Courses

Medical Massage and Spa Therapy Program

The Medical Massage and Spa Therapy Program is a 12 month, 680 clock hours, course of study. Day and evening classes are available. Classes are four hours in length.
The Program provides students with the necessary skills for employment in the field of massage therapy and prepares students to pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx), and to apply for New Jersey massage therapy licensure.

Courses are taught with a combination of lecture, demonstration and practical application. Upon graduation, students will be able to seek employment as massage therapists in chiropractic offices, wellness centers, hospitals, health clubs, resorts, spas, physical therapy offices, athletic facilities, psychotherapy offices, beauty and nail salons, pain management centers and massage therapy establishments, or in private practice.
Upon satisfactory completion of all the requirements of the program, the student will receive a Diploma in Medical Massage and Spa Therapy and a certificate in Neuromuscular Therapy.

The Medical Massage and Spa Therapy Program is a 12 month, 680 clock hours, course of study. Day and evening classes are available. Classes are four hours in length.

MASSAGE THERAPY COURSES OFFERED:
Note for all programs: A clock hour is defined as 50 minutes of staff-supervised instruction.
Anatomy & Physiology (150 Total Hours) Anatomy & Physiology - 100
NMT Applied Pathology - 50
Theory and Practice (394 Total Hours)
Active Isolated Stretching - 40
Fundamentals of Swedish Massage - 72
Neuromuscular Therapy - 42
Orthopedic Assessment - 40
Student Clinic (200 Total Hours)
Ethics and Law (20 Total Hours)
Business and Ethics - 10
Law (NJ & FL) and HIV/AIDS - 10
Allied Modalities/ Electives (116)
Chair Massage - 16
Hot Stone Massage - 16
Myofascial Release - 32
Pregnancy Techniques - 10
Reflexology - 32
Sports Massage - 10

Continuing Education

AIAM is approved by The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork for Continuing Education Provider, Category A #399100-00

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED:

Credit hours: 8 or 16 (dependent on 1 or 2 day course length)

FIT is a one of a kind multidisciplinary approach developed by Mark Carangelo. FIT integrates pain science, development neuromuscular sequencing, movement screenings, rolling patterns and crawling, vestibular reading balance, manual muscle testing, parasympathetic ns activation, osteopathic alignments, orthopedic assessments, (passive, active, resistive and special tests) along with myofascial release, trigger point therapy, stretching, corrective exercise (client home care) and joint mobilizations to facilitate an overall balance of the body resulting in structural integration, pain free movement and enhanced overall performance. As therapists, we need to assess movement patterns and make corrective methods for the client’s long term health. People compensate for faulty movement patterns and the proper assessment is key to correction of these compensation patterns. Reprogramming the CNS will allow for the client to regain the proper motor control sequencing. We should be looking at the body from the inside out not the other way around.

It is paramount to make an accurate assessment of the condition in which your client presents. If the therapist assesses the patient has a stability issue over a mobility issue the correction can be quite different. Stability calls for developmental sequencing via rolling. These specific evaluations need to be correctly assessed to assure the proper treatment is conducted. Understanding how we function as humans is a major part of FIT.

Credit hours: 16

Kinetic Activation Technique is a form of manual muscle testing that breaks down relationships into easily implemented procedures. KAT discusses in depth the terms associated with Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) from reciprocal inhibition, synergistic dominance and others. Long and short lever muscles will be tested and we will be discussing their relationships to movement. KAT will provide solid MMT's with local and global concepts and how to connect the big picture of how the body moves.

KAT has clear and concise manuals with clear images of the muscle tests and concepts presented.

Muscles that work in sequence may have reactive relationships. A muscle may test active on its own; however, the same muscle may test weak when tested in sequence with another muscle or kinetic chains of muscles. There are many situations when this may occur. Paired opposites may have this relationship or muscles in a line of force may display this reactive relationship. Muscles that are parallel to on another may display this reactive relationship as well. For example, psoas to psoas or QL to QL. Look to this type of relationship when muscles testing. In KAT, we look to muscles to reacting to one another and how they interfere with fluid movement.

KAT takes testing off the table and tests in all planes of movement.

Credit hours: 8

A systematic process of gathering information, which provides the therapist the information necessary to determine appropriate treatment. Identify the tissues involved and assess their dysfunction. The therapist will utilize the below techniques to assess the client. With these assessments we can ascertain which techniques may assist the client in less pain. Range of motion and resistive testing (Protocol) 1)Evaluate the client’s ability to move actively Active ROM use both contractile tissues (muscles and tendons) which produce movement and inert tissues (nerves, bursa and fascia) 2)Evaluate the clients ability to move passively Passive ROM uses the inert tissues (joints, nerves, bursa and fascia) which reveal different symptoms than contractile tissues 3)Evaluate the clients ability against resistance (isometric movements) These tests may confirm the active tests. Since these tests involve no movement the inert tissues are not involved. These tests involve the proper contraction of muscles and tendons 4)Special tests These tests are Orthopedics tests and may indicate a specific problem such as rotator cuff tears and carpal tunnel syndrome. The tests results are either positive or negative. 5) Joint Capsule Work While checking client`s range of motion observe the end feel of the movement. If the end feel is bone on bone like perform capsule work. If end feel is leather in feel perform soft tissue work.

Credit hours: 8

Pin and Stretch Technique is a movement based muscle lengthening approach that is highly effective at assisting/treating issues with muscle, tendon, ligament and fascia. Tissues that may appear abnormal with regard to texture, tightness, movement, and function are treated with stretching combines with sliding force, which are intended to increase movement of the tissues by removing or breaking up adhesions. You may accomplish this by way of C-clamping or direct pressure applied tissue you wish to release. Pin and Stretch requires client participation for its overall effectiveness with regards to Targeted areas that are identified in muscles and tendons where overuse or dysfunction may have caused repetitive injury and the potential for scar tissue build up. As a result, this may cause nerve irritation, shorten the potential length of muscles and may produce tendons irritation. By this application of direct pressure while the client performs specific motions to lengthen the tissue in the specific movements, the result is to ultimately release underlying tissues. This has the potential to increases blood flow, reduces nerve pain, improve range of motion, and increases strength.

Credit hours: 8

A course description will be entered here soon.

Credit hours: 8 or 16 (dependent on 1 or 2 day course length)

A course description will be entered here soon.

Credit hours: 8

The student will learn how to perform MFR on all the muscles that control the Back, neck and shoulders. They will know how to apply the technique to muscles of the lower body as well. We will discuss the muscles involved and the specific locations where to apply the technique. It teaches the therapist the anatomy, properties and function of fascia and how to manipulate it to break up adhesions, scar tissue and increase range.

Credit hours: 4

A course description will be entered here soon.