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500-Hour Traditional Thai Massage Program - 520 Clock Hours
ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY & KINESIOLOGY (60-hr)
Prerequisite: NONE
56 hours IDL, 4 hours In-Person
Course Description: This 60-hour course provides an introduction of the body, emphasizing the fundamental structure and functions that underlie physiological processes. The course begins with an overview of the major human body systems, including the Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Integumentary, Lymphatic, Immune, Digestive, and Respiratory Systems. Special attention is devoted to Tissue Injury and Repair, providing a holistic understanding of the body's adaptive mechanisms.Students will learn anatomical and health care terminology related to the massage profession and understand terms of body movements, position, directional, and body planes.
Through a combination of theoretical and interactive learning experiences, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the human body's structure and function. This knowledge serves as a solid foundation for those pursuing a career in the massage profession.
Kinesiology and Palpation Lab (20-hr)
20 hours In-Person
Course Description: This course is one of the more critical courses in order for students to fully understand the human musculoskeletal system. Students will learn to identify and palpate significant anatomical landmarks, structures, movements palpable below the surface and to develop their tactile skills. Learning, the origin, insertion and action of the major muscles of the human body. Study of the basics of human movement, joints, ligaments, range of motion, muscles and their actions along with its limitations.
PATHOLOGY & CONTRAINDICATIONS (35-hr)
32 hours IDL, 3 hours In-Person
Prerequisite: NONE
Course Description: Students will learn and understand the signs, symptoms and causes of diseases that affect musculoskeletal dysfunction including bone, muscle, joint, fascial, nerve and other connective tissue disorders. Students will gain knowledge of contraindications and areas of caution. Students will be able to understand how to adapt massage types and methods for clients with common pathologies. Students will learn about the most common pathologies in all systems of the body that may adversely affect their clients and have an impact in how their clients might receive a massage. An example being: identification of the most common musculoskeletal system conditions and disorders, e.g., stages of inflammation, strains, sprains, and burns.
Business, Professional Development (15-hrs)
12 hours (IDL) 3 hours In-Person
Course Description: Students will learn the elements of a successful practice, ethics, boundaries, and behaviors to uphold standards of an ethical practice. Students will learn to build a professional image, learn professional conduct and responsibilities, and the professional standards of a massage therapist (such as “first do no harm”). The student will understand scope of practice, obtaining and maintaining credentials and adhering to laws and regulations. Students will understand career planning, and will develop a professional resume/cover letter ready for employment.
Ethics, Laws and Regulation (10-hr)
10 In-Person
Prerequisite: NONE
Course Description: Students will learn and understand the concepts of scope of practice, standards of ethical massage practice, informed consent, the therapeutic relationship, client confidentiality and will also learn and understand laws and regulations regarding massage therapy (from local government levels to the state and CAMTC law). Students will also learn about certification as a massage therapist and permit and business license requirements pertaining to conducting a massage therapy business. Students will receive a guide to setting up a massage business, professional liability and insurance. Students will learn and understand employment classification: employee vs independent contractor, and general tax guidelines. Students will learn an employee's rights and benefits under California and how to become an employer.
Health & Hygiene (20 hr)
16 hours (IDL), 4 hours In-Person
Course Description: Students will learn and understand the proper protocol for hygiene in the workplace to maintain optimum health for the client and practitioner. Students will learn about the most common blood and airborne pathogens and how to maintain a clean and sanitary work environment in order to prevent contamination. Students will learn proper protocol and steps to take when encountering blood or airborne pathogens.
Traditional Thai Massage Fundamentals (60-hr)
60 hours In-Person
Course Description: Students learn the fundamental concepts, history, and philosophy of Traditional Thai Massage, and learn the ancient healing system of Thai Massage in it’s historical roots and interconnection with Yoga from India. This course will be hands-on and gives the student an outline/road map of basic Thai massage techniques, supine, prone, sideline, and seated positions and understanding of the use of pressure points and assisted yoga stretching to improve range of motion, which is a well-known benefit in Thai massage. Students will learn using thumb, hands, palms, elbows, and basic knees and feet with bending and stretching in different yoga positions. Students will learn Thai massage body mechanics and assisted yoga stretching to improve range of motion.
In traditional Thai massage, the recipient lies on the floor on a mat, fully clothed. The massage consists initially of compression and point work to soften constricted (hypertonic) areas, followed by stretching in assisted yoga poses.
Therapeutic Thai Massage 1 (30-hr)
30 hours In-Person
Course Description: In Therapeutic Thai Massage 1, where students expand their skills beyond the Traditional Thai Massage Fundamentals (60-hr) course. This 30-hour course introduces additional techniques that build upon the basics, offering advanced alternative tools and techniques within a stepwork protocol tailored to address general aches and pains, clients need. Students will master Advanced Thai Massage Body Mechanics, adapting alternative body positions and utilizing larger tools like elbows, knees, feet, or full body weight based on client size, flexibility, and any contraindications. Learn the art of safe and efficient techniques by applying floorwork body mechanics, leveraging body weight, and gravity for advanced stretching with minimal effort. Additionally, students explore the history and underlying Elemental Theory of Traditional Thai Massage and Medicine.
Therapeutic Thai Massage 2 (30-hr)
30 hours In-Person
Course Description: Learn a detailed map of the 10 main energy lines of Traditional Thai Massage, including therapeutic Thai Acupressure points, and the history and underlying element Theory of Traditional Thai Massage and Medicine, as well as a series of practical, specific hands-on therapeutic protocols to address a range of specific, common conditions such as knee, ankle, back, shoulder, neck and head pain, or limitations in movement or function. This Therapeutic Thai Massage 2 Course is open to all students who have completed the BPI Traditional Thai Massage Fundamentals (60 hours) courses. The new material learned in this course can be used as short, specific stand alone sequences/protocols to relieve pain or improve movement and function in specific areas of the body, or the protocols may selectively be incorporated into basic fundamentals massage sequences for specific or added focus on problem areas for the recipient. The material will be able to be immediately substituted/incorporated into the students existing traditional Thai massage practice and sequences.
Thai Foot Massage Level 1 (16-hr)
Prerequisite: NONE
16 hours In-Person
Course Description: A relaxing and soothing (“sabai”) Thai-style foot and leg massage, using a combination of hands and wooden stick or similar instrument to massage the leg and foot and press a selection of Chinese reflexology points on the foot. In the prerequisite Level 1, 15-hour course, students learned The Old Medicine Thai Massage School’s standard foot relaxation massage sequence.
Thai Foot Reflexology Level 2 (14-hr)
14 hours In-Person
Course Description: A deeper and more specific/intense (“jep”) form of therapeutic foot massage grounded in traditional Eastern (Chinese) reflexology and meridian theory, sequencing and techniques. This 15-hour, Level 2 Therapeutic Foot Reflexology course follows and builds on the Level 1 course by adding deeper understanding of Chinese reflexology theory and mapping of the feet, and a new/additional more powerful and specific Taiwanese-style techniques, as they have been modified and are now practiced in shops and taught in schools throughout Thailand.
Thai Aroma Massage (30-hr)
30 hours In-Person
Prerequisite: Basic Thai massage (42-hr), Swedish massage (18-hr)
Course Description: Thai aroma massage integrates methods using Eastern and Western modalities, based upon ancient Thai massage philosophy using Thai-style deep massage and yoga stretching with Western modalities Swedish massage, Deep Tissue, and Lomi Lomi. The course includes a detailed roadmap guide to successful sessions.
Thai Herbal Massage (8-hr)
8 hours In-Person
Prerequisite: Traditional Thai Massage Fundamentals (60-hr)
Course Description: Thai Herbal massage has deep roots in Thai culture. Thai herbal compresses are an integral part of traditional Thai massage as practiced in Thailand.. Thai compresses are steamed and then applied either during the massage or after the massage is complete. Students will learn about the fresh herbs used in Thailand to make Traditional herbal compresses and their qualities/properties for helping the body, how to make and use Traditional Thai herbal compresses (including equipment needed, and safety precautions), and how to deliver a complete, full body basic Traditional Thai Herbal Massage
SWEDISH MASSAGE (36-hr)
Prerequisite: NONE
32 hours In-Person
Course Description: This course introduces students to western style massage. Swedish massage therapy is most popular and most widely requested by customers. Students will learn a full-body traditional Swedish massage sequence and Swedish massage strokes: effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, tapotement, and joint movement, etc.
Open to new students of massage therapy, this course will provide the foundation training for students to use throughout the program and into the field. Students will learn basic muscle manipulation. Draping technique and proper body mechanics.
Swedish-Pregnancy Massage (12-hr)
4 hours IDL, 8 hours In-Person
Course Description: Students will learn hands-on techniques, methods working with clients who are pregnant. Students will be able to perform 1 to 1.5hr massage sequencing of relaxing, therapeutic pregnancy massage, Students will be able to adapt sessions appropriately for clients in her first, second and third trimester. Students will be able to indicate signs, symptoms, contraindications and cautions for pregnant clients. The student will be able to describe signs or symptoms, and certain contraindications and the recommended adjustments and client interview and evaluation.
Chair Massage (12-hr)
12 hours In-Person
Course Description: Chair massage, a popular and portable onsite-seated massage technique ideal for various settings such as outdoor fairs, events, shops, and office spaces. In this course, students will delve into comprehensive step-by-step instructions, covering 10 to 30-minute short sequences of seated massage sessions. Emphasis will be placed on addressing key areas prone to stress and tension, including the upper back, neck, shoulders, arms, and head.
Prerequisite: None
Introduction to Deep Tissue (8-hr)
8 hours In-Person
Course Description: This course establishes the foundations for deep tissue bodywork by covering palpation, techniques, tools, and deep tissue body mechanics. It begins with understanding of body mechanics to help the student generate force safely and effectively. From there, the student is taught the concepts of palpation, including but not limited to Directional Resistance and Directional Ease. The student will have the opportunity to practice these techniques that utilize the concepts previously described with specific and proper body mechanics after observing demonstration from the instructor. Students will learn:
Theory of Deep Tissue Body Mechanics, the psychological, physiological, and cultural aspects of body mechanics.
Concepts of proper body mechanics and concepts of palpation and palpation assessment, posture assessment, range of motion assessment and making a plan to have the best possible massage session incorporating adaptations to address the client’s specific needs.
Techniques to treat muscle/tissue pain and dysfunction, restoring optimal muscle resting length, and reducing or normalizing muscular tension.
Deep Tissue Techniques (32-hr)
32 hours In-Person
Course Description: This course will be hands-on deep tissue training and will give students an understanding of the use of deeper strokes for particular body territories. Students learn specific work for each territory of the body and will perform a full body session under supervision at the end of the course. Students will learn:
Deep Tissue Techniques for the hands, arms, shoulder, neck, upper/mid/low back, glutes, posterior legs, anterior legs, and feet in supine and prone positions.
Client interaction: client interview, palpation assessment, range of motion assessment and practice making a plan to create the best possible massage session that may include adaptations to address the client’s specific needs.
Deep Tissue techniques to treat pain and dysfunction, restoring optimal muscle resting length, and reducing muscular tension utilizing the concepts of End Range and Directional Resistance.
General precautions and contraindications that may require session adaptations.
Advanced Deep Tissue (24-hr)
24 hours In-Person
Course Description: This course will be hands-on deep tissue training and will give students an understanding of the use of deeper strokes for particular body territories. Students learn advanced deep tissue techniques for the abdomen, face, and head, perform a deep tissue session on the client positioned in side-lying position and a 90-minute and 60-minute full body deep tissue session in prone/supine under supervision. Students will learn:
Further detail into Deep Tissue techniques for the abdomen (psoas, rectus abdominis, diaphragm, and iliacus) and the head and face. Students will also perform a deep tissue session with the client in side-lying position and a 90-minute and 60-minute full body session in prone and supine.
Client interaction: client interview, palpation assessment, range of motion assessment and practice making a plan to create the best possible massage session that may include adaptations to address the client’s specific needs.
Deep Tissue techniques to treat pain and dysfunction, restoring optimal muscle resting length, and reducing muscular tension utilizing the concepts of End Range and Directional Resistance.
Advanced Trigger Point Therapy (16-hr)
16 hours In-Person
Course Description: This class is designed for the massage therapist student to learn how to palpate their client and feel for contractions in the tissue that correspond to Trigger Points. Trigger points are contracted muscle tissue areas accompanied with extreme tenderness that are often involved in chronic pain and dysfunction. Students will learn to assess, identify and assist the client in releasing long-held patterns and areas of stubborn potential in the body. Students will increase their effectiveness by working smarter, not by working harder. The class will cover:
Basic understanding of trigger points and pain referral
Tissue palpation and assessment
Emphasis on palpation techniques: Directional Resistance, Passive Shortening, and positional release strategies
Proper use of techniques for the full body
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED (4-hr)
4 hours In-Person
Course Description: The Adult First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, head, neck, back injuries, heat and cold emergencies and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for victims about 12 years and older. Successful students will receive a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years.
Prerequisite: All core coursework must be satisfactorily completed before a student can schedule Clinic hours.
Student Clinic (32-hr)
32 hours In-Person
Course Description: Students will develop customer service skills, managing the client experience from start to finish with professionalism. They will focus on maintaining a professional image through dress, hygiene, and communication, while also learning to handle difficult situations, including declining services when necessary. Training will cover front desk tasks, client confidentiality, SOAP notes, health forms, and teamwork in a clinic setting. Students will complete 17 hands-on assignments, totaling 20 hours of massage sessions, along with 6 hours of lectures and group discussions, gaining real-world experience in BPI’s Student Clinic.