Overview

Courses

Anatomy

TERM 1: 2 credits
TERM 2: 1.5 credits
TERM 4: 1 credit

Anatomy is the study of the structures and function of the human body, in our case with a particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal system. The Term 1 and 2 Anatomy classes provide an essential foundation in preparing students for upcoming courses and clinical experiences. In Term 4 the course focuses on myofascial anatomy, biomechanics and a general review of anatomy studied throughout the program.

Anatomy Lab

TERM 1: 1 credit
TERM 3: ½ credit

The Term 1 course is hands-on and provides an introduction to palpation theory and practice, focusing on location and identification of anatomical structures. In Term 3, the emphasis is on structural mechanics in body usage, with a special focus on locomotion and gait.

Body Awareness

TERM 1: ½ credit

This course introduces students to strategies for developing body awareness, basic principles of body mechanics, and the specific application of these principles to massage therapy practice. Students are guided to develop effective self-care strategies and a foundation of safe work habits for career longevity.

Business

TERM 3: ½ credit
TERM 4: 1 credit

The successful massage therapist is not only a competent clinician, but also a capable business person. In keeping with the diverse career paths our graduates take, the Business courses focus on both employment and self-employment skills. Additionally, these courses cover the legislative and regulatory knowledge required of practicing massage therapists.

Clinical Assessment

TERM 2: ½ credit
TERM 3: 1 credit
TERM 4: ½ credit

The Clinical Assessment courses focus on the skills involved in evaluating patients’ physical complaints and injuries. Along with case history taking, postural assessment, and general observational techniques, students learn the fundamentals of orthopedic and neurological testing protocols.

Hands-On Lab

TERM 1: ½ credit

This course is an experiential one that offers first-term students an opportunity to explore tissues: their textural differences, layers, variations by person and so on, as well as to consider the nature of giving and receiving intentional touch.

Hydrotherapy

TERM 1: ½ credit
TERM 2: ½ credit
TERM 4: ½ credit

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water in its various forms (ice, water, steam), applied at various temperatures and in a number of different ways. Students learn how to choose appropriate hydrotherapy modalities for conditions encountered in clinical practice, how to integrate these modalities into a massage treatment, and how to modify hydrotherapy to meet the specific needs of patients.

Joint Mobilization

TERM 3: 1 credit

This practical course explores joint mechanics with a focus on understanding the dynamics of healthy joints. Students learn effective methods of evaluating and treating joints with subtle movements to help restore and maximize function.

Massage Profession Matters

TERM 1: ½ credit

This course gives Term 1 students an overview of the professional landscape (provincial regulatory body, professional association, and so on) and provides a context early in their education for the subsequent development of massage therapy professional knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values.

Neurology

TERM 2: 1 credit
TERM 3: 1 credit

The nervous system is the control centre of the human body and is an important area of study for all health care fields. Our emphasis is on functional anatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems, neuromuscular physiology, mechanisms of pain creation and relief, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in relaxation and healing.

Nutrition

TERM 4: ½ credit

The mandate of this course is to provide an understanding of the essentials of nutrition, leading to an appreciation of the importance of nutrition in health and healing.

OSCE Prep

TERM 4: ½ credit

This course, which takes place at the end of Term 4, helps prepare the graduating class to successfully challenge their provincial certification exams.

Pathology

TERM 1: ½ credit
TERM 2: 1 credit

Pathology is the study of dysfunction and disease and how they affect the body’s tissues and systems. The Term 1 course introduces this important subject with a focus on core concepts in pathophysiology, laying the foundation for a number of courses in which the students will learn about injuries and conditions that they will encounter in clinical practice. The Term 2 course focuses on common infectious diseases as well as conditions that affect the immune system, the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys and the thyroid.

Physiology

TERM 1: 1½ credits

Physiology is the study of how the body functions at the level of cells, tissues, and organs. This foundation course introduces students to how tissues and body systems work, preparing for subsequent courses that deal with how they are altered by injury and disease, as well as how massage and related modalities interact with the body systems.

Pregnancy Massage

Term 3: ½ credit

Pregnancy is a time when massage therapy offers many physical and emotional benefits. Students learn appropriate treatment goals as well as safety factors related to each trimester of pregnancy and to high-risk pregnancy. This course has both academic and clinical components.

Research Literacy

TERM 3: ½ credit

Research Literacy is an important component of evidence-informed practice. This course provides an introduction to research methods, critical thinking, scientific critical thinking and provides tools required for ongoing practice in research evaluation, critique and application within the profession. Scientific critical thinking and research literacy are lifelong practices and this course will provide the tools necessary to start and continue the practice throughout your massage therapy career.

Sports Massage

TERM 3: ½ credit

This course provides students with practical information and technical skills related to working with athletes. Emphasis is on the application and specialized adaptation of massage approaches in the sports massage context.

Techniques

TERM 1: 2 credits
TERM 2: 1½ credits
TERM 4: ½ credit (Advanced Techniques elective)

The Term 1 course introduces students to the effects, uses, selection, sequencing, and hands-on application of Swedish massage and related techniques. Good practitioner biomechanics, ‘feeling’ and working with body tissues, and giving effective partial and full body massages are all important elements of this foundation course. Emphasizing both theoretical learning and practical competence, Term 1 Techniques prepares students to begin working in the clinical realm. In Term 2, students continue this learning, mastering more advanced skills and complex applications. Emphasis is on technical efficiency and proficiency, expansion and diversification of skills, and development of the student’s own personal style. The Term 4 elective courses allow students to choose a specific area of technical expertise, for example, myofascial techniques, and pursue advanced skills in that area.

Theory & Practice

TERM 2: 1 credit (Cardiovascular)
TERM 2: 2 credits (Musculoskeletal)
TERM 3: 1 credit (Musculoskeletal cont.)
TERM 3: 2 credits (Central Nervous System, Cancer, Ortho/Myo, Diabetes)
TERM 4: 2 credits (Peripheral Nervous System, Respiratory, Reproductive, Mood & Sleep Disorders)
TERM 4: 1 credit (Musculoskeletal cont.)

This series of courses uses a systems-based approach to integrate the knowledge and skills involved in treating conditions and clinical presentations seen in massage therapy practice. The massage therapist must also know how to work compatibly with medical treatment protocols and to adapt to the presence of systemic conditions that alter patient responses to massage treatment. The “T&P” courses amalgamate system pathophysiology, massage treatment principles, condition-specific indications and contraindications, clinical decision-making and treatment design considerations, effective use of manual techniques, and incorporation of other modalities.

Therapeutic Exercise

TERM 3: 1 credit

In this course, students learn the principles behind stretching, strengthening, mobilization, and cardiovascular activity so that they can effectively incorporate therapeutic/remedial exercise prescription into their work with patients. The course also focuses on biomechanical principles and exercise physiology as related to health, injury and repair.

Therapeutic Relationship

TERM 1: 1 credit
TERM 2: 1 credit

These courses focus on development of the verbal and non-verbal skills needed to collaborate effectively with patients and other health care practitioners. Emphasis is placed on listening skills and therapeutic authority (healthy assertion), ethical decision-making, professional boundary-setting, consent, confidentiality, relational issues in the therapeutic relationship, appreciation of diversity, and patient-centred treatment planning.

Clinical Education Overview

Intro to Clinic and Mock Clinic

TERM 1: 1 credit

This course prepares students to begin Student Clinic in Term 2 by introducing them to its policies, routines and expectations. The topics cover a range of clinical proficiencies, for example, blood pressure taking, infection control, case file documentation, and the components of informed consent. The Mock Clinic section of the course simulates Student Clinic, providing opportunities to practice skills and familiarize with routines.

Student Clinic

TERM 2: 1 credit
TERM 3: 1 credit
TERM 4: 1 credit

Student Clinic is an integral part of the learning experience at Sutherland-Chan. Beginning in Term 2, each student does one clinic shift per week, working with members of the general public who have booked appointments to receive massage therapy. Student Clinic provides the opportunity to apply classroom-learned knowledge and skills in a “real life” clinical setting with the guidance of an experienced instructor. In addition to hands-on competence, Student Clinic focuses on developing, learning, and honing skills in communication, assessment, goal-setting, and treatment planning for each patient’s unique presentation.

Specialty Clinics

TERM 3: ½ credit (Massage for Seniors)
TERM 4: 1½ credits (Diverse options to work with complex cases)

In our highly regarded specialty clinic program, second-year students work with patients who have increasingly complex health conditions and life situations. Examples include degenerative neurological disease, brain and spinal cord injuries, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, high risk pregnancy, and recent surgery. Specialty clinics take place either at the school or off-site in a variety of settings, including hospitals. The patients seen in the specialty clinics would often not otherwise be able to access massage therapy for socioeconomic or health-related reasons. The students focus on learning how to adapt treatment plans and establish professional rapport with more diverse types of patients than they encounter in Student Clinic. Specialty rotations demand effective integration and application of learning – students often describe this component of the program as their richest and most challenging educational experience