Program Component Details

Core 1 (1.5 sessions)

Massage 1 Foundations of Touch (48 hours), History of Massage (18 hours), Clinic orientation (8 hours) Modality (24 hours) Practical exploration of touch; lecture and practice in the fundamental concepts of touch therapies including the use of touch to assess, calm, and invigorate. Also stresses correct body mechanics for massage therapist health and longevity.

Seated Massage (8 hours)  Explanation, demonstration and practice in seated massage basics including set up, adjustment, use, care, maintenance and packing equipment.

Universal Precautions (4 hours)

Anatomy and Physiology Osteology and Myology and Pathology (48 hours)  Beginning anatomy and physiology including chemistry of the body, cells, connective tissue, and the integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems.

Business 1 (24 hours)  Clinical Charting (12 hours) Lecture and practice in the fundamentals of clinical charting including writing SOAP notes, client interviewing, and assessment skills for a successful massage therapy practice. Communication: (12 hours): Lecture, discussion and practice in communication fundamentals and setting business and life goals.

Ancillary (10 hours) Outreach (4 hours)  Tutorial 1 (2 hours) Students are required to give a massage/bodywork treatment to an instructor and receive constructive feedback to assist in the refinement of skills.

Professional Massage Experience 1 (2 hours) Students are required to receive a massage or bodywork session from a licensed massage therapist and complete a report on the experience.   

Total hours: 200

Core 2 (1.5 sessions)

Massage 2 Modality (72 hours)  Explanation, demonstration and practice in deep tissue techniques, integrating an introduction to the energy meridians, including definitions and history, theory and affects, contraindications, principles of techniques, and assessment and treatment using deep tissue and trigger point techniques. Correct body mechanics will be stressed.

Clinic (18 hours)  Supervised practice of acquired techniques on the public including intake, assessment, treatment, and charting. Includes 6 hours of Community Outreach.

Business 2 (24 hours):  Ethics and Massage Law, TouchStonesPractice management fundamentals including basic bookkeeping, legal structures, taxes, licenses, permits, insurance needs, development of practice policies and procedures, and insurance billing. Discussion style exploration of professional ethics for the Massage Therapist. Discussion and quizzes covering Missouri Law as it pertains to Massage Therapy Licensure and Practice, and Massage Therapy Businesses.

Anatomy and Physiology Osteology and Myology and Pathology (48 hours) Beginning anatomy and physiology including chemistry of the body, cells, connective tissue, and the integumentary, skeletal and muscular systems. Inlcudes Universal Precautions.

Electives (26 hours) Hands-on massage modality electives. Massage Theory and practice.

Ancillary (10 hours) Outreach (8 hours)  Tutorial 3 (2 hours) Students are required to give a massage/bodywork treatment to an instructor and receive constructive feedback to assist in the refinement of skills.

Professional Massage Experience 2 (2 hours) Students are required to receive a massage or bodywork session from a licensed massage therapist and complete a report on the experience.

Total hours: 200 hours

Core 3

Massage 3 (48 hours)   Lecture and practice in the principles of Swedish Massage including definition and history, theory and affects, contraindications, principles of techniques and practice using effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement. Includes techniques for stretching as well as treatment of specific complaints.

Clinic (36 hours)  Supervised practice of acquired techniques on the public including intake, assessment, treatment, and charting. Includes 3 hours of Community Outreach.

Anatomy and Physiology 3 Kinesiology (48 hours): Pathology 3  Pathology of body systems covered in Anatomy and Physiology 2 class including Urinary, Reproductive, and Endocrine systems.

Business 3 (24 hours) Practice Management and Financial Planning (16 hours)  Lecture and practical application in fee setting, creating a management plan and policies for a business.

Electives (32 hours) Hands-on massage modality electives. Massage Theory and practice.

Ancillary (10 hours) Outreach (8 hours) Tutorial 3 (2 hours) Students are required to give a massage/bodywork treatment to an instructor and receive constructive feedback to assist in the refinement of skills.

Professional Massage Experience 3 (2 hours)  Students are required to receive a massage or bodywork session from a licensed massage therapist and complete a report on the experience.

Total hours: 200 hours

Core 4

Massage 4 (64 hours)  Lecture, demonstration and practice of a variety of myofascial treatment techniques with a somatic emphasis, including definition and history, theory and affects, contraindications, anatomy of the fascia system, principles of techniques, and the assessment and treatment of fascial restrictions using myofascial mobilization and release techniques. Passive Range of Motion, trigger points and pain patterns will be included. Special Populations: Massage for the Elderly/Disabled Treatment of special populations including prenatal massage, massage for the elderly, and other special applications such as working with other-abled populations (physically challenged, visually impaired, etc.). Special Populations: Pre-natal massage Treatment of special populations including prenatal massage, massage for the elderly, and other special applications such as working with other-abled populations (physically challenged, visually impaired, etc.).

Clinic (32 hours)  Supervised practice of acquired techniques on the public including intake, assessment, treatment, and charting.

Business 4 (24 hours) developing a marketing plan, and utilizing marketing tools including promotional activities, advertising, publicity and public relation.

Anatomy and Physiology 4 (24 hours) Pathology 4  Pathology of body systems covered in Anatomy and Physiology 2 class including Urinary, Reproductive, and Endocrine systems.

Electives (24 hours) Hands-on massage modality electives. Massage Theory and practice.

CPR, First Aid and Universal Precautions (4 hours)  Certification in CPR and First Aid, and instruction in Universal Precautions.

Exam Prep (24 hours) Study and practice exams for the MBLEX, the licensing exam from the FSMTB to obtain licenseure in MO.

Tutorial 4 (2 hours)  Students are required to give a massage/bodywork treatment to an instructor and receive constructive feedback to assist in the refinement of skills.

Professional Massage Experience 4 (2 hours)  Students are required to receive a massage or bodywork session from a licensed massage therapist and complete a report on the experience.

Total hours: 200 hours

Total cumulative 800 hours

Core 5 Intensive   Intensive Study 200 hours

100 hours electives/internship/Intensive study

Business 5 (24 hours)

AP Lab 4 (24 hours)

Exam Prep (24 hours)

Clinic (18 hours)

Ancilliary (10 hours):  Outreach (6 hours) Tutorial 5 (2 hours) Students are required to give a massage/bodywork treatment to an instructor and receive constructive feedback to assist in the refinement of skills.

Professional Massage Experience 5 (2 hours) Students are required to receive a massage or bodywork session from a licensed massage therapist and complete a report on the experience.

MTE 1000 hour program Advanced