Institute of Massage Therapies

About Our School

HISTORY AND GOALS OF THE INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE THERAPIES

The Institute of Massage Therapies (IMT) was founded by Pam Loutzenhiser (President) in the fall of 2001 as both a massage clinic and school. Our intent is to provide the community with the highest quality care in the art and science of massage therapy. We seek always to be focused on the highest good of our clients and the highest achievement for our students.

Our goal is to provide our students with superior quality instruction and experiences in our massage therapy certification programs. The course work is founded in up-to-date techniques and current research. Our instructors are highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals who are passionate about teaching. Our program has been approved to operate by the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND PHILOSOPHY

Program Objectives

1. To provide each student with high quality professional education for their mind, hands, and heart.

2. To prepare students to perform massage procedures competently and safely within the scope of massage therapy with an advanced level of awareness of the physiological, psychological and ethical aspects relating to this profession.

3. To prepare students to utilize the principles of massage therapy to bring relief from pain, relaxation of muscles, encourage healing, and maintain optimum health for the human body.

4. To prepare students to have the knowledge and skills for managing a private practice, to work with other healthcare professionals, and to work in a resort or spa facility.

5. To prepare students to further develop their knowledge and skills as a means for professional and personal growth.

6. To prepare students for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork exam.

Philosophy

The growing profession of massage therapy has developed with the surge in interest in complementary and alternative medicine. The strength of many of these systems is recognition of the healing potential of the human body. The intention of the Institute of Massage Therapies is to approach massage therapy as both a science and an art. All health professionals have a mutual interest in reducing or eliminating pain. The nature of massage therapy is such that the client's pain can be addressed within the context of respect for the whole person. We trust the inherent wisdom of the body and seek to provide an optimum environment in which the body can heal itself. The integration of medical science and the art of massage therapy will bring to reality true complementary medicine.

The Institute of Massage Therapies provides professional training in massage therapy with an emphasis on orthopedic massage. Today’s therapists need to have a solid knowledge base in human anatomy and physiology as well as massage theory and skills. But more than that, therapists need to be able to integrate all of this knowledge into a functional whole. There is a need for therapists to be able to work independently and/or with other health care professionals to bring into action effective and caring techniques to achieve client-oriented goals. Massage therapists must be able to select the most appropriate methods within their scope of practice, and develop intuitive skills to enable them to assist each client in self-healing of body, mind, and spirit. The educational program of IMT is specifically designed to facilitate the development and professional growth of the massage therapy student. Textbook knowledge, physical senses, massage skills, and intuition are integrated together into approaches that support the total body/mind/spirit healing processes of their client/patient.

Class size is limited to a maximum of 14 students per massage class. Approximately 50% of the 552-hour program incorporates hands-on experience taught by an instructor.

Graduates of the Institute of Massage Therapies will have the educational tools and experience to establish the needs of the client and to set client-oriented goals for the massage session(s). These goals can vary from relaxation and wellness to reduction of pain and improvement of functioning in daily activities. Graduates will have the confidence to engage in various massage opportunities, including resorts, cruise ships, with athletic teams, clinics, with physicians, physical therapists, in hospitals, or to start their own practice.

CLASS SCHEDULE

In the 12-month program, classes will be held in the evening. Classes will meet Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm for the first six months. The second six months classes will meet Monday and Thursday from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Some Saturday classes will also be scheduled to allow for the holiday schedule. The 12-month program begins after Labor Day each September.

Classes for the 6-month program will be held Monday: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, Wednesday: 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and Thursday: 10:00 am to 2:30 pm. Occasionally Saturday classes may also be scheduled to allow for the holiday schedule. The 6-month program begins in early March and early September.

Anatomy, physiology, and pathology classes are held Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. All other scheduled days and times are the massage classes.

Note: All Students will give a minimum of 10 massages to the public in the student clinic. The student clinic is typically scheduled on selected Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Massage Theory & Practice

Fundamentals of massage are presented in this initial course material. Topics include: History, Professional and Legal Issues, Ethics, Consultation, Record Keeping, Indications and Contraindications for Massage, Draping Skills, Sanitation, Seated Massage, Pre-natal Massage, Geriatric Massage, Sports Massage, and Business Considerations.

Complementary Bodywork Techniques

This portion of the course includes instruction and experiences in: Hydrotherapy, Circulation Enhancement, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Herbology, the Spiritual Connection in Massage, and Introduction to Myofascial Release, Trigger Points, and Neuromuscular Techniques.

Eastern Medical Theories

Students are introduced to various Eastern philosophies including: Polarity, Healing Touch, Cranio-Sacral, Ayurveda, Shiatsu, and Acupressure. A strong emphasis is place on understanding the concepts of the Five Element Theory, meridians, and acu-points as they pertain to traditional western massage.

Integrative Massage

Integrative massage is designed to guide the student in developing his/her personal style of massage techniques. The student is to blend their education, skills, and intuition into a style that meets their clients' individual goals for the session and for subsequent sessions. The realization is that each therapist has individual strengths and talents and these are to be developed. Each client seeking massage is an individual with his/her own special concerns and goals. The role of the therapist is to incorporate his/her skills and intuition into a professional approach to promote wellness for each individual client. Students will work several massages in class as well as work with ten additional practice clients in the student clinic which is scheduled on selected Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons.

Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology

All human body systems are studied in this course. The student will learn the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the body from cells, tissues, organs, and systems as they relate to health and disease (pathology). Students will have an understanding of how the body functions in health and what the causes and effects of disease processes are. They will learn in what conditions massage is beneficial and when to refer a client to another health-care professional. Massage therapists must keep the client's health and well being foremost in mind, as people will often seek massage therapy without a physician referral of prescription. While direct access is a wonderful opportunity for the client and massage therapist alike, there is an increased responsibility that comes with it.

Advanced Muscular Anatomy & Kinesiology

An essential requirement for the development of excellent palpation skills is a clear mental image of musculoskeletal structures. Therefore it is necessary to study extensively the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system. Skeletal structure and landmarks, muscular attachments, fiber direction, and function will be studied. Kinesiology, the study of the principles relating specifically to action of individual muscles of the human body, will be taught. We begin with knowledge, progress to a mental image, and then train the students' hands to "see" the tissues that are the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopedic Assessment and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Conditions

Students are provided with the tools and problem solving methods for systematically assessing musculoskeletal conditions of their clients (athletes, people who have been injured, repetitive stress syndromes). These skills will assist a therapist in determining how massage should be used, methods for condition management, and methods of evaluation to obtain measurable results. Advanced skills such as trigger point work, myofascial release techniques (methods to reduce restrictions created by shortened connective tissue and scar tissue), and neuromuscular techniques (how to very specifically release and lengthen contracted muscles) will be developed and practiced in depth during this portion of the program. Orthopedic assessment skills provide a pathway for students to take a medically oriented approach to soft-tissue pain and dysfunction.

Institute Of Massage Therapies
"Become A Massage Therapist In 6 Months!"

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