Course Catalog

Therapeutic Massage Therapy, TCC (TM11)  Technical Certificate of Credit


Campus Locations: Valdosta

Embedded TCC

Embedded TCCs are certificates that students can earn while in a degree, diploma, or longer TCC program. Students cannot directly enroll into an embedded TCC program. Students wishing to pursue massage therapy as a career should consider the Neuromuscular Massage Therapy TCC (NM21) program.

The Therapeutic Massage Technician TCC consists of a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of Therapeutic Massage Therapy. Learning opportunities provide in-class instruction and develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The curriculum includes human anatomy, physiology & kinesiology, pathology, massage therapy theory, techniques & practice, superficial warming techniques, pumping, stretching, jostling, shaking, rocking, contraindications, benefits, universal precautions, body mechanics, massage history, client data collection, documentation, and legalities of massage, professional standards including draping and modesty, therapeutic relationships and communications, ethics and business, clinical practice. Program graduates receive a Therapeutic Massage Therapy certificate, which qualifies them to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board and apply for Georgia Licensure through the GBMT

Program Outcomes: Massage therapy program graduates will demonstrate client communication, consent, and safety skills; identify medical conditions contraindicating massage; and apply anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology knowledge in sessions. They will perform entry-level relaxation massages, understand biomechanics and tissue relations, evaluate client health history, and conduct safe, effective sessions based on initial interviews. Additionally, they will adhere to ethical boundaries as outlined by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapists.

Careers: Massage Therapist, Neuromuscular Therapist

Admission Requirements:

Curriculum Outline (23 hours)
Occupational Courses 23
THMT 1001

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 2 Regular Lab – 2 Other Lab – 0 Total – 4 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides students with knowledge and practice of basic skills necessary for maintaining a successful and responsible career as a massage therapist. This course prepares students for practical application for clinic by developing the proper skills necessary for interviewing clients, collecting data, assessment of data collection, developing patient care plan, and proper documentation. Topics include: history of massage and body work; professionalism, effective communication skills; documentation and charting; formation of a treatment plan utilizing assessment procedures; and critical reading.

3
THMT 1002

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 2.2 Regular Lab – 3.6 Other Lab – 0 Total – 5.8 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course lays the foundation for other neuromuscular courses as it provides the essential basic skills for soft tissue manipulations. Students will learn how to incorporate the basic Swedish strokes as well as integrate each body region into a full body treatment session. Topics include: Client Assessment, Reassessment, and Treatment Planning Assessment, Preceptor Shadowing, Community Outreach, Self-Care.

4
THMT 1003

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 2 Regular Lab – 2 Other Lab – 0 Total – 4 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides an entry level understanding of human anatomy so as to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics the Sciences: Human Anatomy, The Chemical Level, The Cellular Level, The Tissue Level, Circulatory/Cardiovascular, Digestive System, Endocrine System, Immune System, Lymphatic System, Nervous System, Reproductive System, Respiratory System, Special Senses, Urinary System.

3
THMT 1004

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 1.7 Regular Lab – 2.66 Other Lab – 0 Total – 4.36 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy, enabling the students to assess and treat client conditions. Topics include Integumentary System, Skeletal System, Muscular System, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics.

3
THMT 1006

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 1.333 Regular Lab – 1.333 Other Lab – 0 Total – 2.666 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course prepares students to identify general pathological conditions so as to be able to refer for medical attention or identify indications and contraindications for massage for specific body systems as stated: musculoskeletal, endocrine, nervous, integumentary, circulatory and lymphatic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems. Topics include: review of basic anatomy and physiology per body system; identification of pathologic conditions per body system; physiologic effects of manual therapies upon each body system; formation of a treatment plan; indications

2
THMT 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 3 Regular Lab – 2 Other Lab – 0 Total – 5 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides an overview of other adjunctive modalities necessary for further supervised study and training required for responsible therapy. Topics include pregnancy massage, lymphatic drainage, advanced assessment techniques, muscle lengthening techniques, thermotherapy, passive and active engagement, positional release techniques, myofascial release overview, and critical reading.

4
THMT 1102

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 1.27 Regular Lab – 2.27 Other Lab – 0 Total – 8.34 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course prepares students to develop professional leadership skills and maintain a successful practice as a Massage Therapist. This course will explore local and Georgia law as it pertains to the regulation and licensure of Massage Therapy. Also addressed are professional ethics and standards for practice per chosen professional massage therapy organization. Topics include networking, business promotion, business management, start-up plan portfolio, financial management, State (Georgia) law, Local Law, and Professional Ethics.

4
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