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Course Calendar

Manual Empowerment Therapy (M.E.T.):

Courses Offered

Continuing Education for Massage Therapists

Massage Therapists are required to continue their education upon graduation in order to enhance their knowledge-base and to help them become more effective therapists when treating clientele.

Some of the most important skills to learn prior to implementing an effective treatment plan are how to most accurately identify the cause of a client’s condition.

Although a massage therapist is not allowed to diagnose a client, they are allowed to perform a thorough assessment which will help target the root of the problem. This will enable a therapist to move out of the realm of vague non-directed treatment to focused, outcome-based results that will encourage and reinforce the client’s healing process.

Active Therapy Clinic offers students of massage therapy and registered therapists the opportunity to learn these important skills by offering three introductory levels of orthopedic assessment. Whether these are taken for the first time or are used as a review tool, they are a cornerstone to therapeutic treatment.

Course Descriptions

Manual Empowerment Therapy (M.E.T):

Manual Empowerment Therapy (M.E.T.) is a two-pronged process which includes a thorough physical therapeutic component and a spiritual component which focuses on the enhancement of self-awareness and the obtainment of set personal goals.

Primarily, M.E.T. directs itself towards the rehabilitation of dysfunction within the body's structures. M.E.T. uses a combination of manual techniques:

-Stretch and glide techniques

-Passive motional release

-Directional movement patterns

-Therapeutic swedish massage techniques

-Connective tissue reorganization

-Disengagement of contractures

-Passive stretching

Secondarily, each treatment sets the stage for personal empowerment with the intent of encouraging and engaging the client to work towards the achievement of their chosen goals. A client can determine the depth of their chosen plan. This portion of the therapy will outline a plan of action which will enable the client to realize their goals.

-Goal setting

-Identification of stumbling blocks

-Empowerment techniques

-Referencing external resources

Orthopedic Assessment - Upper Extremity (Level One)

In today’s world, a large percentage of the population suffers from the effects of repetitive overuse syndromes in the upper limbs due to the demands of work environments or extracurricular activities. Understanding the structures and functions of the upper limb is essential in providing adequate and effective massage therapy treatments.

This course combines elements of theory and practice that will provide practical application of assessment skills in the clinical setting. Participants will benefit from the experience of seasoned registered massage therapists who have instructed in massage therapy schools for over five years and currently practice in private clinics. They offer a whole new concept of treating conditions such as thoracic outlet syndrome or nerve entrapments of the upper limb.

In order to achieve this goal, each therapist needs a carefully laid out plan of evaluation to accurately pinpoint the possible cause of the presenting condition. In the Upper Extremity Module, the therapist will be introduced to the basic concepts of assessment in a well thought out manner.

We will answer questions such as where to begin and how to organize a complete and thorough musculoskeletal examination. The course will begin by introducing the proper sequence of assessment and will include:

• How to perform a postural assessment for the upper limb. We will examine what to look for and how to record the information.
   
• The Scanning Exam (Upper Limb). This will help to rule out causes for the condition other than the upper limb.
   
• Range of Motion Testing of the Cervical Spine and the Upper Limb (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hand). We will examine Active, Passive, Overpressure and Resisted ROM for the joints listed above.
   
• Myotome and Dermatome Testing will be included to rule out any potential neurological causes for the condition. These tests are directly related to nerve roots of groups of muscles or areas of skin.
   
• Special Tests (Orthopedic Tests). These tests are performed using specific client positions, accurate palpation and execution, in order to identify the structures involved with the condition. We will teach over thirty tests that all relate to the peripheral joints of the upper limb. Positive and negative signs will be identified.
   
• Through assessment, we will identify potential conditions such as:

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Frozen Shoulder

  • Rotator cuff injuries/ tendinitis

  • Wrist sprain

  • DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

  • Dupuytren’s Contracture

  • Shoulder pain

  • Biceps Tendinitis

  • Muscle trains

  • Trigger Points

  • Lateral or Medial Epicondylitis

  • Radial, Ulnar, Median or Axillary Nerve Entrapments

  • Ruptures to the Biceps Brachii
     

   

Orthopedic Assessment - Lower Extremity (Level One):

This course follows the same format as the Upper Extremity; however the content will be focused on pathologies of the lower extremity. A thorough review of the evaluation plan is performed. We will also cover the following:

• How to perform a postural assessment for the lower limb. We will examine what to look for and how to record the information.
   

• The Scanning Exam (Lower Limb). This will help to rule out causes for the condition other than the lower limb.
   

• Range of Motion Testing of the Lumbar Spine and the Lower Limb (Hip, Knee, Ankle). We will examine Active, Passive, Overpressure and Resisted ROM for the joints listed above.
   

• Myotome and Dermatome Testing for the lower extremities will be included to rule out any potential neurological causes for the condition. These tests are directly related to nerve roots of groups of muscles, or areas of skin.
   

• Special Tests (Orthopedic Tests). These tests are performed using specific client positions, accurate palpation and execution, in order to identify the structures involved with the condition. We will teach over thirty tests that all relate to the peripheral joints of the lower limb. Positive and negative signs will be identified.
   

• Through assessment, we will identify potential conditions such as:

  • Iliotibial Band Contracture or Syndrome (ITB Syndrome)

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Hamstring strains

  • Tendinitis of the quadriceps tendon

  • Trochanteric Burisitis

  • Prepatellar bursitis

  • Chondromalacia

  • Patello-femoral Syndrome

  • Meniscal and Cruciate injuries

  • Knee sprains

  • Ankle sprains

  • Achilles Tendinitis

  • Shin splints

  • Compartment syndromes

  • Pes Planus and Pes Cavus

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • Morton’s Neroma

Orthopedic Assessment – Vertebral Column (Level One):

The vertebral column section focuses upon the skull, jaw, spine, ribcage and pelvis. Although the vertebral column incorporates ranges of motion previously seen in the upper and lower extremity, there is an emphasis placed upon the ribcage, pelvis and jaw. This course will guide participants through the complexities of the spine and its relationship with adjacent structures. The following information will be covered:

• How to perform a postural assessment for the vertebral column. We will examine what to look for and how to record the information.
   

• Range of Motion Testing of the Ribcage, Pelvis and Jaw. When applicable, we will examine Active, Passive, Overpressure and Resisted ROM for the joints listed above.
   

• Special Tests (Orthopedic Tests). These tests are performed using specific client positions, accurate palpation and execution, in order to identify the structures involved with the condition. We will teach over thirty tests that all relate to the peripheral joints of the lower limb. Positive and negative signs will be identified.
   

• Through assessment, we will identify potential conditions such as:

  • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions

  • Migraines, sinus headaches, tension headaches

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Facet joint irritations

  • Nerve entrapments

  • Whiplash

  • Torticollis

  • Herniated disc

  • Degenerative Disc Disease

  • Scoliosis

  • Hyperkyphosis

  • Hyperlordosis

  • Lumbar strains and sprains

  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunctions

  • Sacroiliac ligamentous sprains