Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

Program Description

The Neuromuscular Therapist diploma program consists of a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of Neuromuscular Therapy. Learning opportunities develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. Curriculum fundamentals, Swedish massage, musculoskeletal anatomy, identification of diseases and conditions, medical documentation, and client care prepare the graduate for an entry level position. Specialized training in nervous system pathology, postural analysis, neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release and clinical reasoning establish this program and its graduates as specialists in their field. Program graduates receive a Neuromuscular Therapy diploma, which qualifies them to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Board and apply for Georgia Licensure through The Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.

The program begins each Spring semester on the Valdosta Campus.
Monday-Thursday 8:30 pm-3:30pm in person setting
Clinicals are held in Summer and Spring Semester

Learn more at the Program Description Page

Course Descriptions

General Core Courses (9 Hours)

• ENGL 1010: Fundamentals of English I (3 Hours)
  Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.
• MATH 1012: Foundations of Mathematics (3 Hours)
  Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, geometric concepts, technical applications, and basic statistics.
• PSYC 1010: Basic Psychology (3 Hours)
  Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

Occupational Core Courses

• ALHS 1011: Structure and Function of the Body (5 Hours)
  Focuses on basic normal structure and function of the human body. Topics include general plan and function of the human body, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous and sensory systems, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.
• ALHS 1090: Medical Terminology for Allied Health Sciences (2 Hours)
  Introduces the elements of medical terminology. Emphasis is placed on building familiarity with medical words through knowledge of roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Topics include: origins (roots, prefixes, and suffixes), word building, abbreviations and symbols, and terminology related to the human anatomy.

** Before you begin this program, it is recommended that you have ALL core courses completed with a "C" or better.

Occupational Courses - Spring

• NEUT 1001: Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology I (4 Hours)
  This is the first of two courses which provide an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy so as to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: bones; joints; terminology; and muscles by region.
• NEUT 1050: Technique and Theory I (5 Hours)
  Students will learn how to incorporate the basic Swedish strokes as well as integrate each body region into a full body treatment session. Topics include: therapeutic environment; client positioning, bolstering, and draping; endangerment sites; Swedish strokes per NCE; integrated routine; mobile practice; and self care.
• NEUT 1030: Neuromuscular Therapy Fundamentals (3 Hours)
  Provides student with knowledge and practice of basic skills necessary for maintaining a successful and responsible career as a Neuromuscular therapist. This course prepares students in practical application for clinic by developing the proper skills necessary for interviewing clients, collecting data, assessment of data collection, developing patient care plan, and proper documentation. Topics include: history of massage and body work; professionalism, effective communication skills; documentation and charting; formation of a treatment plan utilizing assessment procedures; and critical reading.
• NEUT 1020: Pathology for the Neuromuscular Therapist (3 Hours)
  This course prepares students to identify general pathological conditions so as to be able to refer for medical attention or identify indications and contraindications for massage for specific body systems as stated: musculoskeletal, endocrine, nervous, integumentary, circulatory and lymphatic, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive systems. Topics include: review of basic anatomy and physiology per body system; identification of pathologic conditions per body system; physiologic effects of manual therapies upon each body system; formation of a treatment plan; indications versus contraindications for treatment; dysfunction versus disease; critical reading; and NMT Foundational Platform.

Occupational Courses - Summer

• NEUT 1005: Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Physiology II (4 Hours)
  This is the second of two courses which provide an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy so as to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: bones; joints; terminology; and muscles by region.
• NEUT 1010: Neural Science (3 Hours)
  This course provides an understanding of nervous system to enable the student to better assess and treat client conditions. Topics include: nervous systems structure and function: communication of the neural and endocrine system.
• NEUT 1060: Clinic I (2 Hours)
  Students begin clinical reasoning and provide supervised therapy services in the college clinic. Students will apply skills learned in previous courses to interview clients; document assessment findings; discern indications and contraindications; develop and implement proper treatment plans; and deliver and evaluate effective Swedish and Deep tissue sessions for a minimum of three clients per week. Student will continue to utilize wellness essentials, evaluate client/therapist communication, and improve professional work ethic. This course also includes a community service component. Topics include: documentation; effective communication skills; effective treatment; preceptor shadowing; case study; community outreach; and self care.
• NEUT 1080: Techniques and Theory II (3 Hours)
  This course enhances didactic instruction of students in the techniques of neuromuscular therapy (NMT) as related to physiologic factors of pain such as Ischemia, Trigger Points, Postural Distortion, Neural Compression/Entrapment, Biomechanical Dysfunction, Nutrition and Stress in an attempt to restore and maintain a balance among the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Topics include: NMT foundational platform; NMT application fundamentals; indications and contraindications for treatment; muscles; NMT treatment per body region; and self care.

Occupational Courses - Fall Semester

• NEUT 1081: Techniques and Theory III (3 Hours)
  This course enhances didactic instruction of students in the techniques of neuromuscular therapy (NMT) as related to physiologic factors of pain such as Ischemia, Trigger Points, Postural Distortion, Neural Compression/Entrapment, Biomechanical Dysfunction, Nutrition and Stress in an attempt to restore and maintain a balance among the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems. Topics include: NMT foundational platform; NMT application fundamentals; indications and contraindications for treatment; muscles; NMT treatment per body region; and selfcare.
• NEUT 1100: Adjunctive Modalities (3 Hours)
  This course is intended to be an overview of other adjunctive modalities. Further supervised study and training in these modalities is necessary for responsible therapy. Topics include: pregnancy massage, lymphatic drainage, advanced assessment techniques, muscle lengthening techniques, thermotherapy, passive and active engagement, positional release techniques, myofascial release overview, and critical reading.
• NEUT 1110: Licensure Review (3 Hours)
  This course is an integration and review of didactic instruction in order to prepare students to take the National Certification Examination (NCETM/NCETMB) or an equivalent licensure exam approved by the Therapist's chosen state of practice. Students will be self directed in review of competencies of NCBTMB or other chosen licensing exam. Also, students will participate in simulated registry exams. Review topics include: anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology; massage application and assessment; pathology; professional ethics and business practices; clinical reasoning; and Eastern modalities.
• NEUT 1120: Clinic II (2 Hours)
  Students will continue clinical reasoning and provide supervised therapy services in the college clinic. Students will apply skills learned in previous courses to interview clients, document assessment findings, discern indications and contraindications, develop and implement proper treatment plans, and deliver and evaluate effective treatment plan sessions for a minimum of three clients per week utilizing combined therapies of NMT routines, Swedish, and deep tissue. Student will continue to utilize wellness essentials, evaluate client/therapist communication, and improve professional work ethic. This course also includes a community service component. Topics include: documentation, advanced communication skills, effective treatment, preceptor shadowing, community outreach and self care.
• NEUT 1230: Professional Leadership for Neuromuscular Therapist (2 Hours)
  This course is designed to prepare students to develop professional leadership skills and maintain a successful practice as a Neuromuscular Therapist. This course will explore local and Georgia law as it pertains to the regulation and licensure of Massage Therapy. Also addressed are professional ethics and standards for practice per chosen professional massage therapy organization Topics include: networking; business promotion; business management; start-up plan portfolio; financial management; State (Georgia) law; Local Law; and Professional Ethics.

What do I need by the first day?

Can be Purchased at Bookstore

• Portable massage table w/bolster ( maybe purchased elsewhere ) 
  Size (30in width)
  Weight limit (500lbs)
• Lotion Bottle with Holster (may be purchased elsewhere)
• First semester books

Can be Purchased at Dollar Tree

• 1(1in) binder
• Dividers
• Manicure Set
• Color pencils
• Index cards
• Glue and Scissors
• Pins and Pencils
• Highlighter

Can be Purchased at Wal-Mart

• Work-out clothes
• Towel wrap(sleeveless spa wrap)
• Planner ( but you will receive calendars in every subject)
• Two sets of twin sheets with pillow case
• 1(2in) binder

My scheduled appointment for a massage is

Date _____________________________

Time_____________________________

*This is a mandatory appointment you must have had a massage in this clinic before you begin the program!

• What do I need by the First Day 

  Checklist for students entering the Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Program. Printable version of list above.