HW 499 / Unit 5 CAM Project

Introduction to Massage Therapy

Course Syllabus
General Information
Instructor: Tony Polynice, CMT
Email: antonypolynice@gmail.com
Course Meetings: Riverdale Town Center, suite B
Course Schedule: T-TH, 11am-12:30pm
Course Fee: Free
Course Description
This introductory course will teach participants the basic skills and applications of
Massage Therapy. This course will address massage therapy fundamentals and its
popularity as a modality of complementary and alternative medicine. Students will learn
basic information on complementary and alternative medicines. Upon completion of this
course, the student should have a basic understanding of massage history, the
neuromuscular system, massage modalities, massage application and technique, and
diseases, conditions, and contraindications. This beginners course will allow the
student opportunities to investigate the anatomy and physiology of the neuromuscular
system, while exploring massages effects on body systems and organs. This course
will also show students how massage can be beneficial for promoting general health
and well-being.
Class Rules

Please raise your hands if you have any questions, participation is greatly
appreciated
Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in the classroom. However,
please keep the room and equipment clean
Please feel free to leave at your own will if you have personal business to attend
to
Daily attendance and punctuality is not required. However, it is strongly
suggested for participants that may be considering taking a massage
certificate/licensure course in the future.
Child care will be provided each day across the hall at suite C. However, there
will be a small fee of $5 per child, per day.

Participants do not need to bring any items or equipment. All equipment will be
provided during demonstration and practice time.
All minors under the age of 17 should be accompanied by an adult.

Course Prerequisites
None
Course Objectives
1. To briefly discuss what complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) consist of.
2. To learn the origin and history of massage therapy
3. To learn the basic anatomy and physiology of the skin and the neuromuscular
system.
4. To discuss the difference between eastern and western modalities.
5. To also learn about ointments and lubricants, aroma therapy, and massage
techniques that can be utilized in treating numerous conditions.
6. To discuss conditions that massage therapy can treat.
7. To discuss diseases, medical conditions, and other contraindications that therapist
should be mindful of, or avoid.
8. To learn new trends and research in the field of massage.
9. To discuss safety, ethics, and HIPAA
Course Materials

A massage table will be used at the end of the course for demonstration
purposes.
Massage chairs will also be provide for students to practice chair massages
Massage oil, cream, lotion, and gel, will be used for demonstration purposes
A YouTube video of a full body massage will be presented
A handout will be provided to all participants

Course References and Materials

Applegate, E., MS (2006) The Anatomy and Physiology Learning System, 3rd ed.,
Saunders Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA

Benjamin, P., PhD, Tappan, F., EdD (2005) Tappans Handbook of Healing Massage
Techniques Classic, Holistic, and Emerging Methods, 4 th ed., New Jersey, Pearson
Education
Macozzi, M., MD, PhD (2011) Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative
Medicine, 4th ed., Saunders Elsevier, St. Louis, MO
Massage Therapy Center (2014) What are the Contraindications to Massage
Treatment? Retrieved on June 15, 2015, from
http://massagenow.com/contraindications/
Mauk, B (2012, Dec 01) How Many Muscles Does a Human Have, retrieved from
http://www.livescience.com/32312-how-many-muscles-does-a-human-have.html
NCBTMB (Oct, 2008) Code of Ethics, Retrieved on June 15, 2015, from
http://www.ncbtmb.org/code-ethics
Salvo, S., Anderson, S (2004) Mosbys Pathology for Massage Therapists, Elsevier
Mosby, St. Louis, MO
YouTube video on teaching a full body Therapeutic Swedish massage,
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcJCg86oQN4
Grading
There will be no tests or final grade. This course is designed for information purposes
only.

Legal Disclaimer: This course is not intended to give medical advice for treating or
curing any diseases or conditions. This course is only used for educational purposes.
Persons experiencing any medical conditions or diseases should consult with their
primary care physician for advice or treatment
Lesson 1 Lecture
Lesson Summary: This lesson discusses a brief description of complementary and
alternative medicines (CAM)," and lists a few of the modalities. This lesson will further
discuss key terms such as holistic and wellness. Last, massage therapy will be defined
as a modality of CAM, and the origin and history of massage therapy will be discussed.
Lesson Content: .
What is CAM? / CAM Modalities
Complementary and alternative medicines are, in a sense, a different type of medical
system that is considered to be diverse in its approach, but share common ground in
views of health and healing. The concept of vitalism (or self-healing by using the flow,
connection, the awareness of being alive) at times can also play a role in CAM. There
are many social and cultural factors that may play a role in peoples understanding of
CAM and how it is utilized. CAM has been around thousands of years, in many
traditional forms of medicine such as herbal therapy and meditation. Today, many
people are following in some of the traditional CAM practices, and even integrating it
with todays conventional sciences, medicines, and technology.
Today, there many alternative types of medicine that falls under the category of CAM. A
few common modalities today are; Mind-Body Therapy (which includes mesmerism,
hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, meditation, guided imagery, mental and spiritual healing
such as prayer), Energy Medicine (such as magnet therapy and homeopathy), Creative
Therapy (such as art, music, and humor therapies), Touch Therapy (such as massage
and acupressure), Osteopathic Medicine, Chiropractic, Reflexology, Shiatsu,
Naturopathic Medicine, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM),
Acupuncture, Qi Gong, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Yoga. As I mentioned, there are many
more CAM modalities not mentioned in this lesson that are being practiced daily by
people all across the globe.
What is Holism?
The concept of holism also referred to as holistic, gravitates around the idea that there
is a natural connection between whole living parts or beings. Being whole at times
refers to the interconnectedness of mind, body, and soul, and its natural means of
healing a whole being.

What is wellness?
It is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more
successful existence. There are numerous definitions of the word wellness, most
pertaining to some form of being well or healthy. Also, there are six dimensions/areas of
wellness which includes; social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and
emotional wellness. Wellness or lack of wellness in one or more dimensions can affect
the wellness in others.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is a CAM modality that is considered to be a manual touch therapy.
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues including; muscles,
tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Massage involves therapeutic healing in the
form of touch, and often includes joint movements and stretching. There are many
massage therapy methods that are also referred to as massage modalities. The basic
and most common type of western massage therapy modality is the Swedish massage,
which will be discussed more in lesson 2. Most western massages are conducted by
hand, lubricant, and/or with basic tools such as stones.
Origin and History of Massage Therapy
Massage is part of a traditional natural healing art system that has been around for
centuries. Its intended purpose is to promote and restore health, healing, well-being and
relaxation. Massage and bodywork practices have been passed down through mainly
four traditions, which would also explain some of the different massage modalities and
philosophies. The four traditions are; Folk and native, Ayurvedic massage, Asian body
work therapy (ABT), and Western massage.
Folk and native traditions include herbal remedies, rituals, and religion into their
massage practice.
Ayurvedic massage originated from India, where energy work is used to balance energy
centers known as chakras. Ayurvedic therapy also focuses on hartha yoga, breathing
exercises, cleansing, and vegetarianism.
Asian body work therapy is similar to Ayurvedic therapy in the sense that it also focuses
on energy healing. Energy channels or meridians (chi, ki), and acupoints are used to
locate illnesses and imbalances within the body. A few of the common Asian modalities
are tai chi, qigong, and acupuncture.
Conventional western massage dates back to the late 19 th century and was founded by
Pehr Ling, and Johann Mezger. Traditional western massage can be traced back to
ancient Greece and Rome, and have developed over the centuries in Europe and North

America. Conventional western massage therapy is the only massage tradition that can
be used for healing, health, beauty, or pleasure. Lesson 2 will discuss the techniques
involved in conventional western massage therapy.

Lesson 2 Lecture
Lesson Summary: This lesson discusses the basic anatomical structure and function
of the human body. This lesson will focus on how soft tissue manipulation affects the
neuromuscular system. A thorough emphasis will be given to the description and
application of different massage techniques, the type of clients that seek therapy, and
the benefits of receiving massage.
Lesson Content:
Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the human body
The human body is a complex system of living things that all function together to
promote life. The human body is made of 10 body systems. The 10 body systems are;
skeletal, muscular, circulatory, digestive, urinary, nervous, reproductive, lymphatic,
endocrine, and respiratory systems. Each body system is made up of similar body
organs. Organs are made up of similar functioning tissues. A group of similar cells form
a tissue. In general, all cells contain a nucleus powerhouse, cytoplasmic fluid for the
transporting of nutrients, and a cell membrane to regulate the entering and exiting of
micronutrients within a cell. Overall, all body systems work together to make up the
whole body living experience. Although, massage benefit most, if not all, body systems,
this lesson will focus mostly on massage on the nervous and muscular (neuromuscular)
systems.
The Neuromuscular System
The human nervous system is made up of mostly the brain, the spinal cord, and many
nerves. The nerves act as neurotransmitters; that sends and receives messages, to and
from the brain, by way of the spinal cord.
The human body is made up of approximately 650 different muscles. Muscles make up
approximately 35-40 percent of an adults body weight. All muscles are made up of
muscle cells. Groups of muscle cells form muscle fibers. Groups of muscle fibers form a
fascicle. Muscles contain long cylinder strands of protein called myofibrils, which are
divided into sections called sarcomeres.
The connection between the nervous systems and the muscular system makes up the
neuromuscular system. Nerves and muscles connect at the neuromuscular junction.
The main neurotransmitter used in the neuromuscular junction is called Acetylcholine,
which ensures a smooth connection between muscle and nerve.

Understanding the Client

As a former massage practitioner, I enjoyed interacting with numerous massage clients
that all had different reasons for wanting a massage. In general, it seems that most
people want to receive massages for two main reasons; either because theyre
experiencing pain, or because they want to relax. Most clients want to know how they
can get rid of the pain, or how can they relax more often. There are many massage
modalities designed to meet the needs of each client. Sometimes, a blend of a variety of
massage modalities may also be advantageous to clients. For example, if a client was
complaining of pain from tight or stiff muscles or joints, I would combine a blend of
Swedish, deep tissue, range of motion/joint rotations, friction, stretches, sports
massage, hot stone massage, and neuromuscular therapy (NMT). A client experiencing
stress may benefit from a combination of aroma therapy, polarity therapy, and Swedish
massage. One of the advantages of massage for the practitioner is that he/she has an
opportunity to be creative when treating individual clients.
Client Assessment
Therapists should always complete a client assessment form on each new client. Client
assessment forms are an effective means of giving the client an opportunity to explain
preferences, comfort level, and any diseases or contraindications present. Clients may
specifically point out areas of pain, medications, and allergies. It is critical that therapists
complete a client assessment in order to ensure his/her own safety, as well as the
clients safety and comfort.
Basic Massage Techniques
There are numerous massage techniques that are derived from the five classic
technique categories. The five classic massage technique categories are effleurage,
petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration. These 5 techniques make up a basic,
Swedish-style, relaxation massage that are taught in many schools today.
Effleurage is a technique that uses the practitioners hand to slide or glide across the
skin a smooth continuous motion.
Petrissage lifts, wrings, or squeezes soft tissue in kneading motion (also sometimes
referred to as kneading).
Friction is exactly what it sounds like, rubbing one part of the hand or skin on to another.
Friction is generally used to apply heat to muscles or tight bands or underlying fascia.
Tapotement consists of rapid percussive movements in rhythm, such as slapping or
clapping.

Vibration is more of a trembling, vibrating motion that is usually performed quickly.

Vibrations can be used as movement in any direction, and is usually used to stimulate
sensory nerves, or to loosen tightness in muscles.
These techniques are generally used in modern massage therapy modalities such as
Swedish massage, chair massage, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy,
myofascial release therapy, and trigger point therapy.
Application of Massage
When performing most western style massage modalities, ointment or lubricant is
rubbed onto the skin by the practitioner. Depending on therapist training, therapist
preference, or client comfort/allergies; most massage therapist use either; lotion, cream,
oil, or gel. Each lubricant has its ups and downs. Lotions are pretty popular in use, and
are easy to use and consistent. However, speaking from personal experience lotion
tends to dry up quickly and require constant application of more lotion. Creams are
usually soft and aromatic and much more consistent than lotions. However, creams tend
to be too slippery and can leave the client feeling greasy. Oils are a personal favorite of
mine and tend to be consistent. Oils can be blended with other natural oils and
fragrances. However, oil can generate heat especially when using friction or hot stones.
Oil can leave the client feeling hot/sweaty, and greasy. Gels are usually used for pain. A
popular gel that some therapist used is called Bio freeze. Although gels can be
administered to the skin for pain, it lacks the consistent slippery effects of oil or cream.
When purchasing lubricants, it is always advisable to use reputable brands that have
been around for a while. It is also a good idea to use fragrance free lubricants, since
many clients prefer that. Also, it is best to use natural/organic fragrance free lubricants
to help reduce the rate of allergic reactions with clients.
YouTube Table Massage Video (30 minutes)
Table Massage Demonstration (20 minutes)
Benefits of Massage (Indications)
There are many benefits of receiving massages. Depending on the type of massage
received, most massages help to reduce or eliminate neuromuscular pain while helping
to relax the body and mind. Massage therapy also nourishes the skin while stimulating
sensory nerves.
Massages can help treat numerous conditions including; Anxiety and depression, Pain
or Chronic Pain all over most of the body, Repetitive stress injuries, Bad Posture,
Postural Distortions, & Functional Scoliosis, Whiplash, Plantar Fasciitis, Tennis Elbow,
Epicondylitis, Sleeping Disorders, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,

Headaches, Migraine headaches, and Tension Headaches, Temporal-Mandibular Joint

Dysfunction (TMD), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Frozen
Shoulder, Sciatica, Strains & Sprains, Tendonitis, Asthma and other respiratory
disorders, Constipation, and more...

Lesson 3 Lecture
Lesson Summary: This lesson will discuss safety precautions therapist should take
when working with clients experiencing certain medical conditions. Massage
contraindications will be addressed including; pathologies, and health conditions that
should be avoided by therapist. This lesson will also code of ethics, HIPPA standards,
scope of practice, and current massage trends.
Lesson Content:
Pathologies / Contraindications
When conducting massages, there are numerous medical conditions and diseases that
therapist should avoid. After completing a client assessment, in general most clients will
be honest about labeling possible contraindications. However, if a therapist ever has
reason to believe there is a contraindication, s/he should immediately inform the client
of the situation. The therapist can then adjust massaging around the problem area, or in
certain cases, refuse to conduct the massage.
There are 3 different types of contraindications, total, local, and medical. Total
contraindications are conditions that clients should never book a massage when
experiencing them. Local contraindications are conditions that therapist can massage
around, avoiding the affected area/s.
The following are a few total contraindications; Fever, Contagious diseases, including
any cold or flu no matter how mild it may seem, Under the influence of drugs or alcoholincluding prescription pain medication, Recent operations or acute injuries, Neuritis, and
Skin diseases.
The following are a few local contraindications; Varicose veins, Undiagnosed lumps or
bumps, Pregnancy, Bruising, Cuts, Abrasions, Sunburn, Undiagnosed pain,
Inflammation including arthritis, and Medical Contraindications
Medical contraindications require medical approval before receiving a massage
including; Cardio-vascular conditions (thrombosis, phlebitis, hypertension, heart
conditions), Psoriasis or eczema, High blood pressure, Osteoporosis, Cancer, Nervous
or psychotic conditions, Heart problems, angina, those with pacemakers, Epilepsy,
Diabetes, Bells palsy, trapped or pinched nerves, and Gynecological infections.
As you can see, it is crucial that a therapist conducts a thorough client assessment on
the clients first visit, and should also follow up on the assessment periodically. It is also
important that therapists stay and knowledgeable on contraindications and other
medical conditions.

Therapist Safety
All therapists are expected to wash their hands whenever possible. Hands should be
washed before and after massage sessions. Work areas should be kept clean as often
as possible. Table linens should always be changed after each session. Chairs and
tables should be wiped down with a mild cleaning solution (such as 409 cleaning spray).
Code of Ethics, Professional Standards & Scope of Practice
Most of a massage therapists code of ethics revolves around respecting the client and
their personal information, remaining within legal scope of practice, and refraining from
unprofessional behavior. The massage therapy code of ethics is designed to create a
healthy, safe, and protective barrier between client and therapist. A detailed list of
massage therapy code of ethics can be found at the National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), located at
http://www.ncbtmb.org/code-ethics. Massage Licensure vary from state to state and
information can found at the NCBTMB website.
Current Massage Trends
One of the biggest trends about massage today is the shift in the clients mentality. In
the past, most clients believed that massage was conducted for pain management only.
Today, spas are opening everywhere for clients that are seeking relaxation and
stress/tension relief. Many people are traveling to destination spas across the globe in
search of the ideal paradise spa.
For the therapist, massage therapy can be a rewarding career once clientele is
established. In many cases, massage therapist have the luxury of having flexible
schedules, starting their own businesses, or practicing massage therapy just about
anywhere. Although most therapists are employed in spas, therapists have the option of
working in hospital rehab centers, chiropractic offices, plastic surgery offices,
veterinarian hospitals, sports centers and teams, cruise liners, hotels, events, and many
more.
Chair Massage Demonstration (10 minutes)
Final Note
Thank you all for your attendance and participation. I hope you all enjoyed this class
and found it useful for educational or informational purposes. At the back of the class,
there are massage chairs that can be used to practice chair massages.