The course will cover the history and theory of Swedish Massage. This course will introduce massage, focusing on developing body mechanics, client draping, position, and communication. The Swedish massage movements of Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, vibration, and tapotement are introduced in this course. Students will be beginning hands-on practice on classmates supervised by the instructor. This hands-on practice will continue through the rest of MAS courses.

Students will continue to experience giving and receiving massages that will provide a path for future study—emphasizing developing sensitivity, awareness, intuition, and other skills needed for palpation. This course includes the range of motions for the upper and lower torso; deep tissue techniques using muscle stripping, cross-fiber, position release, and other bodywork. Students will learn to assess each body area's soft tissues, study the conditions, effects on the body, and practice various methods of documenting their results.

The deep tissue techniques will be built upon from the previous courses with myofascial and neuromuscular modalities. In this course, students will learn to perform effective neuromuscular therapy treatments. Gathering information and interviewing clients and doing postural evaluations will be part of the process. Students will review and study various manual therapy techniques that will allow them to release active trigger points and improve soft tissues condition effectively. The methods cover trigger points, myofascial release, muscle energy techniques, and passive positioning. Many soft tissue conditions will be studied, and their effects on the body will be evaluated. Students will learn to assess each body area's soft tissue and will also practice various methods of documenting their results.

Various massage modalities are introduced in this course. Hands-on practice will continue to help enhance students’ path for study. Discussion, demonstration, and hands-on practice on massage modalities for special populations, athletic/sports massage, prenatal, lymph massage, aromatherapy, and reflexology. Aromatherapy theory, safety precautions, and hands-on practice will be part of this course. This class is designed to help the student deepen the theoretical understanding and application of massage techniques in various situations and client populations. Massage therapy for special populations is covered, such as prenatal massage, techniques for geriatric and clients with physical disabilities, good body mechanics, communication skills, and self-care techniques are also reinforced.

The clinic assists students in building stamina and discipline necessary to succeed in the bodywork industry. While perfecting custom bodywork sessions, students gain experience in completing consecutive sessions during each clinic shift. Students gain confidence in assessing client needs through analysis, research, and visual/postural/palpatory assessment. Students evolve their massage skills while providing exceptional client care in their experiences with the public clientele. Students learn and practice how to educate clients about massage therapy and its benefits properly. Supervised massages are completed in the student clinic and during after-school tutoring sessions. Students also have a massage practical where feedback is provided from the instructor.

This course will fascinate the students as they gain a comprehensive understanding of the human body. Students are introduced to the basic structure and function of all the body systems. Students will understand how massage therapy affects each of the 11 body systems (Circulatory, Digestive, Endocrine, Integumentary, Immune, Muscular, Skeletal, Nervous, Reproductive, Renal and Respiratory); they will learn how massage can benefit the body and contribute to holistic wellness. Students will learn about basic pathologies that affect the human body and understand when and why massage techniques should not be used and massage considerations for each pathology. Universal precautions that protect both the therapist and client will be detailed. Special attention is given to musculoskeletal pathologies and their therapeutic treatments.

This course will introduce clients to the bones and muscles of the five major regions of the body. Students will learn all the major bones and the boy landmarks that form muscular attachments. Joint structure and function are introduced as well as learning the primary joints. They will learn the major muscles and muscle systems, muscular attachments, actions, and fiber direction. Students will gain the skills to locate and palpate the muscles in the body. Musculoskeletal pathologies will be reviewed a second time in this course and their therapeutic treatment

This course provides comprehensive instruction that includes goal setting, resume writing, professional relationships, spa/clinic ownership, operations, and retail sales requirements that give the massage therapy student tools to succeed.

Students are introduced to some ethical issues regarding sexual boundaries and ethical conduct in the therapeutic relationship.

Living with AIDS discussions includes defining and understanding AIDS and HIV, understanding the pathogenesis and epidemiology of AIDS, exposure, control of spread, prevention of exposure, current treatments, and behavior and attitude changes surrounding HIV.

The Theory of therapeutic applications of heat and cold, saunas, whirlpools, and other therapeutic tools and procedures are discussed and practiced. Hands-on practice with ice cup massage, icepacks, ice plunge activities for self-care, hot stone massage, and use of hot packs will be used. These hands-on activities will enforce the benefits of hydrotherapy as therapeutic aids and how different water temperatures affect the body. Contraindications, safety rules, time limits, and safety precautions will be covered in detail. Also covered are the uses, effects, and chemical ingredients of powders, oils, and other products used in the practice of massage therapy and the hygienic principles followed in the use of such treatments used in the spa setting such as body wraps and scrubs.

This class time intends to stimulate thought and discussion regarding information and procedures to help massage therapists prevent medical errors. Students will learn root cause analysis, error reduction, prevention, and patient safety to avoid and analyze medical errors in this course. (Per Florida Statue 456.013) Discussion throughout the program will include communication skills, workplace safety, documentation, and medical contraindications for massage.

In this course, the students will learn Florida’s Licensing requirements and laws. They will review Florida statutes: Chapter 480, Chapter 456, (Florida Statutes Massage Practice Act), and Chapter 64B7 (Rule Florida Admin Code), and initial licensing requirements, establishment requirements, renewal fees and requirements, and all rules applicable to Florida Massage therapist.