DESCRIPTIONS of Courses

Massage Therapy ProgramCourse Title: Anatomy, Physiology, and Structural Kinesiology
Course Code: APK101
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley, Dr Bryan Avery
Total Clock Hours: 50, Lecture 30, Lab: 20 Externship 0
Prerequisites none
Course Description: Through the instruction in Anatomy, students will learn about the basic structure of the human body relating to Massage Therapy. Beginning with palpation skills, the students will learn to find the bones and superficial muscles. They will learn the origin, insertion, and action of the most important muscles and they will develop their palpation skills at the same time. We find this hands-on learning it is the best way to learn anatomy.
Through the instruction in Physiology students will learn the systems of the body and how they affect and are affected by the practice of massage therapy. In level 1 the following systems are covered: skeletal, muscular, lymphatic, integumentary, and nervous.
Through the instruction in Structural Kinesiology, students will study the movements of the body and begin to learn the dynamics of how the body moves.
Medical terminology, the study of the fundamentals of word structure, abbreviation and symbols commonly used in the medical field, is introduced in this class.

Course Title: Introduction to Healing Touch
Course Code: MT101
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 5, Lecture 1, Lab: 4, Externship 0
Prerequisites none
Course Description Healing Touch (HT) is an energy based therapeutic approach to healing. HT uses touch to influence the energy system thus affecting physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and healing. The goal in HT is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system to help the person to self heal.

Course Title: Lymphatic Drainage
Course Code: MT102
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 8, Lecture 3, Lab: 5, Externship 0
Prerequisites none
Course Description Lymphatic Drainage is the theory and practice of the function of the lymphatic system: its importance and use in massage therapy from the school of Dr. Bruno Chikly.

Course Title: Radical Self-Care
Course Code: MT103
Instructor: George Kon, Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 20, Lecture 10, Lab: 10, Externship 0
Prerequisites none
Course Description: The foundation of our massage therapy program is radical self-care: the health and happiness of the therapist.  In this course, the student will learn the importance of the 12 fundamentals of life, including breath, water, nutrition, elimination, and forgiveness. They will learn the value of discipline and how to create a self-care program that promotes health and happiness.
Self-care in the form of posture and good body mechanics are encouraged. Self-care exercises and stretches for the arms, wrists and hands are taught and performed in class. Excellent habits are instilled in each class.

Course Title: Sportsmassage
Course Code: MT104
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 1, Lab: 6, Externship 3
Prerequisites none
Course Description: Sportsmassage is the theory and practice of techniques used to prepare for, recover, and rehabilitate from participating in any sport.  Everyday activity is a sport! Students will benefit from knowledge, which is shared from all over the world, for the purpose of the prevention of and quick recovery from the deteriorating affects of athletic training and everyday life. Students will learn the practical distinctions between pre-event and post-event massage. As part of each class, we will offer our post-event sportsmassage skills to the participants of events such as the Tinman, Honolulu Triathlon and Honolulu Marathon.

Course Title: Swedish Massage
Course Code: MT105
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi, George Kon, Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 95, Lecture 25, Lab: 70, Externship
Prerequisites none
Course Description: Swedish massage is the theory and practice of an allopathic western tradition of massage therapy.  The basic strokes of effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, and tapotement are taught. Students will be able to share a basic Swedish massage routine and seated massage after the first semester. In the second semester, additional techniques in trigger point therapy and stretches & range of motion are shown to complement and enhance the Swedish Massage routine. This course includes structured practice in various complaints such as neck and back pain, and with various populations such as the elderly, overweight and underweight clients, and children. The student will be well prepared for the next level and clinical practice at the student clinic.
•This course includes a foundation of ethics, professionalism, and confidentiality.

Course Title: Polarity Therapy 1
Course Code: MT106
Instructor: Jeffrei Willson
Total Clock Hours: 15, Lecture 5, Lab: 10, Externship
Prerequisites none
Course Description: Polarity Therapy 1 includes Theory & Basic Principles of Polarity, Anatomy and Physiology Energy Model, and Polarity Therapy Energetic Touch based on he teachings of Dr. Randolph Stone.
Polarity Therapy asserts that the flow and balance of energy in the human body is the foundation of good health. A blend of modern science and complementary medicine, Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive health system involving energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self-awareness. In Polarity 1 the student will study the basic principles and learn the entire sequence of acupressure points for a complete general session.

Course Title: Advanced Clinical Swedish Massage
Course Code: MT201
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 15, Lecture 5, Lab: 10, Externship
Prerequisites: MT105 Swedish Massage
Course Description: Advanced Clinical Swedish Massage teaches “specificity”. The student will learn how to adapt his or her routine to a specific client with a specific need. New techniques such as Trigger Point, Counterstrain, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage are taught for neck, shoulder, low back, middle back, and joints.  The student will learn the development of each technique, how to use it and when to use it. Specific populations, such as elderly, children, athletes, and pre/post natal are addressed. The student will benefit from learning new techniques at the same time as she puts them into practice in the Clinical Practice course.

Course Title: Advanced (on-site) Seated Massage
Course Code: MT202
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 2, Lab: 8, Externship
Prerequisites: MT105 Swedish Massage
Course Description: In Swedish Massage (MT105) the student learned an introduction to Seated Massage. In Advanced Seated Massage the student will build on these techniques with specificity and community service. Additional techniques will be taught for the shoulder, elbow, wrist (carpal tunnel), upper back, neck, and jaw (TMJ). The acupuncture meridians are introduced as they apply to the upper body.

Course Title: Anatomy, Physiology, and Structural Kinesiology II
Course Code: APK201
Instructor: Dr. Bryan Avery
Total Clock Hours: 30, Lecture 20, Lab: 10, Externship
Prerequisites: APK101
Course Description: Anatomy 2 continues the exploration of the bones, muscles and connective tissues of the human body. The origin, insertion, and action of the most important bones and muscles and palpation skills.
Through the instruction in Physiology 2 students will learn the systems of the body and how they affect and are affected by the practice of massage therapy. The following systems are explored: cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, and respiratory. 
Structural Kinesiology 2 teaches assessment techniques: seeing and assessing how we move, sit and stand.

Course Title: Business Ethics, Critical Thinking and Professionalism
Course Code: MT203
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 7, Lab: 3, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: This class is designed to familiarize students with Hawaii Law and business marketing strategies. Subjects of discussion include ethics and its place within the massage therapy field. This class is designed to stimulate critical thinking around unusual situations that clients may present. Students are asked to respond with treatment options that are both professional and ethical.

Course Title: Business of Massage
Course Code: MT204
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 5, Lecture 5, Lab: Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: This class is a preparation for becoming either an entrepreneur or an employee. Students will study business structures and general business practices including related taxes, state laws, and regulations. Discussion includes career path selection, employment acquisition and comparison of work settings, setting fees, licensing procedures, start up costs, budgeting, projected annual income analysis, building a clientele, and maintaining client and financial records. Each student will complete her own resume.

Course Title: Clinical Practice
Course Code: CP201
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 110, Lecture, Lab: Externship 110
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: In Clinical Practice students will perform 110 contact hours of specialized massage techniques on the general public. Student gain hands-on instruction and experience in all aspects of the operation of a massage clinic. Under the direct supervision of a Licensed Massage Therapist, each student will not only share massages with the public, but also learn from direct experience the business of how to operate a massage clinic. This class is designed to provide experience in the transition into private practice with advanced techniques.

Course Title: Clinical Research Project
Course Code: MT205
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley, Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 15, Lecture 2, Lab: 13, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: Clinical Research Project teaches students the benefits of clinical research, the requirements of good research, how to develop your criteria and apply it to an area of massage most interesting to you.  Each student will conduct a small, focused research project.

Course Title: Community Service Project
Course Code: MT206
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture Lab: Externship 10
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: Community Service Projects offers each student the opportunity to give to and be received by the community.  Each student will organize at least one community service project that has personal meaning. Each student will also support the projects of their fellow students. AIMHA encourages the students’ presence in the community as a way to share their knowledge and as an efficient marketing tool.

Course Title: Energetic Bodywork
Course Code: MT207
Instructor: Barbara Matayoshi
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 2, Lab: 8, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: Energetic bodywork is a hands-on body, mind therapy that addresses healing on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. Learn how blockages on any of these levels affect our energetic fields. This energetic field corresponds to the potential for creating disease within the physical body. Learn to use a pendulum to balance your charkas. Experience the impact of energetic grounding techniques, as well as, discover your personal way of receiving information energetically.

Course Title: Clinical Operations
Course Code: MT208
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 70, Lecture 5, Lab: 65, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description:
Sanitation 30 hours: In this class the students learn Department of Health regulations and their application, including preparing linens, sweeping around the school and the patio, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms and keeping our space clean and professional.
Record keeping 10 hours: In this class students learn how to keep clear client records on the client history form. They learn the importance of detailed record keeping and HEPA laws. After each massage, the client history form is completed and returned to the filing cabinet.
Office Procedures 30: In this class students learn how to operate the front office: answering the phone, making appointments, calling clients to remind them of their appointments, calling clients to find out how they feel after an appointment, dealing with difficult clients and keeping order in the filing cabinet.

Course Title: Pathology
Course Code: Path203
Instructor: Dr. Lori Kimata, Dr. Ye Nyugen
Total Clock Hours: 15, Lecture 15, Lab: Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: A study of the pathology of the human body from a holistic view as it relates to the effects on the total health of the individual. Detoxification, auto-immune dis-ease, pH balance, and a variety of women’s issues will be discussed.

Course Title: Polarity Therapy II
Course Code: MT209
Instructor: Jeffrei Willson
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 3, Lab: 7, Externship
Prerequisites: Polarity Therapy 1
Course Description: Students will continue into the depths of their practice using energetic touch and assessment through the Polarity Therapy model. They will explore more concepts of energy movement in the body as well as practice and experience the Structural-Osteopathic influences. Students will develop a better understanding of this work and how to integrate it into their massage practice. Polarity Therapy 2 is the second level of Polarity Therapy education. Polarity Therapy 2 develops the Polarity Energetic Touch. This class includes energetic nutrition, stretching postures for self-care, and energetic anatomy.

Course Title: Radical Self-Care II
Course Code: MT210
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 5, Lab: 5, Externship
Prerequisites: Radical Self-Care 1
Course Description: Radical Self Care 2 teaches the student to develop and maintain a personal self-care program while he is in massage school. With some trail and error, each student learns what he needs to be healthy, happy and to create a lifestyle that supports him. Each student discovers what it takes to be consistently able to be on time and prepared for clinic and classes.

Course Title: Self Directed Study
Course Code: MT301
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 70, Lecture Lab: Externship
Prerequisites: Advanced Clinical Swedish Massage
Course Description: Self Directed Study offers the student the opportunity to focus one’s education in a career path of choice, including further clinical massage, further classes in an area of interest, or apprenticeship with a licensed professional. Self directed study always includes 3 private tutorials to assess student progress.

Course Title: Sportsmassage II
Course Code: MT211
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley, Dr. Michael McCarthy
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 3, Lab: 7, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage 1, Sportsmassage 1
Course Description: Students will continue to develop their knowledge of the goals, benefits, principles and contraindications to sports massage. Students learn soft tissue injury protocol, cramp-relief techniques, hydrotherapy, selected stretches and various sports massage techniques.

Course Title: Traditional Lomilomi
Course Code: MT212
Instructor: Elizabeth Reveley
Total Clock Hours: 10, Lecture 2, Lab: 8, Externship
Prerequisites: Swedish Massage
Course Description: Traditional Lomilomi teaches the hands-on soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques that stem from the powerful healing tradition of Huna: the knowledge of the ancient healers and the secrets of the universe. Students will learn how to tap into and apply the unseen connection with Nature for themselves and their clients.

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