MTTI

Basic 720 Hour Curriculum

MTTI Course Descriptions

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Anatomy: The Structure, or study of structure, of the body and the relation of its parts to each other.  This course will cover the human skeletal (bone) structure and all soft-tissue and the function of same.

Physiology: The science that deals with the functions of an organism or its parts.  This course will cover the human organism’s eleven major systems.  Specifically: Integumentary System; Skeletal System; Muscular System; Nervous System; Endocrine System; Cardiovascular System; Lymphatic and Immune Systems; Respiratory System; Digestive System; Urinary System; and, Reproductive System.

Kinesiology: The Study of the movement of the body parts.  This course is perhaps one of the more critical courses in order for the students to fully understand the human musculoskeletal system, how it functions along with its limitations.

Kinesiology-Muscle Energy Techniques: Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) is a procedure that involves a voluntary contraction of a patient’s muscle in a precisely controlled direction, at varying levels of intensity, against a distinctly executed counterforce applied by the therapist.  These techniques are widely recognized as an effective approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction. This course explains the use of MET for whole muscle problems, local dysfunction and joint restrictions.  The student learns the safe use of MET in acute, chronic and rehabilitation settings.

Kinesiology-Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): Utilizing a training video MTTI created, the specific stretches developed by Aaron A. Mattes are taught along with corresponding Strengthening Exercises.

Kinesiology-Positional Release Techniques: Positional Release Techniques (PRT) are gentle manual treatments for muscle pain and spasm which involve resetting muscle tone and enhancing circulation.  This course involves detailed, step-by-step use of PRT manual methods.  The student will understand that the value and importance of PRT lies in their noninvasive nature, their ease of application, and their potential for instant response in cases of acute spasm and pain. 

Pathology: Pathology is the study of functional and structural changes caused by disease.  A focus of this course will be to give the student an overall understanding of potential causes of functional and structural changes in order for the student to better determine when a referral of a patient to other health care professionals is appropriate and/or to determine when and how Massage Therapy is appropriate.

Pathology-Contraindications of Massage: Contraindication is any condition that renders a particular treatment improper or undesirable or when cautions concerning treatment exist and supervision is required.  The student learns the twelve primary parts of the body they are to approach with extreme caution, where endangerment sites are located, why these regional body sites are considered an endangerment site and which nerves, arteries and veins are located in each of the sites.

Pathology-Functional Assessment: The textbook utilized in this course is Orthopedic Assessment in Massage Therapy by Whitney Lowe.  Lowe uses the H.O.P.S. method of soft-tissue assessment, i.e. History, Observation, Palpation and Special Orthopedic Tests.  Utilizing the H.O.P.S. method fully 88 specific orthopedic difficulties are assessed and treated.

Pathology-Pharmacology: Pharmacology & Massage Therapy is divided into three sections: The first section explores the physiologic and chemical changes in the body from drug therapy and massage therapy and how the interact when used together. The second section focuses on the fundamental principles of pharmacology including how drugs are named, how they are created and the different routes by which drugs can be administered. The third section covers alternative treatments such as homeopathy, herbs, aromatherapy, vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Pathology-Asian Medicine and Energy Modalities: This course covers needed aspects of oriental theories and is designed to be an introductory course.  The course is designed to give students a basic understanding of oriental theories in terms of meridians, the concept of Yin/Yang, and the Five Element theory.

Pathology-Orthopedic Massage Therapy: Orthopedics is the branch of medical science that deals with prevention or correction of disorders involving loco motor structures of the body, especially the skeleton, joints, muscles, fascia and other supporting structures such as ligaments and cartilage.  Orthopedic massage integrates knowledge of pain and injury conditions with an understanding of the function of various massage techniques.  There are four component parts that characterize the system of orthopedic massage: (1) orthopedic assessment; (2) matching the physiology of the tissue injury with the physiological effects of treatment; (3) treatment adaptability; and (4) understanding the rehabilitation protocol.

Pathology-Structural Analysis and Prescriptive Exercises: This is the first of three courses where the student is required to learn how to assess a patient’s posture.  Starting at the feet, then ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, neck and position of head they will begin to learn about how certain postures lead to pathological conditions that eventually lead to pain. In class a plumb line with horizontal lines as a backdrop will be utilized in order to assess each others posture.  Utilizing the Egoscue Method each student will determine which of four general structural conditions each classmate fits into.  From determining the specific structural condition the students will practice specific movement/exercises that can be prescribed to address the identified condition.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Swedish Massage: Swedish Massage was developed in the early 19th century.  Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor, became known as both the father of Swedish Massage and the father of physical therapy.  In this course the student will learn the five basic massage strokes or movements used to administer a Swedish massage.  They are effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration.

Sports Massage: Sports Massage consists of specific massage techniques and applications designed to enhance athletic performance consisting of Pre and Post event massage.  This course involves common athletic injury assessment and treatment, injury prevention and restorative massage for improved recovery time following athletic events and training.

Side-Lying Massage: This is basically Swedish Massage strokes utilized when the client is lying on their side.  Given that people present with a variety of physical limitations that prevent them from comfortably lying on their back or stomach for long periods of time (to include expectant mothers–to-be during their 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy) the side-lying position while performing massage is an alternative approach complete with it’s own specific protocols.  Consequently, a whole-body massage routine is taught to the student.

Pre-Natal and Infant Massage: Pre-Natal Massage is essentially Side-Lying massage with an emphasis on the specific needs of pregnant women.  Infant Massage:  Students are shown videos of infants being massaged.  Based on the non-availability of enough infants, students are encouraged to find a child to practice on in order to teach new parents how to perform infant massage.
Seated Massage: This is essentially Swedish strokes performed on a person who is seated in a Massage Chair.  Protocols for three regions of the body are learned in this course: Back and Neck; Shoulder area, and the Forearm, Wrist and Hand.

Clinical Internship:  - Student Clinic
Students will begin performing massages on the public after 5 weeks of class. Clinic massages are scheduled outside of class and are to be performed on the student’s own time. Clinic hours are generally scheduled Monday – Sunday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM but may vary based on the availability of instructor supervision, student and client needs, school activities and holidays. The Internship massages are performed at MTTI Clinic. MTTI will charge a nominal fee for room rental for each massage. Students may accept gratuities. State regulations require that Internships are in school clinics with a Registered Instructor in attendance. The Internship allows the students to seek out potential clientele that will follow them after they graduate. As part of the 150 required hours of instruction, students must attend 2 hours of clinic orientation. Students are required to perform 20 massages per month, including 25 Signature Swedish massages, 15 Side-Lying massages, 15 Lymphatic massages, and 65 Combination/Advanced Technique Massages for a total of 120 massages. In addition, students are also required to massage and be evaluated by their instructors and school administrators.

Clinical Externship:  - Athletic Clinic
Using the general massage skills learned at MTTI, along with skills for performing Sports Massage, students will do their 16 hour Externship on campus at New Mexico State University’s Athletic Department. MTTI has a Massage Room next to the Athletic Trainer’s facilities. Referrals are made by the head Athletic Trainer. A Registered Instructor from MTTI will be in attendance. SOAP Notes on each of the athletes receiving services must be written after each treatment. Each student will be required to participate at the university a minimum of 4 scheduled afternoons (16 Hours). Externship clinics generally run from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM two days of the week during the college semester.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage: This is a full body superficial massage designed to help drain the lymphatic system.  Both video and personal demonstrations are the methods utilized to teach this particular massage modality.  The protocol for performing MLD is designed to drain this one-way system of excess body fluids.  The lymphatic system is a complementary system for the circulatory system.  The student will explore the structures, functions and pathways of the lymphatic system and how to provide a Lymphatic Massage to promote effective drainage of the lymph system.

Myofascial Release (MFR): In addition to lecture format where fascia is defined, described and discussed along with how fascia affects the body, focus is placed on how fascia can be effectively addresses.  Approximately 75 different protocols are demonstrated and practiced by the class participants in order to gain an understanding of the histology and biomechanics of myofascia, myofascial pain syndrome and dysfunction associated with myofascial pain.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT): This course teaches the physiological and pathophysiological relationship between the nervous system and the muscular system and the application of specific techniques which effectively treat soft tissue pain and dysfunction by addressing: ischemia, trigger points, nerve entrapment and compression, postural distortion and biomechanical dysfunction

Elderly Massage and Massage for Diabetics: Utilizing video tapes produced by DAY-BREAK Geriatric Massage Project and created by Dietrich W. Miesler, M.A. CMT, the students are taught how to work on elderly clients with the knowledge and support of the client’s physician whenever necessary.  Both technologies and applications that are learned are designed to reverse peripheral vascular problems.  Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) Protocol will be taught.

Foot Reflexology: Reflexology originated over 5000 years ago and can be traced from many countries from India to Japan. In the United States reflexologists can provide stress reduction through relaxation and improved circulation. It is popular because the client does not have to disrobe. In this class the student will learn the theory, body zones, landmarks and reflexes, basic techniques, treatment guidelines, and history of reflexology.

GENERAL INSTRUCTION

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the internal and external use of water and complementary agents.  While our faculty emphasizes the use of drinking water as a means to flushing out the body’s systems, this course deals specifically with external uses of heated and cooled water applications and their benefits.  The student will learn the efficacy of when to utilize Moist Heat, Cryotherapy, Sauna Bath, Whirlpool Bath and Hot Herbal Tub Soak Baths. 

Hydrotherapy-Stone Massage: Students will learn to apply hot and cold stones into massage therapy routine. Topics include history, physiologic effects, equipment safety and use, different kinds of stones, contraindications, and proper stone use for efficiency and client safety.

The Business of Massage: A general understanding of business practices will be covered in this course along with an understanding about how to effectively work with third party insurance carriers.  Additionally, the students are provided a plan of how to effectively pay off debts and how to save money for their retirement.  This portion of the program briefly covers tax laws and requirements.

Professional Ethics: This course covers professional standards, boundaries and ethics which define how each of us relate to our practice of massage therapy including the component of a code of ethics, client/therapist confidentiality, state laws governing Code of  Professional Conduct to include NM 16.7.2.8, licensure and ethical practice and business management, boundaries, dynamics of effective communication, dual relationships, supervision, sex, touch and intimacy. The overall subject of ethics is covered at the beginning of the Course of Study in massage over a period of several days and again in detail near the end of the program. However, Ethical issues are discussed throughout the six-month Course of Study either as issues arise or whenever it is deemed appropriate by the faculty.

First Aid & Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): Before graduation students are required to provide proof of having taken these two courses either from the American Red Cross or the National Heart Association.  Whenever possible, MTTI arranges to have these courses taught on a Saturday here at our school.  Eight hours of credit is awarded toward graduation from MTTI for completion of these two courses and is a state requirement by New Mexico State Licensure Law.

General Theory of Massage Therapy: This course consists of the history of massage; tools of the trade; what’s involved in creating a massage environment; health, hygiene, sanitation and safety standards; professional communication; overview of what is involved in conducting an assessment; how to prepare documentation in the form of SOAP Notes; the science of table and body mechanics; classification of Swedish movements; adaptive strategies in massage for clients who have special needs, and client management issues.

Applied Psychology: This course was developed to help young adults develop both a level of maturity and study skills that can give them an advantage. To get students to focus on goals and the actions to accomplish their goals MTTI has elected to utilize the principles outlined in the book “Step by Step to College and Career Success”. These assignments relate to having the students identify how they want to effectively structure their time, or do the required work involved with school, or develop a plan for success after graduating from school. Copies of Tony Robbins “Personal Power” CD series are available for students to check out if they want additional motivation and empowerment techniques.