Fort Collins Massage School Hands-On Training

What You’ll Learn During Your HOT Training

Welcome to Hands-On Training! In this 4 week HOT session, we will start with a comprehensive review of topics you’ve already studied. Then we’ll test your knowledge before moving into the different massage topics covered in your training. You’ll explore the techniques involved in Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue massage, hydrotherapy and more. Along the way, brief written quizzes will help you to review and solidify the information you are learning. Finally in week 4, you will prepare and perform your final presentation and complete a 1-hour massage practicum with your instructor.

Week 1—47 hours

• Discuss the basic components of human anatomy and physiology involved in massage therapy.
• Illustrate important methods of self-care for massage therapists.
• Demonstrate draping techniques for massage therapy practice.
• Demonstrate the role of body mechanics and stretching in massage therapy.
• Demonstrate grounding and centering, integration strokes, caring strokes, closing strokes, effleurage and draping techniques as components of a massage.
• Explain the intake process for a new massage client.
• Explain the benefits of Swedish massage therapy.
• Apply Swedish massage therapy techniques on a live subject to provide a complete, one-hour full body massage. This will include techniques specific to the following body areas: Back, erector spinae, cervicals, iliac crest and thoracics, hamstrings, adductors and abductors, knees, heels, feet and toes, gluteus and gastrocnemius, anterior legs, quadriceps, face and scalp, and arms.

Week 2—57 hours

• Demonstrate each massage therapy technique studied in the course in a clinical setting with proper safety precautions.
• Explain the benefits of therapeutic and deep tissue massage therapy.
• Apply therapeutic and deep tissue massage therapy techniques on a live subject, including techniques specific to the following body areas: Supine legs, back, shoulders, neck, chest and antagonist muscles.
• Explain the benefits of hot stone massage therapy.
• Describe application of prenatal massage.
• Demonstrate proper chair massage therapy techniques on a live subject.
• Explain the necessary business knowledge and ethics requirements for massage therapy.
• Understand and prepare effective client records, including client information forms, physician release forms and SOAP notes.
• Demonstrate hydrotherapy techniques for tissue injury. Ensure proper use of water temperature.

Week 3—59 hours

• Demonstrate each massage therapy technique studied in the course in a clinical setting with proper safety precautions.
• Understand and explain Kinesiology, and apply the knowledge with massage techniques.
• Understand and utilize basic techniques of energy work.
• Explain the benefits of aromatherapy massage and the oils common to the technique
• Apply Trigger Point Therapy as appropriate for Hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle.
• Demonstrate sports massage on live subjects. Address benefits and techniques for pre-event, post-event and maintenance for athletes of all levels.

Week 4—37 hours

• Demonstrate deep tissue massage therapy techniques.
• Complete final HOT assessments, including a massage report, presentation and an anatomy exam.
• Perform a 1-hour hands-on final practicum.

Click here for the online Academic portion course outline.