage - Headaches & TMJ (8 hrs) The jaw has a close relationship to headaches. In this class you will learn how to work the muscles of the jaw and head to help alleviate tension headaches.
• Lymphatic Massage (20 hrs) In this class you will learn how to palpate and effectively stimulate the lymphatic system with a light touch. The techniques shown will help you to individualize your clients’ sessions to address areas of edema and scar tissue as well as give support to detoxification and decongestion goals. Lymphatic massage is especially useful when applied to general respiratory conditions, abdominal discomforts, sprains and post-operative recovery. This class includes foundation al theory, hands-on practice of lymphatic techniques, the opportunity to integrate the techniques into your signature massage and a discussion of how to apply your new skills in specific postoperative situations, including cosmetic surgery.
• Muscle Energy Techniques (16 hrs) Is a blanket term describing an approach to muscle/fascial work that uses the client’s “muscle energy” to make changes in ROM and reduction of pain. This technique is very easy to learn and integrate into any massage session. We will explore the physiology of muscles and their relationship with fascia. The connection of the nervous system and proprioceptors imbedded in the muscle is a component we will spend time learning. This type of work will make all of your other techniques more effective and you will not have to work as hard. Be a therapist that works smart, not hard. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training.
• Assessment and Body Reading (16 hrs) This class covers an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal tissue within the context of whole body reading and assessment. We will cover techniques that will help massage therapists read body posture (in static and in movement) in order to find the optimal areas to work for a client’s injuries or chronic patterns of pain. Prerequisite: 100 hrs massage training.
• Postural Analysis (8) Learn what the body’s position in space can tell you. Use your eyes to truly understand where the body pain is coming from so you can treat the cause and not the symptom. You will not only learn how to see the position, but also to determine which muscles are being utilized. This class is a “must” for anyone doing clinical massage or any kind of structural bodywork. Prerequisite: None.
• Insurance Billing (3 hrs) Medical massage is a rapidly growing industry. If you already have the training and experience for this facet of massage but are unsure of how to do the billing, then this class is for you! This workshop will cover a step-by-step process for completing and filing all the necessary paperwork to ensure that you get compensated properly and in a timely manner. Learn how to bill for the two most common types of insurance: Workers’ Compensation and Med-Pay (Auto Insurance). This is not a techniques course. Prerequisite: None.

 

• Stretching (16 hrs) We will examine the physiological mechanics of soft tissue as it relates to stretching and apply appropriate techniques to facilitate change. The values and effects of static, ballistic, PNF, AIS, Muscle Energy Techniques and Pin and Stretch, will be discussed and we will practice application of all these techniques to the major muscles of the body. This class is a must for the therapist who is interested in empowering clients to take care of themselves. Prerequisite: None.
• Body Mechanics (8 hrs) Know the smart way to use your body in order to produce safe, effective, and efficient bodywork. This workshop will: Cover the principles required for effective massage and bodywork; Demonstrate applications of the principles on all major body parts; Allow the student to practice in class under direct supervision; Include tips on self-care in and outside your massage practice. Prerequisite: None
• Myofascial Bodywork + Structural Integration (32 hrs)  This workshop introduces myofascial therapy techniques that can be integrated into an existing massage practice. Through proper body mechanics and learning to work with precision, you will learn how to access the superficial and deeper layers of fascia for the major areas of the body in order to relieve tension, speed up injury rehabilitation, and free up movement restrictions. This 20 hour workshop will allow you to work deeper without injury to either client or practitioner. Instructor: Marty Morales. Prerequisite: 100 hours of massage therapy training.
• Trigger Point Therapy (16 hrs) Trigger points are areas of contracted muscle tissue that can be tender to the touch and are often involved in chronic pain. This class is designed for the massage therapist who desires to take their skills to another level of precision. You will learn to assess, identify and assist the client in releasing long-held patterns in the body. Increase your effectiveness by working smart, not harder. Prerequisite: 100 hours of massage training.
  

  
  

  
  
  

  UPCOMING CLASSES

  Medical MEDICAL MASSAGE- FROZEN SHOULDER (8 hrs) Wed, Dec 14 (9 am – 6 pm)  Gain valuable anatomy knowledge of the shoulder and learn quick and effective fascial and movement techniques for clients with Frozen Shoulder and other conditions. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales

  MEDICAL MASSAGE – SCIATICA AND IT BAND (8 hrs) Thu, Dec 15 (9 am – 6 pm) Understand the relationship between IT band and the quadriceps and hamstrings and learn to work it in different positions in order to fully access the IT band and the muscles of the pelvis in order to positively affect clients with sciatic issues. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales

  MEDICAL MASSAGE – CARPAL TUNNEL (8 hrs) Fri, Dec 16 (9 am – 6 pm) Anatomy of the forearm and carpal tunnel will be reviewed. Learn the application of orthopedic medical evaluation tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as well as technique. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales

  MEDICAL MASSAGE- HEADACHES & TMJ (8 hrs) Sat, Dec 17 (9 am - 6 pm) The jaw has a close relationship to headaches. In this class you will learn how to work the muscles of the jaw and head to help alleviate tension headaches. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

  MARKETING FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS (8 hrs) Sun, Dec 18 (9 am – 6 pm). In order to start and run a successful practice, a brand/business identity needs to be established. This is the core element that feeds into all other marketing strategies. A branding process will normally cost over $1,000. This information-packed workshop will give you valuable information at a fraction of the cost: Reveal your current identity and your desired position as bodyworker. Create a tagline for your business. Discover your ideal client. Identify your true aesthetic that will feed into your future designs (website for example). Prerequisite: None Instructor: Marty Morales Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115 4-Wk $110
  
  TRIGGER POINT THERAPY (16 hrs) Fri & Sat, January 20, 21 (9 am – 6 pm). Trigger points are areas of contracted muscle tissue that can be tender to the touch and are often involved in chronic pain. This class is designed for the massage therapist who desires to take their skills to another level of precision. You will learn to assess, identify and assist the client in releasing long-held patterns in the body. Increase your effectiveness by working smart, not harder. Prerequisite: 100 hrs massage training. Instructor: Marty Morales. Cost: $224 Prepay: 2-Wk $215, 4-Wk $205.
  
  MYOFASCIAL BODYWORK - STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION (32 hrs) Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon January 13, 14, 15 & 16 (9 am - 6 pm). Gaining an understanding of the client as a ‘whole’ and not just the sum of their parts is the next paradigm in bodywork. Day one consists of being able to read and assess a client’s body issues and then formulate a plan that takes into account that working one area may affect another. In addition to exploring palpation, day two to four will focus on gaining fascial palpation/techniques to better understand the importance of working with fascia. Finally, the student will practice the theoretical reading tools and fascial techniques learned. Prerequisite: 100 hrs massage training. Instructor: Marty Morales. Cost: $450 Prepay: 2-Wk $440, 4-Wk $430.

  MEDICAL MASSAGE - LOW BACK PAIN (8 hrs) Mon, Mar 5 (9 am - 6 pm) Understand the nature of spinal mechanics and the relationships between low back muscles, the lumbar spine, sacrum, and pelvis in order to bring relief to low back pain sufferers. Prerequisite: 100 hrs of massage training. Instructor: Marty Morales. Cost: $120 Prepay: 2-Wk $115, 4-Wk $110

  MEDICAL MASSAGE - SPRAINED ANKLE & KNEE ISSUES (8 hrs) Tue, Mar 6 (9 am - 6 pm) Learn to assess and address ankle and knee issues on and off the massage table. Learn the proper techniques in order to work deeply and gently to bring clients out of pain.