Courses

Students will become thoroughly acquainted with the human body through study of each specialized system and its functions, and how those systems work together to create a complex and extraordinary human being. Systems will be studied from a perspective of health, followed by an investigation of how pathologies arise when systems are not operating in healthy balance.

The field of massage therapy will be explored through an overview of its historical roots, understanding of the benefits and effects of massage, and discernment of when massage is cautioned and contraindicated. Awareness of how massage therapy research studies have impacted its perceived value, and how massage weaves into a bigger picture of complementary healthcare today will also be explored.

In this course, students will learn to provide a safe environment for their clients and themselves through topics such as preventing disease transmission, knowing and adhering to state laws and regulations, practicing impeccable self-care, personal health and body mechanics, and avoiding work-related injuries.

The importance of creating and maintaining positive therapeutic relationships through clear boundaries and skillful communication cannot be understated. At IAM, we give students more than just a theoretical study of ethical principles and standards; we expect them to practice through role-play and real-world scenarios. Students will leave this class feeling confident to effectively handle a variety of challenging client experiences while demonstrating a highly professional demeanor.

Students will acquire the foundational skills necessary to perform a safe, competent, and effective massage therapy session. This course will include detailed instruction on preparing a client for their session, positioning and draping the client, applying and integrating basic methods of soft-tissue manipulation, planning and customizing the massage session, and suggesting client self-care activities.

Beyond providing a basic massage, today’s massage therapist must be equipped with advanced knowledge that makes them marketable in a broader array of massage settings. Detailed instruction in western approaches, such as myofascial release and neuromuscular therapy, will provide tools for addressing chronic pain, injury, and postural imbalances. An overview of allied modalities, such as hot stone massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and Asian bodywork will prepare students to work in a spa setting or holistic health practice.

This course is designed to offer students a deep understanding of the mechanics of human movement. Students will be systematically guided through key muscle groups, gaining comprehension of where muscles originate and insert, and how they work together to create balanced, coordinated action. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skill to observe a client’s level of health, address imbalances in the musculoskeletal system, and assess their findings and approach for use in developing further treatment sessions.

Depending on a client’s overall health, family history, age, life experience, and current conditions, sessions need to be adapted. This course instructs the student on how to design a session that meets each individual client’s needs. Topics will range from knowing what to do during specific stages of injury healing to working with clients with chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, diabetes, cancer, stress, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other common health conditions. A focus on working with special populations, such as seniors, pregnant women, children, clients with disabilities, and clients who are at the end of life, will also be included.

The goal of this course is to provide structure and inspiration for developing a career in any facet of massage therapy. Whether the student plans to become an employee, own a private practice, or have a blended career, our approach to career development is interactive, creative, and motivating. Our aim is to get students excited about their future as a massage therapist by tapping into their natural human potential, and putting it into action through meaningful in-class and offsite activities.

The student clinic is designed to give students real-world experience with planning and managing a massage session, as well as performing the responsibilities of running a clinic and exhibiting professionalism with clients. IAM’s student clinic is unique in that clinic clients are all professional massage therapists. They are experienced, knowledgeable, and trained to provide the most specific, valuable feedback a student can receive, while also playing the role of an everyday client. Clinic clients will be coached to occasionally provide challenging client scenarios so that students are put in the “hot seat” and can practice appropriate ethical behavior and skillful communication under pressure.