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To Contact Us:
Mountain State School Of Massage 601 50th Street Charleston,
WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-8822 Fax: (304) 926-8837
Email:
admissions@mtnstmassage.com
faid@mtstmassage.com
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Bodywork
Massage classes follow a general format of lecture, demonstration, and paired
practice. Emphasis is placed on integration of all techniques into an eclectic
therapeutic format wherein the student is prepared to draw from a variety of
tools in order to meet each client’s individual needs. During each modality, you
will learn to apply touch therapeutically using massage skills and techniques,
and the qualities of touch and present centered awareness required to create a
safe and nurturing environment for your clients.
Deep Tissue Therapy (DTT): focuses on lengthening the fascial component of
chronically shortened muscles, allowing the muscles to return to a relaxed
state. Releasing deep layers of tension requires keen sensitivity to both the
physical and the emotional nature of soft tissue distress. This class creates a
safe, structured environment in which students develop their intuitive sense,
detect areas in need of release, learn specific techniques designed to respond
to various tissue conditions, and distinguish changes in the quality and texture
of the deeper layers of musculature.
Integrative Massage: classes are designed to integrate health care and bodywork
terminology in communicating and documenting treatment findings and therapeutic
results. The student will be introduced to the definition of the acronym “SOAP,”
the importance of documentation and practice the procedure of documenting a
massage session in a clinical environment.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT):
is closely related to oriental acupressure.
Developed in China and practiced in Europe during the late nineteenth century,
NMT uses the body’s own natural internal mechanism against pain. Pressure
applied to specific trigger points in the muscles allows chronically contracted
muscles to relax. This section of the program deals with understanding trigger
points, which are characterized by lumps or knots in the deep connective tissue
of muscles and how they respond to touch. You will learn how to work with
clients who suffer from debilitating chronic pain, people who are recovering
from sports and work-related injuries and common conditions such as headaches,
carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain.
Swedish Massage: is a general, flowing technique designed to move blood and
lymph and to relieve aching muscles while increasing relaxation and a sense of
overall wellbeing. Body mechanics, hand-care, present-centered awareness and
trust are skills introduced during Swedish Massage and continued throughout the
program. You will learn massage theory, benefits and contraindications as well
as the classic Swedish massage strokes. This course enables the student to
develop his/ her own unique approach to bodywork, combining classic Swedish
strokes and proper body mechanics to give a full-body therapeutic massage
session.
Hydrotherapy: is the scientific application of water to the body for therapeutic
purposes. The Hydrotherapy course is designed to allow the student to personally
experience the effects of Hydrotherapy treatments and begin to understand the
benefits of simple, natural, ancient practices of relaxation and the healing
properties of our most abundant resource: water. Students learn about the
therapeutic applications of heat and cold, balneology, showers and scrubs,
contrast applications and other hydro-therapeutic techniques.
Seated Chair Massage: is gaining attention for use in the office place as a
method to relieve stress and increase employee productivity. You will learn to
do seated massage with the client clothed and seated, using a massage chair
designed for on-site work. This modality utilizes a 15-minute Japanese
acupressure sequence to relax and rejuvenate the system. The sequence primarily
covers neck, shoulder, arm and hand massage.
Esoteric Anatomy and Bodywork
During these unique courses students are introduced to a
variety of bodywork modalities to better inform their continuing education
choices. Information on esoteric anatomy and bodywork, such as Meridian and
Chakra Theory, offer the student a balanced knowledge base for taking the
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Exam.
Aromatherapy:
The Aromatherapy course is designed to allow
the student to personally experience the effects of Aromatherapy treatments and
begin to understand the benefits of simple, natural, ancient practices of
relaxation and the healing properties of Essential Oils. The history of the use
of aromatic plants will be discussed; as well as indications and
contraindications for Aromatherapy, selecting therapeutic grade oils, and the
impacts of aromatherapy on the body.
Chakra Theory:
The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel or disk. The chakras are seven basic
energy centers in the body. Each of these centers correlates to major nerve
ganglia originating from the spinal column. The relationship of the chakras to
levels of consciousness, archetypal elements, developmental stages of life,
colors, sounds, body functions, and more will be discussed. This course will
provide you with essential information for taking the National Certification
Examination for Therapeutic Massage.
Introduction to CranioSacral Therapy
(CST): CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating
and enhancing the functioning of the craniosacral system - the membranes and
cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
CranioSacral Therapy was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John
E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies at Michigan State University.
Using a soft touch, students learn to release restrictions in the craniosacral
system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system allowing it to
better relieve stress and strengthen resistance to disease.
Meridian Theory:
Learn to identify the types of meridians and how they act as a medium for
adaptation to all environmental changes. This course will provide you with
essential information for taking the National Certification Examination for
Therapeutic Massage.
Nutrition:
Learn how nutrition can maximize the body’s potential for health and well-being.
Polarity Therapy:
based on principles drawn from Chiropractic and Osteopathic medicine, as well as
the healing arts of China and India. This unique modality addresses the concept
and experience of life energy as it manifests at physical, emotional and mental
levels. Both light and deep physical contact are utilized with the intention of
drawing the client’s awareness to the patterns of life energy that form the
mind-body continuum.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular
Facilitation (PNF): is a modality which combines
muscle contraction and relaxation with passive and partner-assisted stretching
resulting in improved range of motion in the skeletal joints. Students will
learn specific PNF stretches and experience that the maximal range of motion
(ROM) of a joint and the tension developed within the muscle at its maximal ROM
are directly related. PNF works on the premise that improvements in ROM are due
to greater tolerances to stretching rather than to structural changes in
musculature. In other words, pain receptors and stretch-reflex nervous pathways
in the joint and muscle become less responsive at the maximal ROM so that
individuals feel less pain during PNF and are able to stretch their muscles
further than they can with conventional stretching.
Sports Massage:
integrates Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, stretching, flexibility
guidelines and other techniques appropriate for working with athletes. This
course is a basic overview of the techniques that are available to massage
therapists who are working with athletes including: sports massage therapy
principles, appropriate massage applications, contraindications to massage as
well as recognizing when an appropriate referral is necessary.
Massage Practicum and Student Clinic
The Mountain State School of Massage Student Clinic, located
at the school, provides over 1,700 massage and bodywork sessions to the
surrounding community each year. The Clinic has 5 private treatment rooms, each
equipped with comfortable massage tables, soft lighting, and relaxing music
designed to maximize the client's rejuvenating experience. The MSSM Student
Clinic offers convenient parking and is handicap accessible.
The Mountain State School of Massage Student Clinic provides massage to clients
from the general public at a reduced fee, which covers clinic costs. Clinic
clients receive treatment sessions from students advanced in the curriculum who
are under the supervision of highly skilled and experienced professional
instructors. The Student Clinic Director is available at all times during clinic
hours and occasionally enters the massage rooms to observe student work. This
provides the student with a practice environment that fosters a smooth
transition into professional massage practice and gives student practitioners an
opportunity to assist clients in learning appropriate self-care techniques.
Clinic clients play a central role in the education of the MSSM student. Clients
visit the student clinic with a wide range of health issues and stress-related
concerns, just like the variety of clients you will see after graduation when
working for yourself.
The Mountain State School of Massage Student Clinic offers students a unique
learning experience. Students are required to complete 50 massages in the
Student Clinic, affording the student the opportunity to both give and receive
feedback. Two sessions must be scheduled with instructors or licensed,
nationally certified Mountain State School of Massage graduates (for a fee set
by the individual massage therapist). During this important practical
experience, you will learn and practice telephone skills, intake and assessment,
record keeping, session planning, time management, fee collection and how to
work with people who are new to you.
Mountain State School of Massage deeply appreciates the referrals,
participation, and support of our loyal clients.
Human Sciences
Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology and Pathology
This is a systematic Anatomy and Physiology course that seeks to establish a
thorough working knowledge of the systems of the human body through practical
and didactic experience. Course material includes a study of the development of
tissues from a cellular level to organ systems, with special emphasis on the
relationships between muscle, nervous and connective tissues. Clinical pathology
and recognition of various conditions as they relate to the practice of massage
therapy are addressed throughout the program. Emphasis is also given to the
physiology of emotional experience and the role of belief systems in the
maintenance of chronic tension. A variety of innovative teaching tools are
employed, including visualization, prepared course notes and non-competitive
testing, to provide immediate feedback and to facilitate understanding.
Professional Development
Awareness Skills
A variety of classes are offered to develop verbal skills enabling students to
be available to their clients as present-centered, non-judgmental human beings
able to display unconditional positive regard without administering advice.
Classes in group dynamics and personal awareness range from group play to the
use of personal journals, art, sound, stillness and silence.
Successful Business Practices and Research
Methodology
The business course introduces the student to
professional standards, ethics, and laws that pertain to massage therapists.
Scope of practice, employment strategies, record keeping and taxes, marketing,
developing and maintaining a client base, business plan formulation and resume
writing are just some of the topics introduced during this class.
Introduction to Oriental Bodywork Theory:
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) incorporates the ancient Five Element Theory,
the relationship between Eastern and Western massage, and the connection between
chi and the physical body. This class provides a sound foundation for students
wishing to pursue their training in Shiatsu and other forms of Eastern massage
following graduation. |
