Dec 26, 2024  
2024-2025 College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 College Catalog

TMA 201IN - Therapeutic Massage Practices I

6 Credits, 9 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 6 lab periods
Principles of professionalism, ethics, and legalities. Includes use of terminology related to massage therapy; applications, indications, and contraindications of the nine strokes of Swedish massage; and study of the human osseous and muscular structure. Also includes emphasis on normal movement patterns, origins, insertions, and functions of the muscular system.

Prerequisite(s):  TMA 120  
Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply concepts of massage therapy modalities and the anatomical relationships to these modalities.
  2. Demonstrate basic manual skills and techniques of massage therapy.

Performance Objectives:
  1. Identify and apply Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations appropriate to the program. 
  2. Use the Personal Performance Competencies to demonstrate self-awareness and self-assessment skills. 
  3. Describe the ethical responsibilities of a massage therapist as they relate to the influence of touch, intention, and intuition during massage. 
  4. Apply principles of professional, ethical, and legal behavior.
  5. Describe respect and trust as related to the massage therapist/client relationship.
  6. Use appropriate touch in establishing boundaries related to the client/massage therapist relationship.
  7. Follow procedure for massage preparation.
  8. Follow regulations related to hygiene, sanitation, and safety.
  9. Complete a health history interview and assess a client before, during, and after a massage.
  10. Document treatment sessions using universal Subjective Objective Assessment Plan (SOAP) formatting.
  11. Drape a client appropriately.
  12. Apply centering and grounding when performing a massage.
  13. Use proper breathing techniques during massage.
  14. Use correct body mechanics when performing a massage.
  15. Describe the structure and function of primary tissue types, organ systems, and body cavities.
  16. Use terminology related to body position/postural alignment and joint motion.
  17. Define anatomical planes of motion and perform the joint motions in each plane.

Outline:
  1. HIPAA
    1. Overview
    2. Regulations
    3. Applications
      1. Procedures
      2. Documentation
    4. Other
  2. Personal Performance Competencies
    1. Types
      1. Comprehension
      2. Persistence
      3. Self-confidence
      4. Judgment
      5. Communication
      6. Attempts to improve
      7. Cooperation
      8. Acceptance of criticism
      9. Quality of work
      10. Punctuality/attendance
      11. Professional appearance
      12. Knowledge
      13. Organization of work
      14. Integrity
      15. Relationships with others
    2. Self-awareness skills
    3. Self-assessment skills 
  3. Principles of Professional, Ethical and Legal Behavior
    1. Ethical behavior
      1. Respecting boundaries
        1. Self
        2. Intention
        3. Intuition
        4. Touch
        5. Other
      2. Right of refusal
      3. Informed consent
      4. Confidentiality
      5. Sexual misconduct
      6. Scope of practice
    2. Legal behavior
      1. Scope of practice
      2. Other
    3. Professional behavior
  4. Client/Massage Therapist Relationship
    1. Respect and trust
      1. Professional relationship
        1. Reliability
        2. Consistency
        3. Confidentiality
        4. Demeanor
      2. Rapport
      3. Communication
      4. Scope of practice
    2. Establishing boundaries
      1. Touch
      2. Intention
      3. Quality of touch
      4. Effects
  5. Therapist Preparation for Massage
    1. Client preparation
      1. Equipment
        1. Table
        2. Body supports
        3. Draping
        4. Lubricants
        5. Other
      2. Setting up the environment
        1. Temperature
        2. Music
        3. Lighting
        4. Other
      3. Focusing/centering/grounding
        1. Deep breathing
        2. Techniques for quieting the mind
        3. Stretching
        4. Being present
        5. Follow a ritual
      4. Draping of client
        1. Materials
        2. Privacy
        3. Techniques
      5. Hygiene/Sanitation/Safety
        1. Personal health
        2. Appearance
        3. Hygiene
        4. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requirements
        5. Universal precautions
        6. Prevention/control
    2. Health History
      1. Interview
      2. Form
      3. Informed consent
      4. Physician referral
    3. Massage Documentation (SOAP Format)
      1. Subjective evaluation
        1. Previous massage experience
        2. Expectations
        3. Probing questions
      2. Objective evaluation
        1. Palpation
        2. Range of motion
        3. Visual assessment
      3. Assessment
        1. Tissue change
        2. Client reaction/response
      4. Plan of Action
        1. Physician orders
        2. Client goals
        3. Client education
        4. Future appointments
  6. Massage Procedure
    1. Body position of client
      1. Supine
      2. Sidelying
      3. Prone
      4. Seated
    2. Sequence
      1. Supine
      2. Sidelying
      3. Prone
      4. Seated
    3. Body mechanics
      1. Stance
      2. Posture
      3. Leverage
      4. Balance
      5. Assistive devices
      6. Positioning
      7. Breathing
      8. Other
    4. Continuous assessment skills
      1. Client reaction/interaction
      2. Tissue change
      3. Breathing rate
      4. Range of motion changes
    5. Massage completion
      1. Time-to-go ritual
      2. Follow-up instructions
  7. Structure and Function
    1. Primary tissue type
    2. Organ systems
    3. Body cavities
  8. Descriptive Terminology
    1. Body position/posture alignment
    2. Joint motion
    3. Body regions
  9. Anatomical Planes of Motion and Joint Movements
    1. Definition
    2. Performance


Effective Term:
Fall 2023