MSTC101  Swedish Massage I - 2 Class Hours/3 Lab Hours/3 Credits

This course is an overview survey course to introduce students to the art and science of Massage Therapy Profession with particular emphasis on scientific principles and basic massage techniques. A large part of this course is a hands-on approach to teaching students the classic Swedish techniques of Western Massage. The students apply basic strokes to each area of the body while learning basic principles of palpation as a means of assessing muscle tissue and applying massage strokes. Students learn the general and specific functions each massage stroke. The students incrementally learn a full body sequence and work in partners and teams to become competent. The primary focus of the full body sequence is to promote a state of relaxation using touch in a safe, professional and therapeutic manner. The student learns the basic principles of body mechanics as a means of maintaining the ability to perform massage for longevity in the profession and minimizing the onset injuries or chronic conditions that can be a result of poor body mechanics. The principles of self care are reinforced as presented in a complimentary first semester course in Self Care and Stress Management. (Prerequisite: AHLC123)

MSTC105 Spa Techniques - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits

This course familiarizes the therapist in general with the various technique offerings of spas, including massage. The most frequently used options will be highlighted, including wraps, scrubs, aroma therapy massage, and facials.

MSTC119  Massage Business Practices - 3 Class Hours/3 Credits

The Massage Business Practices course will focus on the process of creating a Business Plan, the product. The process of creating a business plan is the process of planning steps that the student will take upon completion of the Massage Therapy Program and becoming a licensed Massage Therapist (if the state in which the business is located requires a license). The process of creating a plan will include clarifying a vision, developing goals and objectives, a marketing plan and materials (including a current resume) , an operational plan, and a plan for ongoing assessment. This will give the student an understanding of fundamental business principles and practices that an employer uses to begin and maintain a successful business. The reading, activities, discussions, feedback and class meetings are designed to build a knowledge base that will serve the student as a private practitioner OR as a productive employee in a variety of settings (Hospital, Chiropractic Office, Spa, Health Club to give a few examples.)

MSTC121  Swedish Massage II - 2 Class Hours/3 Lab Hours/3 Credits

In this course students review and reinforce much of the content of Swedish I through continuous practice. The science of bodywork is explored in more depth while adding the new dimensions of Massage Therapy as an art as well as a science. Students learn to use the basic Swedish Massage strokes and apply the elements of rhythm, pacing, variations, pressure, transitions, client positioning to develop patterns and sequences that can be applied to various parts of the anatomy. Students use fingertips, knuckles, thumbs, fists, inner and outer hand edges, palms forearms and elbows to apply strokes and develop the understanding that the power to apply strokes comes from the core muscles in their body not from the mechanical force of the finger, hand or arms alone. The student learns the importance of aligning their own body in combination with positioning the client for ultimate efficiency and creativity in the application of massage techniques. The deeper understanding gained by practice and creative exploration serves as an introduction to building individual massage treatments that meet specific client needs. Integrative anatomy is emphasized and palpation skills are further developed so that the student can begin to identify healthy muscular skeletal structure and also recognize variations and abnormalities. Massage techniques can be applied to the variations and abnormalities found so that the student can experience and identify results that can be achieved with massage. This course is taken simultaneously with Practicum I where students are encouraged to work on many body types and apply the new learning in Swedish II. Guest massage practitioners may visit to demonstrate massage modalities other than Swedish Massage. (Prerequisite: MSTC101)

MSTC126  Massage Rules and Ethics - 1 Class Hour/1 Credit

This course focuses upon specific ethics of the profession of massage, as exemplified in various codes of ethics of major massage professional organizations. This course will also cover current NH Rules governing massage therapy and therapists.

MSTC131  Pathology - 3 Class Hours/3 Credits
This is a lecture and hands-on class where the student will learn pathological conditions of the body. Medical massage will be taught along with its application. This course identifies where massage therapy would be contraindicated. (Co/Prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC201, MSTC101)

MSTC132  Sports Massage - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
This course teaches massage techniques that meet the biophysical needs of the athlete or the individual engaged in athletic activity. The student learns specific treatment techniques to prevent injury or aid in acceleration of the healing process. (Co/Prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202, MSTC121, AHLC123)

MSTC134 Self Care & Stress Management - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits

This course develops strategies for optimal self care needed for longevity in the career of Massage Therapy as well as strategies for working with clients to promote change that will complement massage in creating optimal health and wellness. Students will define stress and stress factors and identify the impact it has on an individual physically and psychologically. Students will explore the nature of stress and how it can be the cause of disease. Students will identify stress factors and patterns of stress that can cause dysfunction as well as strategies to reduce and manage stress and/or the reactions to stress factors. The process of change will be examined to fully understand what is needed to make effective long lasting change in self care and stress reduction as a part of one's lifestyle. A variety of stress reducing/relaxation techniques will be experienced to identify best fit strategies since each individual is unique.

MSTC135  Deep Tissue Massage - 1 Class Hour/3 Lab Hours/2 Credits

This course introduces the massage student to deeper strokes that include but are not limited to trigger point therapy, myofascial release and cross fiber friction. Traditional Swedish massage strokes are used but modified by applying more intense pressure and slowing the stroke to target specific sub musculature and fascia (connective tissue). Body mechanics are also modified to work from a lower center of gravity a derive more force without undue stress on the practitioner. A stronger understanding of integrative anatomy and thorough review of muscle insertion and origins will be covered. (Prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC 201 & 202, MSTC121, AHLC123)

MSTC137  Pre/Post Natal Massage - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
Special considerations need to be taken when working with pregnant women. Contraindications during each trimester, pressure points and proper positioning will be emphasized. (Co/Prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202, MSTC121)

MSTC139  Reflexology - 2 Class Hours/2 Credit
Reflexology is the practice of zone therapy and how reflex points on the feet correlate to various parts of the body. Foot baths and aroma therapy will also be incorporated.

MSTC140  Clinical Evaluation and Treatment - 2 Class Hours/3 Lab Hours/3 Credits

This course will introduce student to use of clinical reasoning to assess what type of massage treatment will be defined and implemented to reach desired outcomes. Topics covered include postural evaluation, contraindications, assessment and evaluation, medical history and current health status. Students will review and use of S.O.A.P. notes to document treatments and possible changes. (Prerequisites: SCIC111, MSTC121, AHLC123)

MSTC141  Oriental Theory and Concepts - 3 Class Hours/3 Credits
This course teaches the student basic concepts of Eastern/Asian healing, including the 12 organ meridian systems, the five element theory, the forms of chi and how they relate to treatments and overall health of the individual.

MSTC143  Chair Massage - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
This course is lecture and experiential, and focuses upon the specific techniques used in this popular modality of massage therapy. Students will learn all necessary preparations, procedures and strokes for completing a chair massage, from intake of client to marketing this service to organizations, companies and the public. (Co/prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202, MSTC121)

MSTC145  Aromatherapy - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
Use of essential oils for medical and massage purposes. Students will learn to customize aromas for specific cases.

MSTC147  Elder Massage - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
The class is designed to teach massage therapists a variety of skills and techniques. These will enable the professional to better work with older people in various settings such as nursing and retirement homes as well as with more active seniors. Through visualization, massage, lecture and discussion, students will explore ways to enhance the quality of life of older people. (Co/Prerequisites: SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202, MSTC101)

MSTC148  Somatic Massage - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
Massage made famous at the California Institute for more than 35 years emphasizes slow, full body strokes and a metaphysical and holistic approach to the experience of bodywork. Students will learn specific techniques to incorporate the mind/body connection in the design of their own massage. (Co/Prerequisites: MSTC121, SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202)

MSTC153  Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy - 2 Class Hours/2 Credits
The focus of this class will be upon the concept of fascial structure within the body and the application of pressure points on congested muscles for relief of pain. The student will learn major strokes of these techniques on various muscle groups. (Co/Prerequisites: MSTC121, SCIC111 or SCIC201 & SCIC202)

MSTC193  Practicum I - 3 Lab Hours/1 Credit
During this course the student will begin to work with individual clients and will learn an intake process, how to determine if massage is appropriate and how to properly document each massage per the NH state standards. This first Practicum is approximately one third the number of hours (minimum of 125) required by NH for massage licensure. The student will be combining massages in the on-campus clinic with those that they complete independently. The campus clinic has a faculty supervisor on duty to assist students in the learning process. Students will meet with the faculty supervisor as needed throughout the semester for feedback and review. Students are required to show evidence of a liability policy additional to the college liability policy which covers them when they are conducting massages independently, i.e. not directly supervised by a college faculty. Students and faculty will be encouraged to use the classroom format in all second semester massage courses for sharing practicum experiences to enhance the learning process. (Co/Prerequisites: AHLC123, MSTC101)

MSTC194  Practicum II - 3 Lab Hours/1 Credit
This course is a continuation of Practicum I towards the completion of at least 125 hours required by NH for massage licensure. The student will continue to develop the competencies required in Practicum I and will now apply new learning to assess the needs of the client in order to develop a massage that meets the unique needs of that client. Some of the hours required in Practicum II will be on campus or at an approved clinic site and these will be combined with independent hours that are documented per NH documentation standards. Students will be required to maintain liability coverage in addition to the college liability policy which covers them when they are not directly supervised by college faculty. Students will be asked to write specific goals and objectives based on their Practicum I experience. The student and faculty will review the goals and objectives at the midpoint and the end of the semester. Students and faculty will be encouraged to use the classroom format in third semester massage courses for sharing practicum experiences to enhance the learning process. (Prerequisites: MSTC121, SCIC103, or SCIC111, SCIC201 and SCIC202)

MSTC195  Practicum III - 3 Lab Hours/1 Credit
This course is a continuation of Practicum I and II and the completion of the NH state requirement of at least 125 hours of massage for licensure. The student will be integrating all prior learning to thoroughly assess client needs and design a massage treatment that is effective for each client. Hours will be a combination of either on campus clinic hours and/or approved practicum site and independent hours documented as required by NH standards. Students will be highly encouraged to access an approved site for the purpose of exploring a variety of settings in which massage is available such as, hospitals, clinics, spas and private practices. Students will be asked to write specific goals and objective based on their Practicum I & II experiences. The student and faculty will review the goals and objectives at the midpoint and the end of the semester. (Co/prerequisites: All MSTC core classes)