Imagine Better Client Results, Greater Confidence, & More Years Doing What You Love.

Develop the knowledge needed to understand musculoskeletal problems, make informed clinical decisions, and communicate confidently with clients and other healthcare professionals.

The curriculum includes:

• Relevant anatomy and kinesiology

• Medical terminology

• Musculoskeletal pathology, including more than 175 injuries, conditions, and pain presentations

• Clinical protocols and treatment considerations

• Indications and contraindications for massage and referral

• More than 30 contraindications, including when not to treat

• Remedial and therapeutic exercises

• Hydrotherapy and its clinical applications

• Special populations, Pre/Post Natal, Infant & Child, Veterans, Athletes, Seniors, Teaching Self-care, Stress Management, Stress Physiology, Whiplash & Concussion, Repetitive Use Injuries

• Ethics

Learn to look beyond symptoms, identify potential sources of musculoskeletal dysfunction, and make informed treatment decisions based on objective findings.

The curriculum includes:

• More than 100 physical assessments for pain, posture, and range of motion

• Over 50 regional orthopedic special tests to help identify specific pathologies

• Comprehensive postural assessment and analysis

• Active, passive, and resisted range-of-motion testing

• Goniometry and objective measurement of joint mobility

• Palpation and evaluation of soft-tissue dysfunction

• Orthopedic assessments for the spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles

• Special tests such as Hawkins-Kennedy, Empty Can, Speed's, Phalen's, Finkelstein's, and Apley's

• Interpreting assessment findings to guide individualized treatment strategies

• Reassessment to evaluate treatment effectiveness and track clinical progress
  
  

  MMT I: Cervical Spine Pain & Dysfunction

  • Cervical Radiculopathy

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Anterior Scalene Syndrome

  • Costoclavicular Syndrome

  • Posterior Cervical Pain Syndrome

  • Whiplash Syndrome

  • Headaches: Tension, Sinus, Cluster, Migraine

  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

  • Tension Myositis Syndrome

  • Sinus Pressure Release

  MMT II: Upper Extremity Pain & Dysfunction

  • Double Crush Syndrome

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Costoclavicular Syndrome

  • Pectoralis Minor Syndrome

  • Myogenic TOS

  • Adhesive Capsulitis / Frozen Shoulder

  • Bicipital Tendinosis

  • Rotator Cuff Tendinosis

  • Medial Epicondylitis / Golfer's Elbow

  • Lateral Epicondylitis / Tennis Elbow

  • Radial Nerve Entrapment Neuropathies

  • Radial Tunnel Syndrome

  • Wartenberg's Syndrome

  • Intersection Syndrome

  • Median Nerve Entrapment Neuropathies

  • Pronator Teres / Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndromes

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Neuropathies

  • Cubital Nerve Syndrome

  • Guyon Tunnel Syndrome

  • deQuervain's Stenosing Tenosynovitis

  • Bursitis: Sub-acromial, Olecranon

  PATHOLOGIES COVERED:
  MT III: Thoracic Spine & Torso Pain & Dysfunction

  • Scoliosis

  • Kyphosis

  • Facet Joint Syndrome

  • Intercostal Neuralgia

  • Hiatal Hernia

  • Myofascial Chest Wall Syndromes

  • Costosternal Syndrome

  • Sternalis Syndrome

  • Xiphoidalgia

  • Lower Rib Syndromes

  • Nerve Root Irritation & Compression

  • Restricted Breathing

  MMT IV: Lumbar Spine & Hip Pain & Dysfunction

  • Sciatica

  • Nerve Root Irritation

  • Meralgia Paresthetica

  • Trochanteric Bursitis

  • Pseudo-Sciatica Syndrome

  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

  • Lumbar Disc Pathology / Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

  • Mechanical Low Back Pain

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Bursitis: Ischial, Trochanteric

  • Degenerative Disc Disease

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

  • Coccyalgia

  MMT V: Lower Extremity Pain & Dysfunction

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Pseudo-Sciatica

  • Fascia Lata Fasciitis

  • Iliotibial Band Syndrome

  • Meralgia Paresthetica (Burning Thigh Pain)

  • Collateral Ligament Sprain

  • Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome

  • Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper's Knee)

  • Popliteal Tendinitis

  • Knee Plica

  • Chondromalacia Patella (Runner's Knee)

  • Degenerative Arthritis

  • Bursitis

  • Shin Splint Syndrome

  • Compartment Compression Syndrome

  • Ligament Sprain

  • Achilles Tendinosis

  • Heel Pain

  • Plantar Fascitis

  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Mortons's Neuroma / Interdigital

  • Metatarsalgia

  • Hallux Valgus Deformity / Bunion

  • Hallux Rigidus

  • Hammer Toe

  • Mallet Toe

  • Claw Toe

  • Curly Toe

  MMT VI: Physical Assessment & Objective Documentation

  • Review, practice, and documentation of orthopedic physical assessments

  • Active range-of-motion measurements of major joints using a goniometer

  • TMJ measurement using the Tri-Measure

  • Special orthopedic tests

  • Postural assessments

  • Client history and informed consent forms

  • MMT assessment forms

  • Soft tissue treatment (STT) charts

  • SOAP documentation

  • Sample reports for physicians and dentists

   

Develop a versatile repertoire of targeted treatment methods that address musculoskeletal dysfunction, restore mobility, and help clients achieve measurable improvements.

The curriculum includes:

• Neuromuscular Therapy and the Nimmo Receptor-Tonus Technique

• Trigger Point / Neuromuscular Therapy to eliminate referred pain, including trigger point identification and treatment

• Myofascial Release for fascial restrictions, including connective tissue techniques

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) — Active Release, Isometric, Isotonic Concentric, and Isotonic Eccentric Contraction for muscle tone and spasms, including post-isometric relaxation

• Pin-and-Stretch and Active Engagement Techniques

• Joint Mobilization & Orthopedic Manual Therapy Techniques — Passive and Active Range of Motion (PROM, AROM), joint mobilization, mild traction, and gentle articulatory techniques

• Osteopathic Oscillation & Movement-Based Releases for relaxation of articular tension, including rhythmic mobilization

• Skin Rolling & Bindegewebemassage to assess and release subcutaneous adhesions

• Logan Basic Technique

• Basic Swedish Massage (Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction) to manage hypertonicity

• Kinesiology

• Therapeutic Stretching and Muscle-Lengthening Techniques

• Lymphatic Massage

• Specialized Treatment Approaches for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, shoulders, arms, hands, hips, knees, and feet

• Clinical Application — Selecting and combining techniques according to assessment findings and individual client needs

Learn to deliver effective Medical Massage treatments while minimizing the physical demands on your own body. Our approach emphasizes working smarter, not harder, so you can protect your hands, wrists, shoulders, and back while extending your professional career.

The curriculum includes:

• Clothes-on, no-oil treatment methods that eliminate unnecessary social friction including concerns about body image, modesty, undressing, and the sexual associations sometimes attached to traditional massage 

• Side-lying positioning that improves targeted access to the spine, shoulders, hips, and gluteal muscles

• Seated treatment techniques that reduce fatigue and unnecessary physical exertion

• Pulling rather than pushing to reduce compressive stress on the therapist's joints

• Using body weight, leverage, and positioning instead of muscular force

• Thumbsavers and the specially beveled L-bar for applying precise pressure without overloading the thumbs

• Alternatives to repetitive thumb and finger pressure

• Gentle rocking, oscillation, and rhythmic movement rather than sustained force

• Tai Chi and Qigong-inspired principles of movement, balance, and relaxed effort

• Ergonomic positioning of the therapist and client to improve mechanical advantage

• Reducing repetitive strain and cumulative wear on hands, wrists, shoulders, and back

• Developing sustainable treatment habits that support a longer, healthier, and more rewarding career

Learn to document your clinical findings, develop individualized treatment plans, and demonstrate measurable progress. Thorough, professional documentation strengthens your credibility with healthcare providers and helps support insurance reimbursement, including services delivered to veterans through VA Community Care.

The curriculum includes:

• Writing clear, professional SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes

• Recording client health histories, presenting complaints, and relevant clinical findings

• Establishing baseline measurements through postural analysis, range-of-motion testing, and orthopedic assessments

• Developing individualized treatment plans based on assessment findings

• Establishing measurable treatment goals and monitoring progress toward them

• Documenting specific treatment techniques, anatomical areas addressed, and client responses

• Reassessing clients to evaluate treatment effectiveness and guide adjustments

• Comparing objective findings before and after treatment to demonstrate progress

• Tracking functional improvements, pain levels, and changes in mobility

• Maintaining consistent records across multiple treatment sessions

• Recognizing when treatment results indicate a need for referral or further medical evaluation

• Preparing professional progress reports and communicating findings to physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals

• Understanding documentation requirements that support insurance billing, medical necessity, and VA Community Care reimbursement

• Maintaining accurate clinical records that support continuity of care, professional accountability, and third-party reimbursement

Learning individual techniques is only the beginning. Discover how to integrate your clinical knowledge into a systematic approach that delivers measurable client results, builds professional credibility, and creates opportunities for a more successful and rewarding Medical Massage practice.

Putting Your Clinical Skills to Work

• Combine assessment, treatment planning, targeted techniques, and reassessment into a repeatable clinical system.

• Use critical thinking skills to develop individualized treatment strategies rather than relying on memorized routines.

• Educate clients about their conditions, treatment goals, remedial exercises, and self-care.

• Build professional credibility through measurable outcomes, clinical documentation, and effective communication.

Building Your Professional Reputation

• Differentiate your services from traditional relaxation and spa massage by specializing in pain relief, improved mobility, and functional outcomes.

• Develop referral relationships with physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals.

• Attract motivated clients seeking solutions to specific musculoskeletal problems rather than simply shopping for the lowest-priced massage.

• Explore opportunities with healthcare organizations, insurance networks, and VA Community Care programs, subject to credentialing requirements.

Creating a More Sustainable Business

• Build greater potential for economic stability by addressing pain and mobility problems—needs that don't disappear when clients reduce discretionary spending.

• Expand your potential clientele with clothes-on treatments that welcome people uncomfortable undressing for conventional massage.

• Reduce laundry, oil, cleanup, and associated overhead while simplifying room preparation between appointments.

• Gain greater control over your schedule by developing a specialized, appointment-based clinical practice.

• Create opportunities for shorter, focused treatment sessions when clinically appropriate.

• Build a practice that competes on expertise and results rather than price and convenience.

• Reduce physical demands on your body while creating opportunities for a longer, more rewarding career.

The bigger picture: You're not simply adding techniques to your repertoire. You're developing a different way to practice—and potentially a different future for your career.