Swedish Practitioner - certificate
Learning relaxation and deep tissue massage strategies and techniques
Day section starts each Fall. This 'Fast Track' certificate can be completed in six months.
Evening section starts each Spring. Convenient evening hours, can be completed in nine months.
Swedish massage is the most common form of massage therapy practiced in the United States, and is often taught as
the basis for other forms of body work.
Clover Park Technical Colleges' Swedish Practitioner certificate is designed to provide our students a very solid and extensive
foundation in Swedish massage, preparing the learner to practice relaxation and deep tissue massage.
The knowledge and skills learned and practiced here prepare the student for work in relaxation massage venues such as spas, cruise ships,
or private practice.
Graduates of
the Swedish certificate not only meet, but exceed the State of Washington's hours requirement for Licensed Massage Practitioners (LMP).
Upon completion, the successful student can sit for the massage certification exam, and apply for licensure in Washington State.
Those student interested in enrolling in the Clinical Massage Practitioner part of our
program must either successfully complete the Swedish Practitioner certificate, have completed a comparable program, or already be
a LMP in Washington State. In Clinical massage, the focus shifts to injury assessment and treatment - or utilizing massage as part
of a Complimentary Alternative Medicine (CAM) team.
The State of Washington requires that the educational requirements for those seeking licensure be a minimum of
500 hours of study, and be completed in no less than 6 months.
Clover Park's Swedish certificate is comprised of over 600 hours of instruction. We have structured two different sections to
meet the differing needs of our learners. Students enrolled in the day section will attend classes from 8:30am to 3:00pm, and be able to
complete this certificate in just over two terms, or 6 months. Students enrolled in the evening section will attend classes from
5:30pm to 9:45pm, and be able to complete this certificate in three terms, or 9 months.
What you can expect:
Swedish Massage Theory and Practice covers all of the strokes that make up the Swedish form of massage.
This is the part of the course that most people think about when imagining what massage school would be like.
During Swedish Massage Theory, we discuss the history, application, and effects of different massage strokes. We talk about the power and
ethics of touch, and how it can be utilized as a healing modality. Swedish Massage Practice is the 'lab' portion in which we practice
both giving and receiving massages under the supervision of an instructor. Masssage is so much more than simply the application
of stokes. All aspects are discussed and practiced, including proper table and body mechanics to promote the safety of the
practitioner, sanitation and hygeine to protect both ourselves and our clients, verbage and touch to promote professionalism in
the industry. Massage is safe, therapeutic, non-sexual and non-judgemental touch. Professionalism and compassion is not only
encouraged, but expected.
Complementary Massage Modalities I and II Introduce different styles and techniques that can be integrated in to a massage or
massage practice. We explore and practice such modalities as: Hydrotherapy (including hot stone massage), sports massage,
pregnancy massage, fascial techniques, accupressure and side-lying.
Deep Tissue Massage Theory and Practice covers the practice of deep tissue massage. Deep tissue work is the foundation
of most clinic treatment techniques, just as deep tissue is built upon the skills and techniques of Swedish Massage.
Students will learn a variety of deep tissue techniques, as well as how and when to utilize them.
Emphasis will be places on professionalism and self-care.
Kinesiolgy is the study of movement, Kinesiology: Upper Extremity begins our study of how the human body moves.
Bones, joints and especially muscles are the what people are coming to massage therapists for. In short, muscles are our business.
Knowledge of the muscular system, and how the different muscles interact is the primary focus of this class.
If you truly want to be a 'soft tissue expert', knowing what is under the skin and how it all works together is
essential.
We will begin by building a good understanding of the functions and characteristics of the skeleton and muscles that move it.
Muscles of the arm and shoulder will be studied, learning their attachment sites and actions. Emphasis is placed on not only the
theory, but also the ability to find and palpate these structures.
Subsequent Kinesiology classes will build on the knowledge and concepts covered in Kinesiology: Upper Extremity, simply focusing on
different areas of the body.
Anatomy and Physiology I and II introduces the students to the different systems of the human body, and how massage can affect
those systems.
Business and Ethics I and II begins the process of learning and utilizing those qualities that help a person be successful in a
given field. Being able to perform a good massage is only the first part of being a successful massage therapist.
Solid and ethical business practices are essential to success.
Student clinic. The public will be invited to come in and receive discounted massages from our Student Practitioners one day a week.
Students will be involved in all aspects of running the student clinic.
What comes next?
After successfully completing the Swedish Massage Practitioner certificate, students have satisfied the hours and time requirement for licensure in Washington State. What follows is the licensure process.
This consists of applying for and passing a certifcation exam, then applying for licensure with the State. The State does run a criminal background check, and licensure may be denied with some types of convictions.
The licensure process after completion of certificate can run anywhere from 6 weeks to several months.
Home |
what we do |
instructors |
faq |
contact
This page was built and is personal responsibility of Michelle Simpkins, LMP, and is for informational purposes only.
It is not the responsibility of Clover Park Technical College.
Please contact Michelle at Michelle.Simpkins@cptc.edu with any questions or to report any errors on this page.
Last Update: August 20, 2009
|
|
