Course Overview Anatomy TERM 1: 3 credits TERM 2: 2 credits Anatomy is the study of the structures and functional design of the human body, in our case with a particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal system. The Anatomy courses provide an essential foundation in preparing students for upcoming courses and clinical experiences. Business TERM 3: 1/2 credit TERM 4: 2 credits The successful massage therapist is not only a competent clinician, but also a capable businessperson. In keeping with the diverse career paths our graduates take, the Business courses focus on both employment and self-employment skills. Clinical Assessment TERM 3: 1 credit TERM 4: 1/2 credit The Clinical Assessment courses focus on the skills involved in evaluating clients' physical complaints and injuries. Along with case history taking, postural assessment, and general observational techniques, students learn the fundamentals of orthopedic and neurological testing protocols. Clinical Skills TERM 1: 3 credits This multi-credit Term 1 course introduces students to the effects, uses, contraindications, selection, sequencing, and application of the techniques of Swedish massage. Good practitioner biomechanics, 'feeling' and working with body tissues, giving effective partial and full body massages, and introductory clinical problem solving are all important elements of this foundation course. Emphasizing both theoretical and practical learning, Clinical Skills prepares students to begin working in the clinical realm. Hydrotherapy TERM 1: 1/2 credit TERM 2: 1/2 credit TERM 4: 1/2 credit Hydrotherapy involves the use of water in its various forms (ice, liquid, steam), applied at various temperatures and in a number of different formats. Students learn how to choose appropriate hydrotherapy modalities for conditions encountered in clinical practice, how to integrate these modalities with a massage treatment, and how to modify hydrotherapy to meet the specific needs of clients. Life Cycle TERM 4: 1/2 credit This course focuses on the practice of massage therapy in the context of milestones related to pregnancy, birth, infancy, puberty, and menopause. Integrating material from other courses and focusing on clients' therapeutic needs, students consider issues in relation to the special circumstances of clients at key transitional phases in the life cycle. Movement & Exercise TERM 3: 1 credit TERM 4: 1 credit These courses focus on biomechanics and exercise physiology as part of understanding the dynamics of health, injury, and repair. Students learn the principles behind stretching, strengthening, mobilization, and aerobic activity in order to be able to effectively incorporate remedial exercise prescription into their work with clients. Neurology TERM 2: 1 credit TERM 3: 1 credit The nervous system is the control centre of the human body and is an important area of study for all health care fields. Our emphasis is on neuromuscular physiology, movement and locomotion, functional anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in relaxation and healing. Pain TERM 4: 1/2 credit Understanding what causes and alleviates pain is fundamental to the practice of massage therapy. This course takes a specific look at nervous system and other mechanisms involved in pain creation, and at the principles involved in addressing pain clinically with the techniques and modalities available to the massage therapist. Pathophysiology TERM 1: 2 credits TERM 2: 1 credit Physiology is the study of how the body works at the level of cells, basic tissues, and organs; pathophysiology extends this investigation to examine the ways in which body tissues become diseased or dysfunctional. These foundation courses introduce the student to pathophysiology of all of the body systems, begin to examine some systems in more detail, and focus on cross-system fundamentals like injury/inflammation/repair, infectious disease, immunity and autoimmunity, cancer development, and so on. The role of nutrition in health and disease is also studied. Peripheral Joint Mobilization TERM 3: 1/2 credit This practical course explores joint mechanics with a focus on appreciating the dynamics of healthy joints. Students learn effective methods of evaluating and treating joints with subtle movements to help restore and maximize function. Regulation & Ethics TERM 4: 1/2 credit This course builds on fundamentals learned in earlier courses to consolidate what is involved in ethical, professional massage therapy practice. The focus is on jurisprudence in Ontario and the legislative, regulatory, and general health care principles the massage therapist needs to integrate into clinical practice. Research TERM 4: 1 credit Research is one of the cornerstones of health science. Health care practitioners need to have basic competency in locating and understanding research that pertains to their areas of work. This course also leads students to contemplate the opportunities for investigation of clinical findings in everyday practice and for cooperation in larger research projects in the future. Sports Massage TERM 3: 1/2 credit This course provides the student with practical information and technical skills related to working with athletes. Emphasis is on the application and specialized adaptation of standard massage approaches in the sports massage context. Techniques TERM 1: 1/2 credit (Rhythmic Techniques) TERM 2: 1 credit (Swedish Techniques) TERM 4: 1/2 credit (Advanced Techniques) Building on the Clinical Skills course in Term 1, students continue their learning of massage therapy techniques in a number of additional courses focused on hands-on ability. Emphasis is on technical efficiency and proficiency, expansion and diversification of skills, and development of one's own personal style. Theory & Practice TERM 2: 1 credit (Cardiovascular) TERM 2: 2 credits (Musculoskeletal) TERM 3: 2 credits (Musculoskeletal cont.) TERM 3: 1 credit (Central and Peripheral Nervous) TERM 3: 1 credit (Respiratory, Cancer, Other) TERM 4: 1 credit (Endocrine, Reproductive) TERM 4: 1/2 credit (Nervous cont.) This series of courses uses a systems-based approach to integrate the knowledge and skills involved in treating conditions and clinical presentations seen in massage therapy practice. The massage therapist must also know how to work compatibly with medical treatment protocols and to adapt to the presence of systemic conditions that alter client responses to standard massage treatment. The 'T&P' courses amalgamate system pathophysiology, massage treatment principles, condition-specific indications and contraindications, treatment design considerations, effective use of manual techniques, and incorporation of other modalities. Therapeutic Relationship TERM 1: 2 credits TERM 2: 1 credit These courses focus on development of the verbal and non-verbal skills needed to collaborate effectively with clients and other health care practitioners. Emphasis is placed on listening skills and healthy assertion, ethical decision-making, professional boundary setting, consent, confidentiality, relational issues in the therapeutic relationship, appreciation of diversity, and client-centred treatment planning. Student Clinic TERM 2: 1 credit TERM 3: 1 credit TERM 4: 1 credit Student Clinic is an integral part of our students' learning experience at Sutherland-Chan. Beginning in Term 2 each student does one clinic shift per week, working with members of the general public who have booked appointments to receive massage therapy. Student Clinic is a supervised setting that creates the opportunity to experience clinical practice in a learning environment. Outreach TERM 3: 1/2 credit (massage for seniors) TERM 4: 1 credit (clients with neurological disabilities; advanced athletic situations; hospital-based CNS-injured, perinatal, and palliative clients) In the Sutherland-Chan Outreach program, second year students begin to work with clients with increasingly more complex health conditions and life situations. Outreach clients may come to the school, or the students may go to them in a hospital or agency setting, but generally speaking they would not otherwise be able to access massage therapy for socioeconomic or health-related reasons. The students focus on learning how to adapt treatment plans and establish professional rapport with more diverse types of clients than they tend to encounter in Student Clinic. Students integrate all of their learning in Outreach, and often describe this program as their most rich and challenging educational experience. Specialty Clinics TERM 4: 1 credit Participation in specialty clinics is a requirement of the final term of the program. These experiences, some of which are mandated and some open for the student to select, provide a more focused exposure to certain types of cases and conditions, for example: pregnant women, athletes with sports injuries, diabetic clients. Back to the diploma program overview