If you browse the curricula or course programs of some massage schools, you will find that course offerings are identical. One reason is that massage schools prepare graduates for certification and accreditation, so certain courses are obligatory. For example, a review of a handful of massage schools show that students need to complete credits in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, massage therapies and in other subjects. Majority of massage schools also offer courses in business ethics, administration and client assessment methods. If you look at the electives, courses in aromatherapy and flower essences in some massage schools are available to students desiring to earn extra credits. For purposes of certification and accreditation, students enrolling in massage schools will not be able to “skip” a course like physiology or anatomy because these fall under the required courses category.
Some massage schools make the effort to introduce new courses that are of interest to students looking to learn modalities off “the beaten path.” If you’re looking for a massage school, it might be worth your while to really take the time to examine their curricula, and see if there might be a course or two that you can take as “add-ons.” For example, the massage school in Lombard, Illinois – National University of Health Sciences – has a course called Palpation. The school describes Palpation as the “study and application of the major superficial muscles and body landmarks.” This is a hands-on course. If you are one of those students who dream of opening their own massage therapy business, taking an extra course like Palpation might be a very useful tool for your practice. This massage school in Lombard also offers a course called Massage Therapy for Special Populations and students learn how to apply what they learn in more specialized fields covering geriatric, cancer, pregnant women and infant populations.
The massage school in Manhattan, New York – The Swedish Institute - offers a course called Five Element Shiatsu. This is a course that aims to integrate the study of Qi (energy) through the body. A student enrolled in The Swedish Institute taking the Five Element Shiatsu course can expect to learn about another Eastern method called Tuina, and will be introduced to the approach of combining Eastern and Western modalities to further their professional development as massage therapists.
Massage Therapy is a dynamic field where new approaches and exciting concepts and methods are introduced, reason why your education never ends with your diploma. Millions of massage therapists who love what they do make continuing education part of their routine. As a student, you may want to take advantage of your time in school to be on the lookout for new and uncommon courses that fall outside the realm of standard curricula!
© 2012 Massage Schools Guide