600-Hour Foundational Massage Therapy Program

Anatomy and Physiology – Systems Level I:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 30 
Description: This Anatomy and Physiology I course provides the foundational platform for the general study of the human body’s structure and function. Emphasis is placed on the complex nature of the body’s chemical level, cellular level, histology, integumentary, skeletal, joints, muscles, and tissues.

Anatomy and Physiology – Systems Level II:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 30
Description: Students review all the body systems with emphasis on the complex nature of the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, respiratory, skeletal, urinary, and reproductive systems of the body, the interrelationship of the organs, and the body’s ability to adapt to the environment.

Anatomy & Physiology – Musculoskeletal Level I:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 20
Description: The Anatomy and Physiology II course focuses on musculoskeletal anatomy. In this course, students focus attention specifically on learning Musculoskeletal Anatomy of the upper body, including the location, origin and insertion, actions, and synergistic movements of the musculature. Students learn to clearly understand and communicate how massage works to assist in the maintenance, healing, and support of the client’s muscular and skeletal systems.

Upper Body Techniques:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 16
Description: Students learn to identify and palpate the musculature of the upper body to become familiar with the underlying structures of the human body. Through demonstration and palpation, students learn to effectively identify and work specific muscles to assist in the maintenance, healing, and support of the client’s muscular and skeletal systems.

Anatomy & Physiology – Musculoskeletal Level II:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 20
Description: Students continue the study of musculoskeletal anatomy with a focus on the lower body.  In this course students focus attention on the location, origin and insertion, actions, and synergistic movements of the musculature. Students learn to identify the musculature to become familiar with the underlying structures of the human body and to clearly understand and communicate the way in which massage works to assist in the maintenance, healing, and support of these structures.

Lower Body Techniques:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 16
Description: Students learn to identify and palpate the musculature of the lower body to become familiar with the underlying structures of the human body. Through demonstration and palpation, students learn to effectively identify and work specific muscles to assist in the maintenance, healing, and support of the client’s muscular and skeletal systems.

Kinesiology:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 25
Description: Kinesiology is the study of human movement. This course will help students see how understanding structure, posture, and normal human movement is instrumental in the application of physical assessments, understanding mechanisms of injury, and selecting the most appropriate therapeutic interventions. The skilled recognition of structural imbalances—as well as limitations of movement—is an essential component of determining the best treatment goals and then designing an effective treatment plan for each unique client situation.

Assisted Stretching Fundamentals

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 30; over one 3-day weekend
Description: This course teaches students how to work with tissues of the body to enhance performance in a variety of events. Students will learn the different approaches to stretching as self-care to enhance everyday life, how to evaluate the anatomical or physiological problems limiting ability, and basic injury protocols.

Massage Therapy Core I – Foundations:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 48
Description: In the Massage Therapy Core I course, students learn the five basic Swedish Massage strokes of Effleurage, Petrissage, Vibration, Tapotement, and Friction along with basic and intermediate techniques, that are needed to give a safe and effective full-body Swedish massage. Students are introduced to basic ethical dilemmas such as transference and countertransference. They learn and demonstrate proficiency in conducting client assessments and in creating custom protocols to meet the specific needs of the client. In addition to massage technique and application, this course provides a strong emphasis on indications and contraindications to massage, along with appropriate responses to common pathological disorders. Students develop their sense of touch awareness and are prepared to begin giving massages in the student clinic.

Massage Therapy Core II – Spa Modalities:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 40
Description: In the Massage Therapy Core II course, Students learn how to add complementary treatments, such as the use of Hot Stone Massage and Aromatherapy to their Swedish Massage treatment protocols. In addition, students continue to practice and refine their Swedish Massage techniques of Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Vibration, and Friction. Students begin to increase their comfort level and competency in giving the pressure level that matches the client’s preference. Students demonstrate competency in giving light, moderate, and deep Swedish Massage. Students also learn and demonstrate the ability to perform Pregnancy Massage, Chair Massage. Students learn and demonstrate the ability to adapt massage techniques when working with a variety of Special Populations. A strong focus is placed on healthy body mechanics and on working in a sustainable way, which will support the longevity of the massage therapists’ career.  Students learn how to enhance a massage practice using Hydrotherapy and the use of hot and cold treatments. Students learn how to apply hydrotherapy and spa techniques to relax muscles, reduce swelling and to speed injury recovery time. In addition, students learn the history of and present-day use of common hydrotherapy-based spa therapies.

Massage Therapy Core III – Energetic Modalities:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 40
Description: This class is an introduction to CranioSacral Therapy, Lymphatic Concepts, and Reflexology. This 40-hour, 10 class course offers a simple, yet comprehensive presentation of these 3 modalities. In Day 1-3, students are taught and demonstrate an introductory foundation to the Craniosacral System and a basic CranioSacral hands on protocol. In Day 4-6, students are taught and demonstrate the basic techniques needed to gently stimulate the lymphatic system and support fluid movement. Students review in depth, the lymphatic system along with the manual techniques to support fluid movement. Students will be able to identify common lymphatic disorders, understand the anatomy and physiology of the system, and will be able to demonstrate the primary catchments and watersheds in the body. Students learn and demonstrate how to apply lymphatic techniques within their scope of practice. In Day 7-10, students are introduced to the modality of Reflexology which, teaches that specific pressure points stimulate and encourage healing throughout the body. In this portion of the course, students identify the body’s systems, organs, and muscles and locate their corresponding Reflexology pressure points on the hands and feet.  Students learn and demonstrate soft tissue manipulation techniques to massage and apply pressure to these Reflexology points. The healing practice of Reflexology dates as far back as ancient Egypt. Many ancient religious and spiritual texts also mention the feet in symbolic and actual references to points throughout the body.

Massage Therapy Core IV – Eastern Modalities:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 40
Day 1-3: Gua-Sha Massage: Gua-Sha is a form of traditional Chinese therapy, which utilizes cutaneous friction to degranulate metabolic waste within ischemic musculature. The practice has been passed down from generation to generation for over 3,000 years.  This unique art is well known in China and throughout Asia and is practiced for general detoxification, increasing the metabolism, relieving muscular tension, restoring proper circulation to the body and for relieving the symptoms of the flu and colds. Gua-Sha is also used to tighten skin, reduce wrinkles and to combat the signs of aging. According to Chinese history, the practice of Gua-Sha was popularized during the Tang Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty.
Day 4-6: TCM Cupping Massage: Through the use of suction cups which act as the inverse of compression style massage, TCM Cupping frees tight fascia, breaks down adhesions, increases circulation and moves stagnant qi. When air is removed from the specially designed cups, a negative pressure is produced to create a vacuum effect. This suction is used to massage and loosen tight musculature, restore proper circulation, reduce the appearance of cellulite and to cultivate homeostasis. TCM Cupping Massage focuses primarily on the Bladder Meridian and/or areas of tight musculature.
Day 7-10:  Eastern Abdominal Massage: Abdominal Massage is the study and practice of working with the body’s tissues. According to Traditional Chinese medical theory,  Abdominal Massage is believed to release trapped emotions and to improve digestion.  In this portion of the course, students study and recite the connection between the organs and emotions and learn ways to release trapped negative emotional energies. The theory from this course is largely based on Traditional Chinese Medical theories.

Massage Therapy Core V – Deep Techniques:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 55
Description: Students learn and demonstrate how to manipulate connective tissues of the body to eliminate and reduce pain and to create structural/postural changes in their clients. Students learn how to conduct assessments of client’s postural habits and structural imbalances and how to implement change, through tissue manipulation, stretching, and take-home exercises for the client. In addition, students learn and demonstrate the utilization of this knowledge as a way to enhance their own lives and to support a long healthy career in massage therapy and bodywork.

Pathology:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 40
Description: In the Pathology course, students are taught that massage influences the disease and healing process. They are taught how massage therapists can provide clients with maximum benefits while minimizing risks. Students are taught to work with other medical providers to assist the client and to refer clients to the appropriate medical provider. Throughout the course, identification and knowledge of indications and contraindications for massage, etiology, signs, symptoms, and standard treatment approaches for common diseases and conditions is emphasized.

Professional Ethics and Business Standards:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 35
Description: In the Professional Ethics and Business Standards course, students are taught the important principles and guidelines for beginning an ethical and successful career as a Licensed Massage Therapist. Students create a solid business plan and resume and effectively answer common interview questions. Students specify and target their specific career goals in the field of massage therapy. An emphasis is placed on general business knowledge and practices, career opportunities, tax reporting, ethical and legal issues surrounding a massage therapy career.

Standard Precautions, Sanitation, and CPR:

Prerequisite: Acceptance into ZMC’s Professional Massage Therapy Program
Clock Hours: 15
Description: In the Standard Precautions, Sanitation, and CPR course, students are instructed in basic Standard Precautions, Sanitation and Hygiene practices that are relevant to the practice of Massage Therapy. Students are prepared for various emergencies and demonstrate the ability to follow the American Red Cross Protocols for ensuring that the scene is safe, giving basic care and, getting help quickly and efficiently in an emergency. In addition, students study and demonstrate standard CPR and First Aid Skills and are required to become CPR and First Aid certified American Red Cross.

Student Massage Clinical Internship:

Prerequisite: Massage Therapy Core I
Clock Hours: 100
Description: Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills learned in ZMC courses through practicing massage therapy on the public population. Qualified ZMC staff members are always present during the clinical internship to oversee safety and protocol issues, to provide instruction and, to answer questions from students or clients.