Natural Healing Institute

Education Program of Professional Massage and Bodywork Therapy

NHI’s curriculum consists of a 600-clock hour program of training.  A clock hour is defined as a minimum of 50 minutes of supervised or directed instruction.  Some classes have prerequisites, but it is not necessary to complete the required classes prior to taking electives.

 

Massage Theory and Practice (Required):

Fundamentals of Massage & Bodywork/Body Mechanics
MT 102           70 Hours                     $1,280
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB

While the classic soft tissue techniques of Swedish massage are the focus, contemporary and clinical applications are included as well.  The student will learn the more frequent types of injuries innate to the massage profession and how to prevent them.  Various types of joints and the process of strain and counter strain will be studied.  Diverse forms of exercise to strengthen and stretch will also be taught for injury prevention. 

Chair Massage
MT 205           9 Hours                       $200
Instructors:       Anke Horn, LMT

This class prepares students to do professional chair massages.  Topics include basic techniques, marketing, concepts, and legal issues.  Students will spend 6 hours doing clinical on-site chair massage in various settings to enhance the future graduate to be prepared to build his/her career.

Clinical Assessment
MT 207           14 Hours                     $260
Instructors:       Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB
Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

Students will be taught to perform an assessment to evaluate current function and then determine short and long term outcomes for the client’s goals.  Students will also be able to determine any contraindication for the massage session and will be prepared to perform a complete physical assessment.

Advanced Techniques
MT 211           28 Hours                     $490
Instructors:       Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT
Steve Sommers, LMT
Suzan Sommers, LMT

In this class, the student explores the basic principles of deep tissue sculpting, the benefits of which include release of muscle tension, improved body balance, and greater fluidity of motion.

Acupressure
MT 218           28 Hours                     $400
Instructors:       Steve Sommers, LMT
Suzan Sommers, LMT

A foundational course in Asian acupressure, this hands-on experience allows the student to identify and unblock energetic pathways and give a full body acupressure massage.

Connective Tissue Therapy
MT 229           28 Hours                     $490
Instructor:         Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

The student will explore advanced manual manipulation of the soft tissue to relieve specific complaints of pain and dysfunctions.  Connective Tissue work helps with chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, and improves body balance while increasing range of motion.  Students will gain knowledge of gait assessment, pain, and muscular re-education.

Clinical Internship
MT 301           100 Hours                   No Fee
Instructor:         Susan Lassiter, LMT, NCTM

The internship allows advanced students to develop and refine their clinical skills.  All students will provide massage/bodywork therapy for individual client sessions.

 

Sciences (Required):

Anatomy & Physiology Lecture
AP 102            80 Hours                     $1,280
Instructor:         Felix Akojie, PhD
Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB

This comprehensive class teaches future massage therapists and body workers what they need to know about the systems, functions, and common dysfunctions of the human body in order to practice knowledgeably and professionally.

Musculo-Skeletal Lab
AP 103            28 Hours                     $440
Instructors:       Kelly Wright, MS
Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

This class is an in depth study of the muscular-skeletal system including origins, insertions, connective tissue, joints, landmarks, fascia, and actions of muscles and muscle testing.  Using different modes of learning students develop an understanding of the muscles and bones and how they work together.

Eastern Perspectives of Anatomy & Physiology
MT 201           14 Hours                     $260
Instructors:       Heather Pollack, CYI
Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT
Steve Sommers, LMT
Suzan Sommers, LMT

This course is an in depth study of the twelve major meridians, acupressure points, and associated philosophies.  The chakras, nadis, and energy flows will also be covered.

Pathophysiology
AP 104            42 Hours                     $660
Instructors:       Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB
Tracy Jordan, MA, LMT

Students will learn the physiological response to diseases often presented in professional practice.  This includes methods of transmission and prevention.  Diseases of the musculo-skeletal system and their indications for massage are explored.  Medical terminology, SOAP note format of charting and assessment are learned.

Anatomy of Movement
AP 105            14 Hours                     $260
Instructors:       Suzi Renaud, AAAI-ISMA
Heather Pollack, CYI
Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

This class enables a student to understand the interplay of muscular/skeletal anatomy and movement, gait assessment, pain and structure, and muscular re-education.  Students will use guided movement to directly discover their own body’s functions and capabilities and integrate this new experiential knowledge with their intellectual understanding.

Kinesiology Lab
AP 202            42 Hours                     $660
Instructors:       Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT
Kelly Wright, MS

The student will explore the basic use of manual manipulation of the soft tissues to relieve specific complaints of pain and dysfunction. Deep Tissue work helps with chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, improves body balance and increases range of motion.

 

Related Subjects:

Ethics & Laws (Required)
MT 103           16 Hours                     $200
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB

This course material explains the legal and ethical issues of massage and bodywork.  Each student develops a standard of professionalism essential to a successful therapeutic massage practice.  Additionally, students will learn the laws and regulations that govern our scope of practices.

Business (Required)
MT 214           28 Hours                     $440
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB
Scottye Williams, LMT

This class is devoted to learning how to establish and market a professional massage and bodywork business.  Pertinent legal issues, practice development and an individualized business plan prepare the upcoming graduate.

Reflexology
MT 204           28 Hours                     $320
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, CMT, NCBTMB

This class covers the history, theory and hands-on application of reflexology, including location of reflex points and how they relate to the anatomy; variances of approach based on an individual’s condition; and the integration of reflexology with massage and other healing modalities.  Students will be able to perform complete reflexology sessions on the hands and feet.

Eastern Energy Work
MT 225           28 Hours                     $490
Instructor:         Gregory Goodson, LMT

Introduction to energy touch practices with theory of how the human energy field works.  Based on Eastern Perspectives, students will acquire an in-depth understanding with direct hands-on experience.  Students will also be able to do a complete bodywork session using energy application.

Aroma Therapy
HT 101            14 Hours                     $240
Instructor:         Judy Gray, LMT
Heather Pollack, CYI

Students will be able to make informed choices regarding the use of aromatic essential oils in massage.  Topics covered include principles of blending, methods of preparation, application techniques, and storage issues.

Neuromuscular Therapy
MT 303           28 Hours                     $400
Instructor:         Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

Neuromuscular therapy uses static pressure on specific points to interrupt the self-perpetuating pain cycle, allowing the body to heal itself.  The student learns normal function versus dysfunction, muscle cell anatomy and physiology, and the law of facilitation.  Students will also learn to identify trigger points and their referred pain sites.

Jin Shin Do
MT 214           14 Hours                     $300
Instructor:         Steve Sommers, LMT

In this class students combine gently yet deep finger pressure on acupoints with body focusing techniques to facilitate the release of physical and emotional tension and armoring.

Rain-Drop Techniques
HT 102                        7 Hours           $300
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB

 Rain-Drop technique is a powerful, noninvasive tool for assisting the body and correcting defects in the curvature of the spine. This class will prepare students to perform a complete a Rain-Drop Technique session. Students will receive a rain-drop kit in this class.

Therapeutic Applications (Hydrotherapy)
HT 103            14 Hours                     $280
Instructor:         Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

In this course, the student will learn the history of hydrotherapy and basic techniques, which can be put into practice by a massage therapist.  Therapeutic applications of essentials oils used in spa settings are also learned.

Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Bodywork
MT 305           14 Hours                     $320
Instructor:         Gregory Goodson, LMT

This class will "touch" on all basic components of the complex practice of Lomi Lomi and challenge participants to gain self - awareness on all levels of their being. 
Pre/Post-Natal Massage
MT 209           14 Hours                     $200
Instructor:         Lisa Bozarth, LMT-C, NCBTMB

This class is designed to teach students to adapt a basic Swedish massage to the specific needs of the pre and post natal woman.  Appropriate A&P, endangerment sites, contraindications, positioning, and specific techniques will be taught.

 Stone Massage
MT 108           14 Hours                     $180
Instructor:         Polly Lovell, LMT

Stone massage combines heat & massage to create a deep relaxation and gentle, yet effective thermal treatment.  This therapeutic application is one of the most popular services within the spa and private practice setting.

Shiatsu I
MT 216           14 Hours                     $280
Instructor:         Gerald Pollack, LMT-C, NMT

Developed in Japan, Shiatsu is a finger-pressure technique utilizing the traditional acupuncture points of oriental healing.  Shiatsu concentrates on unblocking the flow of life energy and restoring balance in the meridians and organs in order to promote self-healing.