Anatomy & Physiology:
(129 Hours)
A comprehensive and in-depth course covering all of the systems of the body. Special attention
will be placed on the muscular and skeletal systems. You will exit this program with a thorough and empowering knowledge
of the body’s structure and function.
Pathology: (42 Hours)
This course explores the dis-ease of the human body. Focus will be on diseases and musculoskeletal conditions commonly
encountered by massage therapists. Injury rehabilitation and structural asymmetries will be addressed as well as pathologies
for each system of the body.
Swedish Massage: (60 Hours)
Swedish is
the foundation of all massage work. This class will provide you with a safe and nurturing environment with which to
begin your exploration into touch, energy, and massage. You will learn the history and theory of therapeutic massage, as well
as the strokes and joint mobilizations which characterize Swedish massage. Body mechanics and endangerment sites
will be learned and observed as you give and receive massage each day.
Neuromuscular Therapy: (150
Hours)*
This is a comprehensive and detailed course. Clinical in nature, it will provide you with the basic
techniques required to be an effective and highly skilled therapist. You will learn how myofascial pain and dysfunction
manifests in the body, how structural asymmetries affect muscle tone and cause myofascial pain, and how to correct these dysfunctions
in the body. NMT is based on specific laws and principles. After exploring and understanding these principles,
the hands on lessons will teach indications, contraindications, trigger point referrals, specific muscle treatments, as well
as how the body is affected as a whole.
Advanced NMT: (30 hours)*
In
this course you will learn to treat Temporomandibular Joint dysfunciton as well as learn structural integration techniques
which will allow you to assess your client structurally and make a clear plan of action for treatment. This advanced
course takes all that you learned in NMT and incorporates it into a complete and highly effective treatment.
Hot
Stone: (6 Hours)
This treatment is very often utilized in spa settings. It
is an extremely relaxing therapy. The use of hot basalt stones allows for an effective and deeply therapeutic treatment.
You will learn the basics on how to give a professional full body hot stone treatment, as well as how to incorporate the stones
into a more clinical session. The stones are a very effective tool when treating specific issues.
Craniosacral
Therapy: (18 Hours)
This course will provide you basic understanding of the anatomy
and treatment of the craniosacral system. It is based on the program developed by John Upleger. Craniosacral therapy
uses light touch to affect body structures. It is a powerful therapy designed to balance the craniosacral structure
and rhythm within the membrane thus normalizing body structure and function.
Chair Massage:
(3 Hours)
The client is fully clothed and massage is performed on the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
This is a useful skill to have for community events, self promotion, or it can be turned into an on-site business.
Allied
Modalities: (27 Hours)
You will be introduced to many different modalities which
will both inspire and educate. Guest experts will come to teach about such things as Kinesiology, Lymphatic massage,
Myofascial Release, Energy Medicine, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and mind.body.spirit. integration. You will also experience
additional healthcare professionals to learn how massage can complement other forms of treatment. These classes are scheduled
according to guest speaker availability. Topics covered may vary.
Hydrotherapy: (6
Hours)
This hands on course will teach you the proper use of hot packs, cold packs and contrast therapies.
These are valuable tools to add to your practice when resolving specific myofascial issues.
Ethics:
(6 Hours)
Learn why it is important to practice with principle. There are standards that should be maintained,
not only to protect you and your clients, but to maintain the integrity of the massage industry as a whole. Focus will
be on boundaries, professionalism, integrity and confidentiality
Nutrition: (12
Hours)
How does what we consume manifest itself in our body? Our mind? Our spirit? Learn how
nutrition relates to massage therapy. This course is designed to empower you with tools necessary to make the right choices
for you and your health. By example you can teach others.
Business: (12 Hours)
This class will provide you with the tools necessary to start and run your own practice, as well as guidelines
to help you gain employment in professional offices. Topics include industry standards, marketing, business plans, brochures,
business cards, and accounting. In addition to our class room work, you will be learning hands-on skills in our Student
Clinic. Our goal is to teach you the professionalism it takes to achieve success and give you a realistic view of what
is required to build a successful practice.
National Exam Review: (3 Hours)
Georgia Mountains School of Massage is dedicated to fully preparing you to pass national certification.
This class will specifically review each category covered in the National Exam.
Community Events:
(3 events required)
This is a substantial "plus" for GMSM students. While you will be
required to attend just three (3) community events scheduled by the school, students serious about building their clientele
will volunteer for as many community events as practical within their busy schedules. These events allow you to
you develop your "practice building" skills, even as you are giving back to your community while further honing
your clinical skills.
CPR/First Aid: (6 Hours)
Cardio-Pulmonary
Resuscitation taught by American Red Cross certified instructors. You will earn certification in CPR from the ARC.
Working in some settings, such as athletic events, medical-clinical, or even in a luxurious spa or at-home private session,
the worst-case scenario might involve someone requiring immediate CPR. Knowing what to do in such a situation may prove
a life-saving and life-changing event. A definite "PLUS" for GMSM students!
Student Clinic:
90 Total Hours (20 Hours Front Desk Administration; 70 Treatment Hours)
This is where you
take all that you have learned and put it into practice. It’s where you begin to apply all you’ve learned
and begin to see the rewards of your chosen profession. The powerful impact you can and will have upon the lives and
well-being of others.
Under LMT supervision, you will be treating the general public. You will
be provided with a private treatment room in the Georgia Mountains School of Massage Student Clinic. Students are expected
to take client histories and record proper SOAP notes for each client.
Pre- and post reviews with dedicated clinic
supervisors will add invaluable depth to the classroom and hands-on training that precedes and prepares you thoroughly for
this experience.
Students will develop and refine their practice-building skills which will be essential to their
success in the 'real world'. Faculty and administration support will be ongoing. The student clinic has
an established clientele to supplement the efforts of each student. However, as with the academic curriculum, it is
each student's responsibility to complete clinical requirements.
(Note: 20 Hours Front Desk Administration):
These initial student clinic hours are designed
to introduce the student to the real world “business” of massage. You will be involved in
telephone etiquette, scheduling appointments, receiving and posting payments, advertising projects, patient file administration and
other duties necessary in running a massage office.
* Our 500 hour program earns you certification in Massage Therapy,
and includes just 80 hours of NMT. The 500 hour program does not earn you the separate NMT
certification. The 600 hour program includes 180 hours of NMT and earns the graduate both certifications. GMSM
does offer a separate NMT certification program for anyone who has successfully completed a qualifying 500+ hour massage
program. Please call for details.
