Diploma in Advanced Therapeutic Massage

Programme Aims
The Diploma in Advanced Therapeutic Massage (Level 6) aims to provide students with the skills and understandings needed to operate as healthcare professionals specialising in the management and manual treatment of soft-tissue conditions. Students will develop skills and knowledge in advanced anatomy and physiology, pathology, assessment techniques, advanced soft-tissue methods, business skills and professional practice. In addition to formal classes, students will spend a significant amount in supervised clinical practice where the skills that they are studying will be integrated into real-world practical experiences. Graduates of the Diploma in Advanced Therapeutic Massage (Level 6) will be eligible to gain registration with Massage New Zealand as Remedial Massage Therapists (RMT).

Programme Outcomes
By the end of this programme students will: Be able to:
 * demonstrate advanced interpersonal skills
 * apply and interpret clinical assessment techniques within a comprehensive clinical reasoning process
 * select and apply a range of advanced soft-tissue techniques according to the needs of the client
 * modify massage methods to ensure safe and effective practice for clients within a range of different contexts and with a variety of medical conditions
 * apply advanced sports massage skills and understanding within a sporting context
 * design a healthcare programme incorporating exercises, massage and life-style modification according to the needs of the client
 * demonstrate knowledge of ethics, legalities, sustainability, and other concepts relevant to professional practice as a healthcare professional
 * evaluate and present research evidence relevant to massage therapy
 * understand and apply business practices relevant to self-employment as a massage therapist
 * demonstrate advanced knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology and apply this knowledge in understanding situations relevant to massage therapy practice

Be prepared for:
 * registration with Massage New Zealand as a Remedial Massage Therapist (RMT)
 * self-employment as a healthcare professional specialising in the manual treatment and management of soft-tissue conditions
 * degree-level study in massage therapy
 * work in multi-disciplinary settings

Information
Further Information from the Otago Polytechnic site.

Courses

 * OPTM1 Study Skills
 * OPTM2 Basic Massage
 * OPTM3 Fundamentals of Massage
 * OPTM4 Anatomy 1
 * OPTM5 Bioscience 1
 * OPTM6 Communication 1
 * OPTM7 Stress Management
 * OPTM8 Spa Therapies
 * OPTM9 Intermediate Massage
 * OPTM10 Aromatherapy
 * OPTM11 Communication 2
 * OPTM12 Anatomy 2
 * OPTM13 Bioscience 2
 * OPTM14 Research Methods
 * OPTM15 Professional Practice within Aoteoroa
 * OPTM16 Practice Management 1
 * OPTM17 Practice Management 2
 * OPTM18 Sports Massage
 * OPTM19 Clinical Massage
 * OPTM20 Assessment Techniques
 * OPTM21 Anatomy 3
 * OPTM22 Pathology
 * OPTM23 Bioscience 3
 * OPTM24 Advanced Soft-tissue Techniques
 * OPTM25 Healthcare Programming