Deep Tissue/Muscle Stripping Track

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.

Deep Tissue/Trigger Point Track

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.

Reflexology Track

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 Track

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 Track

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.