MTS 101 Massage Therapy Theory and Practice I         3 Credits This course is an introduction to the field of massage therapy practice. Topics include the history, theory, physiology, and technical application of massage and manual techniques: chair massages, basic Eastern concepts/techniques, aromatherapy, equipment, and supplies, are presented. Medical terminology and health and hygiene concepts with online activities supplement this course. Students will learn the indications, precautions, and contraindications of therapeutic-Swedish massage and chair massage. Client confidentiality and effective communication skills will be discussed. Self-care techniques will also be instructed and discussed. Co-requisite: MTS103, MTS109 MTS 103 Massage Therapy Theory and Practice Lab I  3 Credits This laboratory course provides the student with instruction, demonstration, practice, and performance testing of theory from MTS101. Students will learn and practice techniques taught on fellow students in a systematic order of the body with a section at a time covered with the full body sequence as the final outcome in a supervised instructional lab. Performance competencies for each section are completed before moving to the next area. Students will become competent in chair massages. Students will practice communication skills needed in the practice of massage therapy. Body mechanics and self care stretching will be practiced in each class. Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS109 MTS 107 Myology for Massage Therapists                     4 credits This course is an in-depth discussion of muscle qualities, and the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system. This lecture/lab class covers the skeletal system and primary movers of the cranium, neck, torso, upper and lower extremities, hands and feet of the human body. The lecture covers the origin, insertion, action, and concerted movements of the muscles. Lab experiences include palpation skills for superficial and deep muscles, kinesthetic learning experiences as well as problem solving referred patterns of gait and movement deviations. Co-requisite: BIO213 MTS 109 Massage Therapy Practical I                               1 credit During this first practical experience, students will perform chair massages for the KVCC community. This is a supervised real life component of the application, communication, and business practice of massage therapy. The students will set up, organize, and facilitate a walk-in weekly clinic. Table and chair massages will also be offered to the KVCC population at various times throughout the semester. Students will develop the communication skills with clients needed in the practice of this intervention outside of the classroom. Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS103 MTS 110 Massage Therapy Theory and Practice II        3 credits This course is a continuation of MTS101 with a focus on medical massage problem solving techniques for specific musculoskeletal problems referred to massage therapy. Topics included are thorough postural assessments, stretching, myofascial release, cranial sacral work, neuromuscular and trigger point release techniques, muscle energy, and strain-counterstrain theory. Practical use of the skills, techniques, terminology and communication with other health care providers will be a focus as well as referring problems to appropriate practitioners that are beyond the scope of practice as massage therapists. Pre/Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS103, MTS107, MTS109/MTS112, MTS116 MTS 112 Massage Therapy Theory and Practice Lab II  3 credits This laboratory course provides the student with instruction, demonstration, practice, and performance testing of theory from MTS110. Students will learn and practice techniques taught on fellow students in a systematic order of the body with a section at a time covered with an introduction to common problems presented to massage therapists requiring specific manual techniques within the scope of practice of a massage therapist as the final outcome in a supervised instructional lab. A performance competency for each section is to be completed by each student. Students will become competent in problem solving, communicating in both verbal and written form, and performing techniques specific to the problems of the human musculoskeletal system. Pre/Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS103, MTS107, MTS109/MTS110, MTS116 MTS 114 Business/Ethics for Massage Therapists          3 credits This class focuses on the preparation for massage therapy practice. Topics included but not limited to business plans, billing procedures to first and third party payers, CMS forms, SOAP notes and documentation styles, liability, insurance, referrals, marketing and advertising, work habits, therapeutic rapport, and boundaries; ethical dilemmas; rules of massage therapy; networking the profession; memberships in various professional organizations. Students will participate in group discussions and communicate both verbally and in written form with various assignments augmenting the business and practice of massage therapy. Pre/Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS103, MTS107, MTS109/MTS 110, MTS112, MTS116 MTS 116 Massage Therapy Practical II                             1 credit During this second massage therapy practical, students will continue to provide chair massages to the KVCC community in the supervised walk-in clinic. Students will have additional knowledge and skills and will be able to modify the basic chair massage routine based on individual needs of the client and table massages will be to the KVCC population at various times throughout the semester. Students will refine their communication skills with clients outside of the classroom. Pre/Co-requisite: MTS101, MTS103, MTS107, MTS109/MTS110, MTS112, MTS114