Massage Therapy Diploma Program Winnipeg

Massage Therapy requires a deep understanding of the body’s anatomy and physiology.  In this course, students will be introduced to the anatomy of organization of the body, including the 12 major organ systems and be able to define the principal directional terms and sections used in describing the body and the relationship of body parts to one another. 

This understanding provides the foundation of the knowledge that students will rely on throughout the program.  Students will examine the structure, physiology and function of the respiratory, skeletal and musculoskeletal systems and the basic medical terminology and common diseases and disorders of each.

An understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential to Massage Therapy practice. Building on the knowledge gained in Anatomy & Physiology 1, this course will continue to explore the remaining 7 major organ systems.  Students will be introduced to the nervous, digestive, integumentary, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and lymphatic systems.  

Students will have the opportunity to study each system in detail including the structure, physiology and functions, as well as the medical terminology and common diseases and disorders of each. Upon course completions, students will have strong knowledge of how each system functions, and impacts a client’s overall health and wellness.

Client assessment is a foundational skill in Massage Therapy practice and allows the Massage Therapist to determine a client’s needs before developing a treatment plan. In this course, students will be introduced to the purpose of an assessment and the different areas assessed by Massage Therapists.  

The course will cover the assessment process, assessment considerations, assessment methods and instruments as well as best practices in documenting work with clients.  A variety of assessment areas will be reviewed. 

Students will also develop insight on how to practice ethical, empathetic and professional assessment and documentation. Finally, students will examine how the outcomes of the assessment will be used to create individualized treatment plans for clients.

In this course, students will develop a basic and comprehensive understanding of cell structure and function with specific reference to the function, structure and character of human cells and human tissue.  This course will further introduce students to the organelles found in human cells, the processes by which materials are transported across cell membranes, as well as mitotic and meiotic cell division.

In addition, students will develop a fundamental understanding of basic chemistry within the human body. Students will learn about the basis of pH and its effects on cells, the mechanism of enzyme activity and the basics of protein synthesis.

Finally, students will gain an overview of the major categories of tissues in the human body. The topics covered in this course will provide the foundational knowledge needed when providing treatments.

Building on the contents covered in Massage Techniques I & II, this course will enable students to develop a deeper understanding of complex massage therapy treatments for a variety of client needs. 

Students will learn to recognize common clinical conditions such as stress, pain, mood, anxiety, sleep and cognition as well as conditions with multi-factorial considerations such as inflammation, infection, scarring, swelling, congestion, movement restrictions, malignancy, trauma and abuse. Other clinical conditions covered include neurological conditions, sports-related conditions, orthopedic conditions, post-surgical conditions and systemic conditions of the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune, integumentary, urinary, and lymphatic systems. Beyond recognizing and identifying clinical conditions, students are trained to develop appropriate treatment plans that incorporate relevant assessment data, research evidence and clinical experience.

In addition, students are prepared to recognize and treat clients across different stages of life including pregnancy, infancy and childhood, adolescence, senior years and end of life. 

This course focuses on communication and the role it plays in building trust and rapport with clients within a massage therapy setting. Students are introduced to the core concepts of communication as it relates to massage therapy practice and through comparing and contrasting different models of communication, students are encouraged to identify, develop and strengthen their communication style and abilities.

Topics include communicating professionally, conflict resolution, team communication, and inter-cultural communication using a variety of approaches.

This course prepares students for entry-to-practice Massage Therapy certification assessments to become Registered Massage Therapists (RMT).  Students will develop the skills to study for and successfully complete local certification exams.

This is the introductory course into the field of Massage Therapy. Students will develop a broad understanding of the massage therapy discipline and the roles and responsibilities of massage therapy professionals. Common ethical issues relating to massage therapy activities will be covered including conflict of interest, consent, professional boundaries and dual relationships.

Students will also be introduced to the regional, provincial, and federal professional associations as well as the relevant certification, accreditation and testing requirements to ensure a successful entry-to-practice.

Lastly, students will have the opportunity to identify emerging issues, trends and opportunities within the field to help them understand the evolving nature of massage therapy practice.

Effective massage technique forms the foundation for professional practice. In the first of 32 courses focused on massage techniques, students will be introduced to the practical and hands-on competence of the Massage Therapy discipline.

The course will focus on the palpation of the soft and bony structures. Students will be trained on the rules of soft palpation on bony structures including the correct client positions and the correct amount of pressure to apply.

Students will also be trained on the techniques for soft tissue palpation including the relevant anatomical structures it treats, the correct amount of pressure to apply and ensuring the correct client positioning.

This course is a continuation of the topics covered in Massage Techniques I. 

In this course, students will further explore a variety of advanced massage techniques including trigger point techniques, lymphatic drainage, effleurage, friction protocols, muscle stripping and more. Students will also learn to perform fascial/myofascial techniques, joint mobilization, joint mobilizations and stretching to achieve the treatment requirements of their clients.

A variety of massage therapy models will also be covered including Swedish massage and Shiatsu. Students will learn the concepts behind each model, related terminology, methods and applied progressions of each.  Students will also be encouraged to compare and contrast between the different massage therapy models to ensure they understand the strength and use cases of each.

Using the massage techniques and knowledge gained in Massage Techniques I & II, students will have the opportunity to expand their repertoire of massage therapy techniques and understand the adjunct therapies within the scope of a Massage Therapist in this hands-on course.  With their progressive knowledge of massage techniques, students will be challenged to demonstrate how and when to apply different manipulations, methods, progressions and therapies in a variety of situations using a case study approach.  Students will determine and provide treatment for sports-injury, special populations, post-surgical situations, ensuring they are prepared to treat a variety of clients upon graduation.

The case study approach allows students to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills at an advanced level and demonstrates the competencies required for entry-to-practice.

Practice management is a key skill for Massage Therapists who want to start their own business or support operations at an administrator level. In this course, students will be introduced to the steps involved in starting and running a successful Massage Therapy practice.

Topics include how to develop a successful business plan, the fundamentals of practice management, the fundamentals of accounting, how to set fees as well as useful marketing principles for promoting the practice.  These essential entrepreneurial business skills will provide students an advantage as well as flexibility should they choose to start and run their own practice.

In this course, students are introduced to the concept of professional practice and the importance of developing a professional identity. Students will be encouraged to adopt a professional mindset through leadership, critical thinking, effective communication and on-going professional growth.

Part of maintaining a professional practice is maintaining self care. Lifestyle and self-care strategies that support professional success will be covered.

Lastly, in preparation for graduation, students will learn effective job search strategies as well as ways to market and promote themselves for professional career opportunities. Topics covered will include creating customized application materials such as resumes and cover letters, phone etiquette, and preparing and participating in interviews.

Understanding research design and application is an essential skill for Massage Therapists to ensure they are continuously up-to-date in their knowledge and techniques.  In this course, students are introduced to the fundamentals of the research process as it applies to the Massage Therapy discipline.

Students will examine each step of the research process beginning with how to develop a problem statement and research plan through to choosing a research design and how to collect and analyze data. Students will gain a deep understanding of research design, data collection and the writing process through their own research project. This will provide students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and appraisal skills while strengthening their ability to engage in research practice within the field.

An understanding of therapeutic exercise is a key competency for Massage Therapy professionals. In this course, students will explore general principles of kinesiology including the panes and movement of the body, length tension, lever systems as they relate to massage therapy treatments.

The role of remedial exercises in massage treatment planning will be explored. Students will learn to perform and direct clients in stretching and range of motion exercises as well as strengthening, and cardiovascular exercises.

Upon course completion, students will be able to describe the proper application of therapeutic exercises to achieve functional goals for the treatment of specific conditions, as well as safety considerations, effects, outcomes and modifications of therapeutic exercise strategies.

This course introduces students to concepts and strategies which support client-centered care. Students will explore the importance of power, understand the ideas of transference and countertransference, and understand how to employ therapeutic touch. Students will develop the capacity to facilitate therapeutic relationships within the scope of Massage Therapy practice.  

Thermal and hydrotherapy are often used to stimulate blood flow to muscles to reduce joint pain and release muscle tension. Hydrotherapy involves the use of warm water immersion to treat a wide range of conditions.  In this course, learners will study a variety of massage therapy applications involving the use of heat, cold, contrast, hydrotherapy or aromatherapy.  Students will explore each application including the techniques involved, progressions, indications, modifications, effects/outcomes as well as any safety considerations.

Creating a safe practice environment is essential to the client’s experience. In this course, learners will be introduced to the massage therapy practice environment. From room preparation, maintaining standards of hygiene to setting professional boundaries, obtaining patient consent and conducting proper documentation, learners will explore the many components that are involved in creating a safe practice environment for themselves as therapists and for their clients.  Lastly, learners will explore the use of biomechanical and postural skills that will ensure a safe and effective work practice.

The practicum or clinical experience provides an opportunity for students to apply both practical and theoretical course learnings in a real-world setting. The Robertson Massage Therapy diploma program includes a minimum of 400 hours of hands-on practical experience in a professional clinic within the public, not-for-profit and private business settings. 

Starting in term 2, students begin their hands-on training in the student massage therapy clinic on campus. Outreach opportunities are also available once the student reaches term 2 of their 3 term program.