Course expands student’s knowledge and skills in the area of foot massage. Course identifies indications & contraindications for feet, as well as the history of foot massage. Course instructs on advanced foot massage, as well as the essential oils that improve the effectiveness of the session, basic stretches and an overview of reflexology.
Cranial Sacral Therapy is gaining in recognition and popularity with the general population. This class will give the therapist a clear understanding of the theory and benefits of this cutting-edge therapy and when to apply it. These techniques can also be easily integrated into a general wellness massage promoting relaxation and introducing the client to cranial sacral therapy.
Course expands student therapist’s knowledge and skills in the application of hot and cold stones to the body & face. Course instructs on advanced application, implementation and execution of integrating cold stone facials into their current massage practice. Students practice with other options for providing heat & cold to support cold stone facial session. Introduction to Chakras, instruction in Chakra layout and Spinal layout sequence. Students leave with the confidence to immediately utilize their new skills.
Course expands student therapist’s knowledge and skills in the practice of self-care, and how it can benefit the delivery and longevity of their career. Course instructs on basics of essential oils, meditation, breathing techniques, stretches, exercises and Qigong. Self-application, implementation and execution of integrating hot & cold therapy into their current schedule.
Course introduces and expands therapist’s knowledge of essential oils and aromatherapy. A brief overview of the history of essential oil use & aromatherapy will begin a foundation providing insight into ways essential oils have been used by civilizations throughout the centuries. The main essential oils discussed will be lavender, peppermint and lemon – these are the most commonly used oils in massage & spa treatment protocols.
This Muscle Release Techniques for the Upper Extremity course will enhance a massage and bodywork professional’s awareness of deep tissue techniques for the upper extremity. Functional assessment activities will be presented to assist the therapist with identifying specific muscles associated with common problems in the upper extremity. The course also addresses movement techniques for this important area of common complaints by clients. The therapist will review and develop a detailed study of the skeletomuscular system of the upper extremity. Common conditions and injuries of this region will be identified, and applications of techniques will be considered. Techniques for pain relief and rehabilitation will be presented and studied. The course will establish the appropriate application of techniques for problem areas. The therapist will learn appropriate client positioning and study proper body mechanics for the safe practice of techniques.
Approved Provider: Light Hand Clinical Massage Therapy with Theresa Wilkes | Does your client have chronic low back pain that your massage isn’t resolving? Do you think about working on the psoas but, hold back because you are nervous and lack confidence? This class is for you. The course will give you a clear picture of the anatomy of the psoas and the associated muscles in the glutes, hips and low back as well as the palpation skills to access them confidently. You will learn a full deep tissue massage routine in the prone, supine and side lying positions with secure draping. Finish up with stretches and self-care techniques to give your clients, and you’ll be ready to step up your therapeutic massage practice to the next level.
Approved Provider: Light Hand Clinical Massage Therapy with Theresa Wilkes | Every professional bodyworker should have the expertise, sensitivity and skills to safely and efficiently address chronic neck pain as well as neck strain syndromes. Equally as important is technical ability to treat tension and injuries in the rotator cuff muscles. This course will train the therapist in non-force deep tissue techniques and trigger point release for the anterior, medial and posterior neck muscles as well as all four SITS muscles and the associated muscles of the upper back, arm, and chest. Lymphatic flushing techniques will be demonstrated to relieve inflammation in the tissues. Stretching and breathing exercises will be given for client self-care.
Approved Provider: Light Hand Clinical Massage Therapy with Theresa Wilkes | To many people, Deep Tissue Massage means hard, aggressive, painful techniques meant to force the muscle to release tension. This type of work can leave the client with increased pain and the therapist burned out with stressed hands and joints. The latest anatomy research and development of advanced techniques show us the way to work in cooperation with the nervous system, the muscle proprioceptors, and the lymphatic system, engaging the body’s own healing mechanisms in order to release muscle tension and pain more thoroughly, deeply, and gently. This class will teach the therapist to identify and flush inflammation out of the muscles in preparation for deep work. Slow, sinking strokes performed with soft hands and optimal body alignment will calm the nervous system and lower proprioceptive activity. Effective, specific routines of non-force, deep tissue massage for the low back & hips, upper back & rotator cuff, and neck will be demonstrated and practiced.
Approved Provider: Light Hand Clinical Massage Therapy with Theresa Wilkes | PRT is a gentle therapy that places the injured or tight muscle in a position of ease to release the tension by reducing or stopping dysfunctional proprioceptor activity. It is a simple but refined technique that can be performed on recent muscle injuries, chronic joint pain, taut muscle bundles or areas that are too tender to touch with the client fully clothed. This makes it perfect to integrate with any other massage techniques. This class will cover the theory and evolution of Lawerence H. Jones, D.O.’s original Strain and Counterstrain with extensive practice of techniques for all areas of the body.
Approved Provider: Light Hand Clinical Massage Therapy with Theresa Wilkes | Lymphatic drainage massage is in high demand in the wellness space. Lymphatic massage is a gentle yet profound manual technique that is effective in reducing water weight and inflammation while supporting your client’s detox programs. It is truly supportive for clients with chronic illness and pain seen with Fibromyalgia, arthritis and Long Covid. This course will teach the basic techniques of traditional manual lymph drainage as well as deeper flushing techniques drawn from sports massage techniques and a particular focus on flushing around the abdominal nodes and organs. It is taught as a 3-session protocol which is a wonderful service addition to your practice or spa menu. The techniques can also be integrated into any wellness, sports or pain relief massage session. A lymph drainage facial and sinus routing using a Gua Sha stone will also be taught. This course will not focus on oncology treatments.
Approved Provider: Melissa Cope | When we have finished you will have a solid understanding of how to safely and productively use your body as a tool to deliver deep tissue massage; you will have practiced palpation skills with your fists, forearms and elbows and have more confidence in using these tools regularly in your work setting; and you will be able to deliver more pressure with less effort. Therapists who have taken this course say they no longer hurt, and they feel like they could practice forever.
Approved Provider: Melissa Cope | This course focuses on the muscles and other structures of the forearm and hand from an anatomy perspective, as well approaching both self-care and client treatment through stretching exercises for each muscle or set of muscles. Finally, we will discuss pathologies that affect these areas such as medial and lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel and osteoarthritis.