Testimonials

What do our past students think about their training?

“Excuse the pun but the hands-on practical teaching of this course was excellent.

Having had massages from those on other courses it has shown me how fortunate I (and all my clients) have been to have had my training by Peter and his team of instructors.

The techniques, style and depth have proved so beneficial to myself and many others – it’s not just massage – it’s the teaching of Acupressure as well as principles of Tai Chi as well incorporated into how to give great massage.”

Mark Behard, Waterford
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“The training I received at the N.H.C. was excellent and I am pleased to say that the back up over the past 8 years was great. My clients have benefited also from the workshops the Centre has held over the years, and I would not hesitate to recommend [the Centre] to anyone who wants to train in complementary therapies.”

P.W., Mitchelstown
Therapeutic Massage,
Reflexology

“High standard of teaching with a lot of extras supplied because of extensive knowledge of body work by the instructor. Variety of techniques especially in the neck and shoulder areas.

I have a large client base and a busy practice because of the training I received”.

Ann Ebbs, UK
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“I have trained in The Natural Healing Centre and found the courses to be very thorough and well structured. Courses [are] divided up between theory and practical work. Theory was in depth and covered a wide range of issues. This gave me an excellent knowledge base with which to work professionally.

Practical work provided opportunities to practice the skills learned in class and linked in with theory being learned also.

I gained a wide range of skills and the confidence to use them to effectively treat many sports-related problems.

Professionally, I enjoyed being able to identify and diagnose common musculo-skeletal/sports problems effectively and advise clients about same.

The Centre was very helpful with advice for setting up a practice as well as how to go about getting membership/insurance post graduation. This led to work being carried out professionally and clients getting the best possible treatment”

M.L., Killarney
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“I am a full-time therapist for several years. When I started out, I researched a number of training centres before choosing the Natural Healing Centre. I was so impressed with the high standard of tuition that I went on to do two more courses with them - I have found all three courses to be excellent, they were very well structured and comprehensive.

I particularly enjoyed the practical side of the training. The tutors were always helpful and very knowledgeable. The classes were all kept small in number to allow for all of the students to obtain individual attention.
I learned and developed new practical skills at The Natural Healing Centre, and it was great ‘craic’ in the process.

I obtained my first permanent slot in a well known Cork clinic some years back. I had only worked [there] a few months when all my hours were booked 3 months in advance. People recognise good training and are happy to return to a therapist who is properly qualified.

As a full time practitioner, I would highly recommend the courses at The Natural Healing Centre. The standard is excellent and they are pro-active in the course development.”

F.E., Cork
Reflexology,
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“From the first day I entered the NHC in 2000 I found a great sense of warmth and friendship which made you feel at ease before the hard work started. The course and training … entailed a lot of study, you were helped and encouraged in every aspect of same, and every detail was explained in a very professional manner.

The course was very educational while also very enjoyable, and a great bond formed with both teacher and classmates with plenty of light hearted moments; not all hard work.

The positive result for me personally after gaining diplomas in Therapeutic Massage and Sports and Remedial Massage...is now presently I’m setting up my own practice. This I do very confidently, thanks to the professional and diligent manner I was educated in, thanks in no uncertain way to the wonderful people at The Natural Healing Centre”.

Brian Mooney, Cork
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“I did the Therapeutic Massage and Sports and Remedial Massage diploma courses along with a number of [Postgraduate] Advanced Massage Seminars at the NHC. Not only are the courses educational and informative but the techniques work. I’ve had fantastic results. My clients are happy and recommend me to their friends and family on a regular basis.

I wish every success to all of the staff at The Natural Healing Centre with future courses.”

Nicola Farrissey, Cork
Therapeutic Massage,
Sports and Remedial Massage

“I found the whole experience of completing the course at the Natural Healing Centre was extremely rewarding, enlightening and a pleasure. Our tutors were friendly, encouraging, informative and completely supportive and approachable. They were willing to teach and guide all individuals to their needs and wants in our class. I feel we all have a very good knowledge of our chosen therapy. The course was very detailed. I also felt the confidence that our tutors instilled in us as we all began and progressed was wonderful.

Many thanks to our tutors who gave us time and encouraged us to improve and keep at it. I would, and will continue to praise and recommend the centre to friends and stranger who are looking to study alternative therapies."

C. Drake, Carrigaline.
 Therapeutic Massage

“The trainers at the Natural Healing Centre were very knowledgeable and professional. Training was very in depth and covered all areas, including how to set up your own practice after the course. Would definitely recommend and am considering joining some of their other courses.”

Holger Haase, Cork
 Therapeutic Massage

Practitioner courses recognised by:

Natural Healing Institute of Ireland
Irish Massage Therapy Association
National Register of Reflexologists
British Complementary Medicine Association
Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associations.

Therapeutic Massage Practitioner Diploma Training Course at the Natural Healing Centre

Therapeutic Massage Course - Practitioner Diploma

  • Fully Certified Practitioner Course.
  • Established Training School since 1984.
  • Professional training by professional therapists.
  • 12 months part-time.
  • All graduates eligible to join the N.H.I.I., B.C.M.A., I.M.T.A. and A.R.C.H.T.I.

About the Centre

The Natural Healing Centre Clinic and Training School is one of Munster’s longest established complementary health centres,offering professional practitioner diploma courses and a range of alternative treatments since 1984.

Our premises are centrally located in Cork City – Thompson House, MacCurtain Street.

The Natural Healing Centre is a member training school of the British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA), based in the UK. Our BCMA recognised qualification automatically entitles graduates to practice in Ireland and the UK ; we have also had many graduates go on to work in a number of locations including Australia, the USA, and a variety of European countries.

As well as a training school, the centre is also a working clinic offering a range of complementary treatments to our thriving client base.

About the Course

Our courses have been formulated by The Natural Healing Centre’s therapists - complementary health practitioners with over 60 years culminative experience behind them. The Therapeutiic Massage Course is designed to train students to professional therapist level.

The Course is a part-time weekend course that takes place on alternating Saturdays, from 9.00am – 1.30pm. (See timetable for full list of dates and times). The course is run over 12 months.

Class Structure

Classes are divided between theory work for the first half of the class, and practical work for the latter half.

Students study the theory aspect of the course in our upstairs classroom area – the body’s anatomy and systems are studied in detail as well as other aspects of massage therapy e.g.  Pathology, client care, record keeping etc.

A step by step massage sequence with photos is included in each seminar for the practical homework. A practical demonstration of the seminar’s techniques is shown in each seminar.

For the practical aspect of the course, the class moves downstairs to our spacious hall area where treatment tables are set up.

For this section of the course, students concentrate on the practical “hands-on” application of the various massage techniques, correct towel placement, and the importance of  posture for the massage therapist.

A short refreshment break divides the two halves of the class – tea/coffee/biscuits supplied.

Exams: Continual Assessment & Final Practicals

At the beginning of each seminar, there will be a short theory exam on the material covered in the previous class (see course content for more details). There is no final theory exam.

There are two Final Practical Exams – these are practical demonstrations of the two main massage sequences covered by the course (see course content). Final Results are graded as a Pass, a Credit, or a Distinction.

For a copy of our 2011 Therapeutic Massage Prospectus please click here.

For a copy of our 2011 Therapeutic Massage Application form please click here.


Detailed Course Content

Seminar 1
12th Nov 2011		 Theory:
History of massage. Benefits of massage. Basic massage techniques.Contra-indications. Hygiene. Table, oils and towel set up. Correct client and treatment procedure. Ethics.

Practical:
Basic techniques, applied to back.
Seminar 2
26th Nov 2011
(Continual theory assessment exams begin)		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar one.

Theory:          
Anatomical terms. Anatomical terms for joint movements. Detailed anatomy of the legs. Table and towel set-up.

Practical:      
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to the legs.
Seminar 3
10th Dec 2011		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar two.

Theory:          
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the skin. Detailed anatomy of the back. Table and towel set up.

Practical:      
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to the back.
Seminar 4
14th Jan 2012		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar three.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of muscle. Detailed anatomy of the neck and shoulders. Table and towel set up. Practical:
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to neck and shoulders.
Seminar 5
28th Jan 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar four.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the skeletal system. Detailed anatomy of the head and face. Table and towel set up.

Practical:
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to head and face.
Seminar 6
11th Feb 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar five.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the urinary system. Detailed anatomy of the hand, wrist and arm. Table and towel set-up.

Practical:
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to the hand, wrist and arm.
Seminar 7
25th Feb 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar six.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the digestive system. Detailed anatomy of the abdomen and chest. Table and towel set-up.

Practical:
Suggested sequence and techniques applied to the abdomen and c hest.
Seminar 8
10th Mar 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar seven

Theory: Taking client details and a client case history.Therapist appearance and manner. Ethics and conduct during a professional treatment. Client/Therapist relationship. Revise personal and treatment hygiene. Supervised clinical practice rules and guidelines.

Practical:
Take a client case history. Practice full body sequence.
Supervised clinical practice #1 begins
Seminar 9
24th Mar 2012		 Exam:
No exam

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the respiratory system. Revise seminar eight theory. Student questions and answers.

Practical:
Take a client case history. Practice full body sequence.
Seminar 10
14th Apr 2012		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar nine.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. Positioning and safety for massage during pregnancy.

Practical:
Head, neck and shoulder massage from the seated position, clothed, without oils.
Seminar 11
28th Apr 2012		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar ten.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the reproductive system.

Practical:
Head, neck and shoulder massage from the seated position, partly clothed, using oils.
Seminar 12
12th May 2012		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar eleven.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nervous system.

Practical:
A therapeutic massage treatment on the lower back, additional techniques.
Seminar 13
26th May 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar twelve.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the lymphatic system. Revise seminar eight theory. Class discussion and questions and answers.

Practical:
Take a client case history. Practice back of body massage sequence.
Supervised clinical practice #2 begins
Seminar 14
09th Jun 2012		 Exam :
Theory exam on seminar thirteen.

Theory:
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the endocrine system.

Practical:
Take a client history. Practice back of the body sequence.
Seminar 15
23rd Jun 2012		 Exam:
Theory exam on seminar fourteen.

Theory:
Diet and Nutrition.

Practical:
A therapeutic treatment on the main back, with extra techniques.
Seminar 16
07th Jul 2012		 Exam:
No exam

Theory:
Business studies. Setting up a practice.

Practical:
A therapeutic treatment on the neck and shoulders, with extra techniques.
Seminar 17
21st Jul 2012		 Exam:
No exam

Theory:
Revision and student questions and answers.

Practical:
Take a client case history. Revise back of the body sequence.
Seminar 18
11th Aug 2012		 Final Practical Exam no 1
 Taking a client history and performing a back of the body massage.
(Monitored by external examiner)
Seminar 19
25th Aug 2012		 Exam:
No exam

Theory:
Revision and class discussion.

Practical:
Take a client case history. Revise full body sequence.
Seminar 20
08th Sep 2012		 Final Practical Exam no 2
 Taking a client history and performing a full body massage.
(Monitored by external examiner)
Seminar 21
22nd Sep 2012
(11AM)		 Presentation of Diplomas and Final Discussion

Mandatory Extra Curricular Course Work
(explained in detail in class, and spread throughout the course)

Over the duration of the course students must complete:

  • 48 hours of  worksheets for correction and assessment (over the total course).
  • 44 hours case studies for correction and assessment (over the total course).
  • Minimum of 12 hours supervised clinical practice outside of class supervision.
  • A Basic First Aid Qualification – this is an essential for professional therapists and as such, students who do not posses a valid First Aid Certificate must attend a First Aid course in order to graduate. First aid courses are regularly held at the centre, and are included in the course cost.

How to apply

To secure your place on this course please post in the enclosed application form with a deposit of €300. Places are assigned on a first-come, first-served  basis. Students are advised to book a place early, as we accept only 18 students per course.

Students have until Seminar One to avail of the fee discount (Option 2).

Prerequisites

As this is a fully comprehensive course, we do not require our applicants to have any prior training/experience.

Course fees

The total cost of the course is €2,000, and there are two options in which the fees can be paid.

  • Option 1 involves a payment of €100 per seminar, until fees are paid in full.
  • Option 2 entitles you to a discount of €250.

Option 1

Fees are paid over the first eight months of the course as follows:

Deposit: €300
Seminar 1 to 17: €100 per seminar

Total fees: €2000


Option 2

Fees are paid before, or on the morning of, Seminar 1.

Deposit: €300
Balance: €1450

Total fees: €1750


SPECIAL OFFER:

BOOK YOUR PLACE BEFORE END OF AUGUST 2011 AND RECEIVE A FURTHER DISCOUNT OF €150 ON EITHER PAYMENT OPTION!

The course fee is fully inclusive and covers all tuition fees and course manuals, all written and practical examination fees, first aid course and refreshments. It also includes all oils and couch paper used during class.

With regards to the practical side of the classes, students are not provided with towels, couch covers, or ankle rolls, and are expected to supply their own. 

Methods of payment

We accept all forms of payment (cash, cheques, credit/debit cards) – we can also take credit card/laser card details over the phone, should you wish to avail of the option.

Fees Policy

A deposit of €300 is necessary to secure a place on the course, and, due to course place demand, is non-refundable.

Once the course commences, all course fees are strictly non-refundable.

Students opting for Fees Option 1 must strictly adhere to the payment plan.

Tel: +353 (0)21 4501600 | Email: info@nhc.ie | Address: Thompson House, MacCurtain Street, Cork, Ireland
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