Training

Massage Therapy Training

Welcome! At St. Louis Body Mind Center we feel that we have developed the best training program available anywhere in massage and bodywork. It is designed to allow you to take your study of this profession as far as you wish. If your desire is to learn relaxation massage in order to serve your clients with the ability to remove stress and restore calm, then this course of study will fully prepare you for that career path. If you wish to continue your studies so that you are capable of using bodywork as a means of restoring health and repairing soft tissue damage, to understand the body and its design, structure and function, and to learn the skills required to be a successful business person, then this program will equip you to achieve those goals as well.

Our program is a professional program designed by a licensed therapist with over 25 years of experience in the field. We promise to train you in what you need to know to be successful. Your part is to apply yourself fully to the study of this program. If you combine those two components, you cannot fail. There is no extraneous information here. The program is not "padded" in order to meet time requirements imposed by outside agencies. We focus on what is required to be successful as a body worker.

The program is divided into three parts. You may progress as far as you wish in order to achieve your particular goals. Look over the curriculum. If what you see looks interesting to you then contact us for an evaluation appointment to determine if we are right for each other. We look forward to being a life changing experience for the right people. We are excited about what we have to offer. We hope you will be too!

Introductory Phase

Body Basics: 5 classroom hours of study. (Anatomy and Physiology)

The inflammatory response will be discussed as well as indications and contraindications of massage and endangerment sites. The class is designed to make the student aware of precautions necessary for safe application of Swedish massage.

Basic Massage Technique: 100 classroom hours of study. (Theory and Practice)

This class will develop manual skills in the student to allow them to excel in Swedish massage technique. The five basic types of manipulations will be covered as well as their effects on the body. Proper body mechanics will be learned to allow the student to practice massage safely for a lifetime of work. In addition, Esalen style applications will be practiced in order to allow the student to employ techniques that will emphasize the highly relaxing and soothing aspects of massage.

Ethics and the Law: 10 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

This class guides the student through the responsibilities and obligations of being a Massage Therapist. All aspects of establishing and maintaining a proper therapeutic relationship with your clients will be covered. Local and regional laws that relate to the profession will be discussed.

The Business of Massage: 10 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

In this class the student will discuss and be exposed to a variety of ways in which they can work in the field. We will also discuss record-keeping methods, the ambiance of the room, necessary equipment, fielding phone calls, setting appointments and other relevant topics.

Marketing: 10 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

This class will prepare the student to effectively market themselves in order to build a clientele. All aspects and considerations of business cards, brochures, websites and advertising will be covered. The concept of target markets will also be discussed.

Weekday session: 6 weeks, 3 days
Weekend session: 13 1/2 weekends.

This ends the introductory phase of study. At this point, the student will be prepared to work as a masseuse or masseur in a spa setting or to pursue their own career in relaxation massage. The cost of this phase, which includes a primary text and a massage table, is $1,750.00. If a table is not required then the tuition is reduced to $1,450.00.

Intermediate Phase

Basic A & P: 20 classroom hours of study. (Anatomy and Physiology)

This class offers an introduction to the following systems: integumentary, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary and reproductive, as well as the cellular level of the body. Students will also learn directional terminology, body planes, and movement terms.

Basic Skeletal and Muscular System: 20 classroom hours of study. (A&P)

Focus will be placed on these two very important systems for body workers. The names of the bones will be studied as well as the joints. The names of the muscles will also be emphasized.

Kinesiology: 40 classroom hours of study. (Anatomy and Physiology)

In this class the student will learn the action of the major muscles of the body as well as their attachment sites. The goal will be to instill an understanding of muscular movement concepts so that assessment of movement difficulties in clients may be readily performed in an accurate and professional way.

General Pathology: 20 classroom hours of study. (Pathology)

Basic pathological conditions of all body systems will be discussed with specific reference as to their implications for massage therapy.

Body Trails: 10 classroom hours of study. (Anatomy and Physiology)

This hands-on class will cover the joints and bony landmarks of the skeletal system as well as the location of the muscles. The emphasis here is on developing a familiarity with the body in order to facilitate treating soft tissue problems.

Advanced Massage Technique: 100 classroom hours of study. (Theory and Practice)

This class will round out the applicant's knowledge of manual techniques. Methods of alleviating or eliminating physical pain and discomfort will be focused upon. Students will learn and practice incorporating into their massage, the following modalities: deep tissue / trigger point, muscle energy technique, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release and unwinding, passive joint movement, and Schulman therapy.

Getting and Keeping Clients: 10 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

Items discussed will be intake forms, SOAP notes, client interaction and specific methods of maintaining a healthy client base and business.

Weekday session: 11 weeks
Weekend session: 22 weekends

This ends the intermediate phase of study. The goal of this level is to bring the student to a professional level of understanding regarding the muscles of the body and to enhance their skills at manual technique. The cost of this phase, which includes one additional text, is $2300.00.

Final Phase

Postural Evaluation and Testing: 20 classroom hours of study. (Theory and Practice)

In this class the student will learn the art of postural evaluation. By returning to many of the bony landmarks studied previously, we will now learn to evaluate the feet, knees, hips, spine and shoulders and determine if there are imbalances causing soft tissue dysfunction. We will also learn muscle tests to evaluate range of motion and identify specific muscular problems.

The Shoulder: 35 classroom hours of study: 10 hours A&P, 10 hours Pathology, 15 hours Theory and Practice

In this class the student will take an in-depth look at the shoulder girdle and joint. We will cover all ligaments, muscles and their tendinous attachments, actions, common pathologies and their treatments using all techniques learned.

The Arm: 25 classroom hours of study: 5 hours A&P, 5 hours Pathology, 15 hours Theory and Practice

This class will cover the same items as above as they pertain to the arm, focusing on the elbow and wrist.

The Hip: 25 classroom hours of study: 5 hours A&P, 5 hours Pathology, 15 hours Theory and Practice

Following the same format, the student will now focus on all aspects of the pelvis and hip joint.

The Knee and Ankle: 25 classroom hours of study: 5 hours A&P, 5 hours Pathology, 15 hours Theory and Practice

Once more the above criteria will be used, now focusing on the lower appendage.

The Spine: 35 classroom hours of study: 10 hours A&P, 10 hours Pathology, 15 hours Theory and Practice

We complete the study of the specific areas of the body and their pathologies by focusing on the spinal column.

Taking Care of Business: 5 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

Here we discuss concepts of personal and office hygiene. Necessary actions to maintain a clean and inviting space where clients will feel comfortable and safe. We will also discuss insurance and areas of concern for the therapist.

Communication and Medical Terminology: 10 classroom hours of study. (Clinical / Business)

This class will introduce the student to basic communication theory and models. The importance of listening will be emphasized with specific examples of potential situations. Medical terminology will be studied while its necessity in a medical environment will be noted.

HIV / AIDS: Understanding the Problem: 5 classroom hours of study. (A&P)

In this final class we will cover all aspects of HIV. The following topics will be covered: etiology and epidemiology, transmission and infection control, testing and counseling, clinical manifestations and treatment, legal and technical issues, and psychosocial issues.

Weekday session: 9 weeks, 1 day
Weekend session: 18 1/2 weekends

This ends the final phase of the program. The cost of this phase, which includes one additional text, is $1,950.00. At this point the student will have completed 540 hours of training and will be a certified massage therapist. The cost of the entire program, including table and three texts, totals $6,000.00. Continued pursuit of knowledge is encouraged, and the therapist will be encouraged to maintain contact with the Center. All classes may be retaken by the therapist at no charge. The Center will endeavor to support and assist the therapist in any way that it can.

Meditation Instruction

Making meditation a part of your daily life can lead to good health, happiness and fulfillment. It isn't magic, it's simply a way to gain some control over your emotions and attitudes and allow you to direct your life where you want it to go.

Our training consists of a one-day session lasting approximately 5 hours. Various forms of meditation will be explored and practiced. We also consider what you need to do to ensure your success in this endeavor. At the end of the session you will have all of the tools and skills necessary to pursue the art of meditation and enjoy a more optimistic, joyful existence.

The cost of the session is $50.00.