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 Course – Practitioner Diploma
- Fully Certified Practitioner Course.
- Established Training School since 1984.
- Professional training by professional therapists.
- 11 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 11 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 2013 Therapeutic Massage Prospectus please click here.
For a copy of our 2013 Therapeutic Massage Application form please click here.
Detailed Course Content
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Seminar 1 |
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. |
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Seminar 2 |
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. |
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Seminar 3 |
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. |
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Seminar 4 |
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. |
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Seminar 5 |
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. |
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Seminar 6 |
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. |
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Seminar 7 |
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. |
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Seminar 8 |
Exam: Theory exam on seminar seven Theory: Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the cells and tissues. 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 |
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Seminar 9 |
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. |
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Seminar 10 |
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. Clinical Practice: Afternoon 2pm – 5pm |
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Seminar 11 |
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. Clinical Practice: Afternoon 2pm – 5pm |
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Seminar 12 |
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. |
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Seminar 13 |
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 |
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Seminar 14 |
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. |
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Seminar 15 |
Exam: Theory exam on seminar fourteen. Theory: Diet and Nutrition. Practical: A therapeutic treatment on the main back, with extra techniques. Clinical Practice: Afternoon 2pm – 5pm |
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Seminar 16 |
Exam: No exam Theory: Business studies. Setting up a practice. Practical: A therapeutic treatment on the neck and shoulders, with extra techniques. Clinical Practice: Afternoon 2pm – 5pm |
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Seminar 17 |
Exam: No exam Theory: Revision and student questions and answers. Practical: Take a client case history. Revise back of the body sequence. |
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Seminar 18 |
Final Practical Exam no 1: Taking a client history and performing a back of the body massage. (Monitored by external examiner) |
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Seminar 19 |
Exam: No exam Theory: Revision and class discussion. Practical: Take a client case history. Revise full body sequence. |
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Seminar 20 |
Final Practical Exam no 2: Taking a client history and performing a full body massage. (Monitored by external examiner) |
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Seminar 21 Graduation |
Final Theory Exam
Presentation of Diplomas and Final Discussion |
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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 nine 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 28th February 2013 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.