Get the Skills to Be a Clinical Massage Therapist in Chicago, IL

This course provides an overview of the basic tissues that compose the body, as well as the integumentary, nervous, and endocrine systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy.

16 clock hours, all lecture

This course provides an overview of the cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, respiratory, and reproductive systems as they relate to the practice of clinical massage therapy.

16 clock hours, all lecture

Students apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned in their classroom and clinical courses and demonstrate their ability to perform the common clinical skills required of an entry-level massage therapist in a competency clinic. Attendance is required at the time of the competency clinic test.

16 clock hours, all lab

This course prepares students to work with the public in a faculty-supervised clinical environment. Students review Teaching Clinic and externship policies and procedures, treatment documentation, treatment planning, and professional communication with clients, medical personnel, and colleagues.

12 clock hours: 8 lab, 4 lecture

Students apply their knowledge and clinical skills while working with the public in Soma’s faculty-supervised Teaching Clinic. Qualified students may also participate in externships through Soma’s clinical affiliation with Loyola University’s Norville Center for Intercollegiate Athletics, working with student athletes and medical teams under faculty supervision.

Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of Clinical Education 1.

48 clock hours, all internship/externship hours

This course introduces client intake forms, client history documentation, and posture analysis.

10 clock hours: 5 lab, 5 lecture

This course introduces cervical joint range of motion and orthopedic tests related to clinical massage therapy. Students also study the clinical significance of palpatory findings.

16 clock hours: 10 lab, 6 lecture

This course introduces joint range of motion, palpatory findings, and orthopedic tests for the upper extremity and lumbosacral spine as they relate to clinical massage therapy.

16 clock hours: 10 lab, 6 lecture

This course introduces joint range of motion, palpatory findings, and orthopedic tests for the hip and knee as they relate to clinical massage therapy.

16 clock hours: 10 lab, 6 lecture

Building on skills learned in Clinical Massage Therapy 1, this course introduces trigger point therapy, fascial techniques, lymphatic drainage, neuromuscular techniques, sports massage techniques, and the general protocol used to guide clinical massage therapy treatments.

Students are also introduced to therapeutic hydrotherapy and thermotherapy and apply thermal agents commonly used in clinical settings while observing their physiological effects on the body.

48 clock hours: 34 lab, 14 lecture

This course introduces the principles of Swedish massage therapy. Students practice professional communication, draping, client positioning, health and hygiene practices, and body mechanics.

The course also examines the anatomical and physiological effects of massage, along with indications, precautions, and contraindications for specific massage therapy techniques.

72 clock hours: 52 lab, 20 lecture

Building on Clinical Massage Therapy 1 and Clinical Massage Techniques and Protocols, this course introduces treatment indications, precautions, and contraindications for pathologies of the cervical region.

16 clock hours: 10 lab, 6 lecture

This course focuses on specific soft-tissue pathologies of the upper extremity, trunk, and postural distortion. Students refine specific massage therapy techniques and incorporate them into general treatment protocols.

Students also learn to recognize specific pathologies, develop treatment goals, and implement a massage therapy treatment plan.

40 clock hours: 30 lab, 10 lecture

This course focuses on specific soft-tissue pathologies of the lower extremity. Students refine massage therapy techniques and incorporate them into general treatment protocols for each condition.

Students also learn to recognize specific pathologies, develop treatment goals, and implement a massage therapy treatment plan.

24 clock hours: 18 lab, 6 lecture

This course introduces the principles of movement and explores the relationship between the anatomy and kinesiology of joints and muscles. Students also learn about complications, precautions, and contraindications related to basic therapeutic movement protocols.

The muscles of the upper extremity and trunk are covered in this course.

24 clock hours: 18 lab, 6 lecture

Building on Kinesiology 1, this course continues the study of the relationship between anatomy and the kinesiology of joints and muscles, including complications, precautions, and contraindications for therapeutic movement protocols.

The muscles of the lower extremity are covered in this course.

16 clock hours: 12 lab, 4 lecture

This course provides a detailed overview of the muscles of the upper body and the skeletal and articular systems as they relate to clinical massage therapy.

Students place a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments to locate and assess tissues of the human body.

30 clock hours: 20 lab, 10 lecture

This course provides a detailed overview of the muscles of the trunk as they relate to clinical massage therapy, with a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments.

30 clock hours: 20 lab, 10 lecture

This course provides a detailed overview of the muscles of the lower body as they relate to clinical massage therapy, with a strong emphasis on precise palpation of muscles, tendons, bones, and ligaments.

20 clock hours: 12 lab, 8 lecture

Students learn to identify causes, signs, and symptoms, as well as massage indications and contraindications, for commonly occurring pathological conditions involving the integumentary, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems.

The course also includes a brief introduction to basic CPR and First Aid concepts.

24 clock hours, all lecture

Students learn to identify causes, signs, and symptoms, as well as massage indications and contraindications, for commonly occurring pathological conditions involving the endocrine, immune, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems.

16 clock hours, all lecture

This course introduces the basic processes underlying the functions of major anatomical systems, including cell structure and the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.

Students connect this knowledge to the effects of massage treatments and the selection of appropriate techniques.

16 clock hours, all lecture

This course explores the basic processes underlying major anatomical systems, including the endocrine, lymphatic, digestive, and respiratory systems, so students can better understand the effects of massage treatments and select appropriate techniques.

32 clock hours, all lecture

This course focuses on the professional development of massage therapists and issues affecting contemporary massage therapy practice.

Students are introduced to key ethical issues including scope of practice, informed consent, confidentiality, boundaries, and dual relationships.

10 clock hours, all lecture

This course examines the fundamentals of starting a clinical massage therapy career. Topics include resume writing, interviewing, basic marketing, state licensure, professional insurance, and credentialing requirements.

A final written comprehensive examination also provides preparation for the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

16 clock hours, all lecture