| Total Massage Therapist Program Hours |
552 |
SBBTI’s Muscle Stripping and PNF Track prepares bodyworkers
to address chronic myofascial pain syndromes and postural
misalignments through a variety of techniques and exercises.
The Track combines precision in muscle palpation, location
and corrective measures using direct pressure and assisted
stretching.
Deep Tissue/Muscle Stripping and PNF
(60hrs) Integrates the fundamentals of myofascial therapy,
muscle stripping, compression and proprioceptive neuromuscular
facilitation and stretching. Myofascial therapy involves direct
pressure to hypersensitive areas in the muscle, skin, fascia,
tendons, periosteum and joint capsules. Muscle stripping involves
slow, deep, gliding pressure to the fascia along the muscle
fibers. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) involves
assisted passive, active and resistive stretches of muscles
to utilize reciprocal inhibition. Muscle stripping is effective
for improving postural alignment; increasing range of motion;
breaking up adhesions caused by micro-scarring, injury or
surgery; activating connective tissue regeneration; and addressing
myofascial pain. The work is applicable to a variety of myofascial
pain syndromes including headaches, sciatic pain, thoracic
outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tendonosis,
muscle strains, piriformis syndrome, TMJ syndrome, lower back
pain, and frozen shoulder. The module includes both classroom
and clinic hours.
SBBTI’s Trigger Point Track prepares therapists for
precision work on area-specific complaints and injuries. The
Track includes an overview of how muscles work and four distinctly
different approaches to Deep Tissue Therapy: trigger point
therapy, cross fiber friction, CRAC stretches and barefoot
compression.
Deep Tissue/Trigger Point (60hrs)
Covers how to treat trigger points and injuries. Trigger points
are areas of hyperirritability within soft tissue that develops
when a muscle is injured or overworked. Trigger points caused
by trauma create changes in the chemical balance in the tissue,
irritating the sensory systems. Trigger points are characterized
by local tenderness and referred phenomena, which can include,
pain, tingling, numbness, burning or itching. Therapists learn
direct pressure techniques with fingers, thumbs and tools
to assess and alleviate trigger points, as well as cross fiber
friction techniques for breaking up scar tissue, releasing
adhesions and speeding tissue repair. The work is applicable
to a variety of syndromes including: dizziness, earaches,
nausea, numbness in hands and feet, headaches, neck and jaw
pain, low back pain, hamstring pulls, tendonosis, tennis elbow,
carpal tunnel syndrome and assorted myofascial pain syndromes.
The module includes both classroom and clinic.
Palpatory Anatomy/Muscle Physiology
(20 hrs) Students learn to palpate and locate the major
bony landmarks, muscles, ligaments and their attachment sites
on the body, utilized in the Deep Tissue Trigger Point course.
Offers an in-depth presentation of how muscles and related
body systems function. Using Job’s Body as the text,
an assortment of topics will be covered, including: chemistry
of the body, metabolism of muscle, contraction and relaxation
cycle, neuromuscular coordination, golgi tendon organs, as
well as engrams and neurotransmitters of the autonomic nervous
system.
Nutrition (20 hrs) Presents
the physiology of the viscera, and how bodywork and nutrition
can greatly improve visceral function and overall vitality.
An overview of whole food healing diets including eating right
for your blood type, food combining, and acid. alkaline foods,
yin and yang foods and microcluster alkaline water. Students
learn to discern acid /alkaline imbalances and food allergens
as well as the best healing food choices and supplements.
Reflexology/Aromatherapy (60hrs)
Covers the reiterative, zonal and referral Reflexology maps
of the feet and hands as well as related acupressure points.
The course addresses how to clear blockages in the ten zonal
currents, clear metabolic waste that get laid down in the
tissues of the feet and hands and reestablish nerve impulses
to related vital organs and glands. Students learn a variety
of techniques to affect a healing response working distally
from an area in need via direct pressure on the feet and hands.
Protocols offered specific to each body system and common
pathology profiles. Students learn to integrate the use of
essential oils into their Reflexology work. Students are exposed
to a variety of singles and blends and are given techniques
in making client specific choices and applications. The module
includes classroom and clinic.
Shiatsu/Muscle Testing (80 hrs- elective)
Integrates a full body Shiatsu protocol with the specific
assessment and corrective techniques of Muscle Testing. Shiatsu
employs thumb, finger and palm pressure as well as stretches
and articulations along the meridian pathways. Muscle Testing
offers precise assessment and balancing tools for addressing
weaknesses and pain patterns within the interdependent systems
of the muscles, organs and meridians. The approach addresses
causative factors for muscle/organ imbalances including diet,
thought, emotion and activity. Students learn a powerful clothed
table session integrating acupressure, muscle testing, neurolymphatic
and neurovascular balances that systematically tonifies the
functions of the organs, balances the meridians and relieves
chronic musculoskeletal pain. Students learn to assess and
treat a variety of common pathology syndromes. The module
includes both classroom and clinic hours.
Ethics (8 hrs) clarifies interpersonal
issues surrounding the practice of professional massage. Issues
surrounding sex, money, power and spiritual longing will be
explored, within the context of the massage practice. Students
learn to define their own personal ethics while understanding
industry standards. |