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East-West Holistic Massage Therapist Program Outline (800 hours)


Program Courses and Descriptions

Our program includes thorough instruction in both Eastern and Western modalities of therapeutic massage, and a rigorous course of study in Western science. You'll also gain crucial real-world knowledge about professional ethics, massage law, and business fundamentals. The program totals 800 hours, or 200 more than the minimum required by the state of Wisconsin for licensure.

 

Eastern Theory & Techniques
(282 hours)

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Massage 3 hours
TuiNa: 50 Basic Techniques 46 hours
Dr. Zhou's Chair Massage Routine 8 hours
East-West Whole Body Integration 4 hours
Introduction to Herbology 3 hours
Acupressure Point Techniques & Uses 46 hours
Acupressure Therapeutic Tool Techniques 9 hours
Theory of Eastern Medicine 56 hours
Exercise for Massage Therapists I-IV 15 hours
Special Eastern Massage Modalities 60 hours
TuiNa & Therapeutic Massage for Medical Conditions 32 hours

 

Western Massage Theory & Techniques
(112 hours)

Western Massage Theory & Techniques I 32 hours
Western Massage Theory & Techniques II 28 hours
Western Massage Theory & Techniques III 32 hours
Western Massage Theory & Techniques IV 16 hours
Clinic Preparation 4 hours
 

 


Western Science
(176 hours)

Musculoskeletal Anatomy 32 hours
Anatomy and Physiology 52 hours
Clinical Anatomy 12 hours
Clinical Pathology 40 hours
Kinesiology & Body Structure Assessment 40 hours



Hands-On Coursework
(160 hours)

Student Clinic 96 hours
Community Service 32 hours
Documented Independent Massage 32 hours



Additional Massage Professional Courses
(70 hours)

Orientation 4 hours
Massage Professional Ethics 14 hours
Business Fundamentals/Massage Regulations & Laws 38 hours
CPR & First Aid (required) 8 hours
National Exam Preparation 6 hours



Advanced Holistic Massage Therapist Program Outline
(900 hours)

Holistic Medicine Research Paper (optional) 20 hours
East-West Holistic Massage Therapist Programs 800 hours
China Hospital & Clinic Internship 80 hours

East-West Holistic Massage Therapist Courses & Descriptions (800 hours)

 

Eastern Massage Theory and Techniques

Total: 282 clock hours

Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine

(3 clock hours)

Learn about the basis of acupressure, which has been called "acupuncture without needles," and the rich history of Traditional Chinese Massage. Discover how Traditional Chinese Massage encompasses acupressure, as well as acupuncture and other Asian healing arts. The class covers the relevance of these traditional modalities to a modern holistic perspective and a Western scientific understanding.

TuiNa: 50 Basic Techniques

(46 clock hours)

TuiNa is a highly sophisticated form of therapeutic massage, developed over thousands of years in China as an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This vigorous massage modality includes many different hand techniques that are applied to various areas of the body and specific points of the meridians. This class covers more than 50 TuiNa techniques such as pressing, rubbing, pushing, grasping, kneading, rolling, rotating, and stretching.

Dr. Zhou's Chair Massage Routine

(8 clock hours)

An East-West Healing Arts Institute specialty! This dynamic, energizing routine is a favorite of many students and massage recipients. Perfect for brief (clothes-on) sessions at public venues.

East-West Whole Body Integration

(4 clock hours)

Learn how to create an integrated East-West massage that combines the techniques taught in your Eastern and Western hands-on classes. This class delivers the core of East-West Healing Arts Institute's special integrative approach.

Introduction to Herbology

(3 clock hours)

An overview of Chinese herbal medicine as it fits into the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Acupressure Point Techniques and Uses

(46 clock hours)
Learn the location, energetic aspects, indications, and regional anatomy of major acupressure points. Fellow students will precisely locate acupressure points on one another, according to anatomical musculoskeletal terminology. This course will cover the major indications and uses of commonly used points. Students will also learn how to stimulate points by using various acupressure techniques.

Acupressure Therapeutic Tool Techniques

(9 clock hours)

Through lecture, demonstrations, and practice, learn several noninvasive traditional acupressure accessory techniques. These include moxibustion (the burning of herbs), GuaSha (a gentle scraping tool), cupping, pellets, auricular techniques, and Chinese herbal liniments. Learn to use these modalities to complement your healing routine while giving your hands and wrists a break from intensive hands-on work.

Theory of Eastern Medicine

(56 clock hours)

This class is an introduction to the theoretical and philosophical concepts of Oriental medicine. Learn about Qi, Yin & Yang, the five phases, the eight principles, and the triple burner theory. Additional study and detailed discussion is given to organ physiology in Chinese medicine. The class discusses the internal and external causes of disease within the Eastern medical model. It covers numerous theories including the six external pernicious influences, the seven emotions, diet theory, the eight principle patterns of disharmony, cold induced disorders, and warm disease theory.

Exercise for Massage Therapists I-IV

(16 clock hours)

Learn the basics of Asian movement forms such as TaiChi, QiGong, and Yoga. Learn how to increase your own body awareness, integrate body, mind, and spirit, and continually refresh your inner sources of energy, to help you perform the physically challenging work of a therapeutic massage professional. Add an extra dimension to bodywork by becoming more sensitive to the client, for deeper levels of relaxation.

Special Eastern Massage Modalities

(60 clock hours)

Learn a wide variety of modalities like Shiatsu (literally "finger pressure" in Japanese), Jin Shin Do (a synthesis of ancient Chinese medicine theories, traditional Eastern acupressure techniques, Taoist exercises and Western psychotherapeutic techniques), hand and foot reflexology, hot stone therapy, and Thai massage (in which you will learn to use your whole body to apply acupressure and muscle stretches). These classes will show a variety of ways to apply pressure to the meridians. Added emphasis is given to specific point combinations, techniques for problems in different parts of the body, and further development of sensitivity to energy balancing.

TuiNa & Therapeutic Massage for Medical Conditions

(32 clock hours)

Review Western pathologies, Eastern medical theory, and TuiNa techniques. Learn medical massage that focuses on the use of multiple TuiNa techniques as a complementary method to help various medical conditions such as headache, back pain, fibromyalgia and depression.

 


Western Massage Theory and Techniques

Total: 112 clock hours

Western Massage Theory and Techniques I

(32 clock hours)

Begin the term with an introduction to the history of massage and an exploration of professional touch. Classes consist of demonstration and discussion of good body mechanics while you learn and practice basic Swedish strokes. Indication and contraindications are discussed in depth and all aspects of professional bodywork are covered.

Western Massage Theory and Techniques II

(28 clock hours)

Continue with demonstration, discussion and practical application of basic massage practices and begin to broaden your knowledge base with assessment skills and charting. Structural assessment teaches posture and gait analysis. Receive intensive hands-on instruction in muscle palpation, including identification of muscle origin and insertion points. Specific work is covered for specific pain patterns, referred pain, and deeper work with Deep Tissue Massage. Special populations are discussed and all aspects of hygiene, sanitation and safety are covered. Conclude this term fully prepared to begin work in a supervised clinical setting.

Western Massage Theory and Techniques III

(32 clock hours)

Continue deep tissue work and explore many modalities such as CranioSacral therapy, pregnancy massage, hydrotherapy, polarity therapy, spa therapy, aromatherapy and essential oils, and muscle energy techniques. Clinical sessions are discussed and students are given the opportunity to learn techniques specific to their client needs.

Western Massage Theory and Techniques IV

(16 clock hours)

Continue learning more advanced practices in tissue release work as well as how to combine modalities for total client care. Soft tissue approaches and sports massage classes introduce more advanced work.

Clinical Preparation

(4 clock hours)

Continue learning more advanced practices in tissue release work as well as how to combine modalities for total client care. Soft tissue approaches and sports massage classes introduce more advanced work.

 


Western Science

Total: 176 clock hours

Musculoskeletal Anatomy

(32 clock hours)

Lecture, discussion, demonstration, and identification of the components of the human musculoskeletal system. Study medical terms pertaining to the body as a whole and receive an overview of neuroanatomy and the musculoskeletal anatomy of the body. Learn how these relate to the practice of massage therapy.

Anatomy and Physiology

(52 clock hours)

Lecture, discussion, demonstration, and identification of the components of the organ systems that make up the human body. Learn medical terms and study anatomy and physiology pertaining to individual organ systems and to the human body as a whole. Study systems such as circulatory, lymphatic, and reproductive.

Clinical Anatomy

(12 clock hours)

Overview of anatomy as it pertains to clinical practice.

Pathology/Clinical Pathology

(40 clock hours)

This course addresses common disorders with which a massage therapist may come in contact. Learn signs and symptoms of many conditions. This class helps you assess whether or not massage is appropriate for your client. Universal precautions will be discussed.

Kinesiology and Body Structure Assessment

(40 clock hours)

Gain a basic understanding of how the body works in a musculoskeletal movement pattern, including planes of motions, postures, normal and abnormal positions, movement patterns, and movement through each joint. Also learn about the neuromuscular basis of movement.


Hands-On Course Work

Total: 160 clock hours

Student Clinic

(96 clock hours)

Perform therapeutic and relaxation massage on clients under supervision. Implement the theory and techniques of Western and Eastern massage in a professional setting. This experience will help students develop self confidence, professionalism and expertise.

Community Practice

(32 clock hours)

Students will perform massage within the local community and at special events with supervision. This practical experience has proven to be successful in helping students to further develop their skills in communicating with the public and at the same time is a benefit to our community.

Documented Independent Massage

(32 clock hours)

Students must document 32 hours of massage treatments on a minimum of 16 clients. The accumulation of these hours will begin in the first term and must be completed by the third term.


Additional Massage Professional Courses

Total: 70 clock hours

Orientation

(4 clock hours)

Fundamental information and practical advice regarding your learning journey at East-West Healing Arts Institute.

Massage Professional Ethics

(12 clock hours)

Explore the importance of professional boundaries and the complexities of ethical considerations in the hands-on healing service professions. Learn to establish a robust, appropriate framework for therapist-client relationships. This course fulfills state requirements for massage therapists in Wisconsin.

Business Fundamentals/Massage Regulations and Laws

(38 clock hours)

Focus on the importance of sound business and professional image. Legal aspects of clinical practice will be considered along with current regulations and state laws. Marketing, advertising, business plans, risk management, job seeking, and how to start a new practice will all be covered. This course fulfills state requirements for massage therapists in Wisconsin.

CPR/First Aid (required)

(8 clock hours)

Earn the required current certificate of completion of Adult CPR and Standard First Aid. You may be exempted from this course by presenting a current CPR/First Aid card. You must pay an additional fee for this class.

National Exam Preparation

(4 clock hours)

Review and study in preparation to take the National Certification Examination.

 


Advanced Courses - Optional Program

China Hospital and Clinic Internship

(80 hours - optional)

Practice TuiNa Chinese medical massage techniques at a hospital in the People's Republic of China. Enhance your abilities and gain clinical experience by performing massage treatments under the supervision of Chinese doctors who speak fluent English. This internship typically lasts about three weeks.

Research Paper in Holistic Medicine

(20 clock hours - optional)

A guided research project in exploring holistic healing in the Eastern and Western traditions. The project will show competence in areas less explored in class. Minimum of three months required for completion. The project will focus attention on the realities of contemporary holistic health practices now available in the United States. Must be completed prior to graduation.

East-West Healing Arts Institute

6425 Normandy Lane
Madison, WI 53719

608-240-1600

info@acupressureschool.com