Here is a complete list of the courses provided at Charter College of Health and Massage Therapy. I brief description is provided for each course as well as the course's hours and abbreviation. The courses have been divided into the following categories:

Massage Therapy Certificate Program
Course Descriptions

Massage Therapy I (88 hours, MT I)
In Massage Therapy I, the student will be introduced to the history of massage, the different forms of therapy, and the reason each form is used. The student will learn proper draping techniques and the importance of client comfort. Oils, lotions, gels, and creams will be experimented with and talked about. Aromatherapy will be introduced as a way to enhance massage oils. The student will learn proper body mechanics to keep his/her own body free from pain while giving massage. The benefits, contraindications, and universal precautions of massage therapy will be discussed in detail. Students will learn to use charting and record keeping for each client. Swedish massage, the most well known form of massage therapy, is taught in this segment as well. Students will learn the hands-on techniques and the theory behind Swedish massage. Each student will give and receive several instructor supervised Swedish massages during this time.

Anatomy & Physiology I (32 hours, A&P I)
In Anatomy and Physiology I, medical terminology is taught, enabling the individual to properly communicate within the medical community. In addition, mastering medical terminology allows the student to understand the material presented in the massage therapy courses more completely. This class will give students a basic foundation of anatomical and physiological knowledge. The integumentary, skeletal, and muscular systems will be studied.

First Aid and CPR (8 hours)
The Student will be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency procedures.

Business and Ethics (16 hours, B&E)
This class will teach the student the value of professionalism and personal integrity in the massage business. The code of ethics for various organizations, including NCBTMB, AMTA, and ABMP, will be discussed. Client discretion and confidentiality, as well as professional boundaries, will be taught. It will enable the massage therapist to appropriately and professionally handle ethical issues. The scope of practice for a massage therapist will be specified. State legislation and taxes will also be reviewed.

Kinesiology (72 hours, KIN)
Kinesiology is the study of human movement. The student will learn the origin, insertion, and action of each muscle. This information will be used to properly assess each client’s range of motion and gait. The information in this course will be applied in all advanced massage techniques.

Oriental Approach (24 hours, ORIEN)
This course introduces the student to the eastern philosophy of health. It will cover yin/yang, the five-element theory, the 7 major chakras, energy and polarity concepts, and the meridians of the body.

HIV/AIDS Education (4 hours)
This course addresses the signs, symptoms, and causes of the disease. It will give a thorough understanding of how to relate to these clients, the contraindications and benefits of massage therapy, and universal precautions specifically for the disease.

Massage Therapy II (80 hours, MT II)
This course will take the basic relaxation massage, learned in Massage Therapy I, to the next level. It takes the student through in-depth client assessment, using gait patterns, Range of Motion, breathing patterns, and a plumb line to assess spinal alignment. Palpitation of muscles, bony landmarks, ligaments, tendons, etc. will be mastered. More time will be devoted to developing the student’s charting and record keeping skills. Both Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy will be taught and practiced extensively. Stretching of muscles is a major component of massage therapy; thus, the reasons for inflexibility, the reason and frequency for stretching, and types of stretching will be covered in this class as well.

Anatomy and Physiology II (56 hours, A&P II)
The various organ systems of the body will be examined thoroughly, with particular attention given to the nervous system. Stress is placed on understanding the body’s normal functions so the student is clear on how the body works. With this knowledge, the massage therapist will be prepared to use various techniques more effectively to promote balance in the body.

Wellness (16 hours, WELL)
The Wellness class is broken up into three categories and is geared towards the massage therapist’s personal health. A basic understanding of proper nutrition and supplementation using vitamins, minerals, and herbs is discussed. The movement segment is arranged so the student will use movement once per week for 8 weeks. Personal body awareness cultivated in Wellness class will help the massage therapist enhance his sensitivity in touching clients. Several techniques will be taught to help the massage therapist manage the stress in his own life by creating physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual balance.

Reflexology (16 hours, REFL)
Reflexology is a technique based on the idea that points on the hands and feet correspond to different parts of the body. Students will learn the correct use of finger and thumb pressure on these points to normalize bodily function and promote full-body relaxation.

Acupressure (16 hours, ACU)
Acupressure is derived from Acupuncture, a form of ancient Chinese medicine. It is based on the belief that energy flows through the body along specific channels, or meridians. The student will build on his/her knowledge gained from the oriental approach class and strengthen his understanding of the Eastern philosophies. This course is designed to teach the student how to balance the energy along the meridians in the body, helping to release physical/emotional tension and to prevent illness.

Muscle Energy Techniques (16 hours, MET)
Muscle Energy Techniques are designed to treat concerns in soft tissue by use of muscular resistance from both the massage therapist and client. The student will learn various methods including, but not limited to, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation or PNF, Post-Isometric Relaxation or PIR, and Reciprocal Inhibition or RI. Muscle Energy Techniques are used extensively in treating acute and chronic soft tissue conditions.

Healing Touch (8 hours, HT)
The student will be introduced to the Healing Touch bodywork system. Healing Touch utilizes light, non-invasive, hands-on techniques to facilitate balance of the body’s energy system. When the body’s energy field is realigned, it is better able to heal itself. This form of therapy is especially beneficial to those with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain sufferers.

Business Principles (32 hours, BP)
The business skills presented in this class will prepare the student to set up and run his/her own massage therapy business proficiently. The class will not only teach business ownership, but also how to set up as an independent business contractor. This class will show the student how to market his/her business for better client response. Class topics include insurance form and claim completion, record keeping, resume construction, business card and brochure creation, history intake forms, and building a referral network.

Myofacial Release (16 hours, MYO)
Often, patterns of dysfunction are the result of tension in the fascia, or soft tissue, throughout the body. Myofacial release is a whole body approach used to passively stretch the soft tissue, releasing that tension. The student will learn sensitivity to the client’s subtle restrictions and learn to flow with the body to release them. This form of therapy uses the client’s body for feedback and is very relaxing while minimizing or eliminating pain.

Seated Massage (16 hours, SEAT)
On-site Seated Massage is a fast growing business. This class will prepare students to go to an office or other “on-site” location and do quick 5-30 minute massages on clients who remain fully clothed. These short massage sessions are a great pick-me-up and tension reliever for those working in high stress positions.

Pathology (32 hours, PATH)
There are specific abnormalities in health of which the massage therapist must be particularly aware. This course covers signs and symptoms of several specific pathologies, as well as the indication and contraindication of massage for each condition. The student will learn how to best treat clients with particular pathologies and when to refer the client to another health care practitioner.

Cranial Sacral Therapy (16 hours, CST)
The student will gain a basic working knowledge of cranial sacral therapy. We have a rhythm in our bodies not unlike our heart beat. This rhythm is very subtle, but very important. Any disturbance in this rhythm may be felt by the massage therapist and used as an indicator of a problem in the system. The significance in finding an imbalance in this system is that the cranial sacral system houses the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid protecting the brain, as well as the spinal cord. Cranial sacral therapy uses a very light pressure application to relieve tension and pain and is useful in the treatment of a wide variety of physical symptoms. In addition, it is helpful in shifting emotional holding patterns and aids in balancing the body as a whole.

Sports Massage I (16 hours, SPORTS I)
Athletes, as well as any person sustaining an injury in everyday life, may benefit from Sports Massage. The course will discuss what to do in specific cases of sprain and strain, rehabilitation, and maintenance of debilitating conditions. Pre and post event and training massage guidelines will be given for specific sports. Repetitive motion injury and specific sports related injuries will be covered. Cryotherapy, or ice therapy, will also be presented.

Special Population Massage (16 hours, SPM)
Special Population Massage is an overview of pregnancy, infant, geriatric, and handicap massage. The course teaches the basic benefits as well as contraindications of each and demonstrates a variety of specialized techniques.

Synergistic Massage (16 hours, SYNER)
The student will discover the art of blending several massage techniques, rather than using just a single modality, to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of massage. He/she will be given the opportunity and encouraged to develop his/her own unique therapeutic full body massage.

Massage Therapy Diploma Program
Course Descriptions

The diploma program includes all of the courses from the certificate program as well as the following additional courses.

Sports Massage II (16 hours, SPORTS II)
This course is a continuation on the information presented in Sports Massage I. The student will gain more explicit knowledge of what to do in particular cases of injury. Specific muscle tests and treatments of common injuries are presented.

Hydrotherapy (16 hours, HYDRO)
Water has a relaxing and rejuvenating effect on our bodies. It may enhance certain treatments when used in massage therapy. The benefits and contraindications of hot packs, ice applications, steam baths, and hot tubs will be discussed.

Shiatsu (16 hours, SHI)
In this class, the student will be introduced to the modality known as Shiatsu. Shiatsu, in Japanese, means “pressure with fingers” and is based on the theory of ki or life energy. This type of bodywork is performed using fingers, hands, elbows, knees, and feet on various parts of the client’s body, as he/she lies on a comfortable mat on the floor. A unique aspect of Shiatsu is that the client always remains fully clothed.

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) Program (16 hours, CPT)
Become certified through the International Sports and Fitness Trainers Association, Inc. This course offers students the knowledge as well as hands-on experience to walk into a gym and work with clients on a fitness program. This will enrich the massage therapist’s career by enabling clients to keep themselves physically well by learning how to take care of their bodies through proper exercise.

Elective Course Descriptions - (16 Hours Each)

Clinical Aromatherapy
Clinical Aromatherapy studies the methodology behind producing natural oils from aromatic plants, and examines its positive physiological and psychological effects on the mind and body. A working knowledge of essential oils (botanical, medicinal grade) will be gained. More specifically, the production of oils from aromatic plants, as well as the oils’ biochemical specificity, will be studied. The ability to select and blend oils to address a variety of common situations or ailments found in pregnant women, infants, children, and the elderly will be learned. This course also covers how to custom-blend personal formulas for dealing with daily stress and how to create a handy first-aid kit.

Dried Blood Analysis
The clotting factors of blood are sensitive to changes in body chemistry. By learning to identify the different formations in the clotted blood drops, practitioners can identify the degeneration and free radical stress which is being placed on the specific organs and systems of the body. This will enable the practitioner to access the nutritional needs of the client.

Healing the Emotions with Bach Flowers
Traditional flower remedies have been used to deal with a wide range of personal difficulties, including fear and anxiety, uncertainty and indecisiveness, envy and jealousy, impatience and irritability, and more. Bach Flower remedies, originally discovered in the early 1930’s, have been used worldwide for over 60 years with great success. Learn how they can be used as powerful tools in addressing the stress associated with both trauma and everyday problems.

Practical Herbology 101
Twenty three commonly found or easily grown herbs that are powerhouses of medicinal strength will be presented. The course includes a discussion on the evolution of herbal medicine and the history of botanical practice in the U.S., along with down-to-earth, hands on information about identification, harvesting, storage, and practical ways of using Nature’s abundant apothecary. This empowering program encourages “thinking outside the capsule” by returning to the roots of our herbal traditions.

Biologic Ionization Testing
The pH Testing procedure class provides an in-depth explanation of the material as taught in the Biologic Theory of Ionization. This course will include a detailed explanation of proper lab procedures, basic digestive system anatomy, equation analysis, interpretation of perfect numbers vs. healing range, and matching foods and supplements to the numbers. Details about calciums and how to match the proper calciums with the numbers will be included in the instruction.

Enzymes
The Loomis Theory of Enzyme Replacement is presented in this class. Enzymes are in every living cell. They are essential nutrients, yet they are removed from our food supply in order to create a long shelf life. The student will learn what happens to the human body when enzymes (essential nutrients) are withheld either due to poor quality of food or poor digestion.

Nutrition
This class discusses the various theories and basic elements of good nutrition. Students will learn the importance of diet, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal supplementation.

Iridology
Following the traditional Jensonian American Iridology method, this course focuses on the practical application of iris analysis and interpretation. Students will learn how to incorporate their knowledge of nutrition and body systems in an effort to address health weaknesses revealed through the eyes.

Bodywork
This course examines enhancing the proper relationship between body function and structure. Students will observe demonstrations which utilize the least invasive methods to normalize weakened body structures in an effort to strengthen diminished body functions.