Massage Therapy Training Goes Further Than Skin Deep

While most people associate massages with relaxation, the benefits of receiving a massage from a trained professional greatly exceed that. Massage therapy is actually used to relieve pain, reduce trait anxiety and depression, and temporarily reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and state of anxiety. According to Wikipedia, theories behind what massage might do also include blocking nociception (gate control theory), activating the parasympathetic nervous system (which may stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin), preventing fibrosis or scar tissue, increasing the flow of lymph, and improving sleep.

At Centennial College's Massage Therapy program, students learn to:

• Offer massage therapy to a wide range of clients within an ethical framework.
• Establish and nurture therapeutic relationships that help to support health and well-being.
• Actively listen to and note down client information to determine the appropriate approach to take with a particular client's massage therapy treatment.
• Develop, implement and evaluate a treatment plan after taking down clients' information.
• Demonstrate professional readiness to ensure quality care and client comfort.

This know-how is achieved through a range of massage therapy courses that are well rounded, far ranging and include both massage therapy know-how and business savvy. These classes include: Introductory Concepts of Anatomy and Physiology, Massage Theory and Practice, Clinical Anatomy, Biomechanics and Orthopedic Assessment, Pathophysiology, Fitness and Remedial Exercise, Neuroanatomy and Physiology, Creating an Independent Practice, and more.

Aside from offering students access to on-campus massage therapy labs that mimic real-life environments, Centennial College's massage therapy program also includes various field placements. These experiences allow students to apply their knowledge under the supervision of seasoned professionals.

Thanks to the range of knowledge that students gain in this offering, they are fully prepared and eligible to write the registration examinations administered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) to qualify for Registered Massage Therapist designation. Centennial College's students have demonstrated an excellent success rate at the CMTO entry-to-practice examinations. Once they enter the field, graduates have career options that include: self-employment, multidisciplinary healthcare facilities, hospitals, sports rehabilitation clinics and health spas and on-site therapy (typically provided in the workplace by large companies as a health benefit to employees).

It is worth noting that student satisfaction in regards to this offering is consistently high. For example, the program holds the 2011 President's Gold Award for Student Satisfaction of Quality of Learning Experience. This is only awarded if student satisfaction is 90 per cent or greater five years in a row. Additionally, the program was awarded the 2010 President's Gold Award for Student Satisfaction of Quality of Learning Experience Graduate Satisfaction.