Massage Therapy

Overview

Massage therapists are employed at day spas, hotels, and resorts; at medical offices and facilities; and in private and group practices. The Massage Therapy certificate provides students with the skills necessary to apply for New Hampshire State Licensure, which requires successful completion of the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). WMCC is certified by the National Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The curriculum includes:

• Body systems, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
• Massage and bodywork assessment, theory, and application
• Pathology
• Business and ethics

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services may restrict licensing of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal legal action. Questions about licensing restrictions should be directed to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).

Students are expected to purchase/provide the following:

• Necessary lotions
• Linens, towel, general personal cleaning supplies

These items are discussed at the mandatory freshman orientation meetings held before the beginning of each semester.

Students who are accepted into the Massage Therapy program must:

1. Possess and maintain personal health insurance for hands-on classes and internship. Provide proof of health insurance or acceptance into a sliding-scale fee for a primary care provider and hospital coverage. Provide a general health statement from personal providers indicating the student is able to participate in all program requirements.
2. Obtain and maintain Adult CPR and First Aid certifications prior to and during their massage internship. These certifications are required for initial state licensure. Cost of certification is separate from the program and is the responsibility of the student. When possible, the college will arrange for an instructor to come to campus during the first semester.
3. Have professional liability insurance for hands-on classes and internship. (Available through the college).
4. Maintain a grade of C in all courses offered as part of this certificate. If the minimum grade is not maintained, students may repeat the course only once.
5. Provide an approved criminal background check through the college-approved vendor. This background check must be initiated no later than September 15 of the first

Health Considerations

As per college policy, WMCC students during their learning experiences must not place in jeopardy clients, patients, or medical information. Therefore, students during office or clinical experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that accompany the responsibilities associated with interacting with clients, patients, or medical information. Unable to demonstrate such stability, they will be removed from placement. Furthermore, students are expected to have the emotional stability to exercise sound judgment and to accept directions and guidance from supervisors or faculty members. They must also be capable of establishing a rapport and maintaining sensitive interpersonal relationships with employers, clients/patients, and their families.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of hands-on massage techniques including Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, Sports massage and massage for Special Populations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the muscles and bones of the human body, which have been shown to get the most benefit from massage therapy.
• Demonstrate muscle movements, including proper range of motion of the joints in the body.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of techniques used in spas, i.e. body wraps and scrubs.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of Oriental theory and Reflexology including meridians of the body and reflex points on the feet.
• Discuss how to develop a massage therapy business and also the pros and cons of working in various massage facilities.