Course Descriptions

The continuing education workshops offered by Southwest Wellness Educators are designed for the experienced massage and bodywork practitioner. They are typically conducted in a weekend format. The intent of the Western/Contemporary massage workshops is to build skills to access specific and deep structural tissues in a thoughtful non-invasive manner. The Thai Basics workshop can be applicable to the bodyworker of Asian or Western modalities. A certification program in Thai Medical Massage is also available.

OPENING THE CORE
Examines the relationship the chest and abdomen have to various physical dysfunctions. Specific deep tissue massage techniques designed to release constrictions and holding patterns in the anterior trunk will be integrated with a sensitivity toward the potential emotional charge and mind-body overtones associated with this area. This treatment is beneficial in the presence of many lumbar, thoracic and cervical problems. (12 CEUs)

Learning Outcomes:

1. Given handouts, lecture and discussion, students will be able to verbally identify at least five mind-body components relating to holding or postural constrictions in the torso.
2. Given lecture, discussion and demonstration, students will be able to discuss personal ethics relating to boundaries and at least three aspects of sensitivity to the client¹s vulnerability of having the anterior torso treated and demonstrate this ability through supervised classroom practice.
3. Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and viewing overhead transparencies, students will be able to describe the function and attachments of the primary muscles to be treated, with at least 75% accuracy.
4. Given demonstration of techniques for deep abdominal and chest massage and supervised practice with students working in diads, students will be able to palpate the entire length of the medial, middle & lateral psoas, portions of the iliacus, diaphragm and length of the pectoralis minor.
5. Given discussion and demonstration, students will be able to assess the need for detailed anterior torso treatment through visual examination of posture and cues from the client interview.
6. Given discussion, demonstration and return demonstration, students will be able to devise a sensitive, fluid, thorough and therapeutically effective treatment for the deep anterior tissues of the trunk.

MANAGING THE MANDIBLE
Examines jaw movement and the related soft tissues which may destabilize the temporomandibular joint or restrict jaw opening. Specific intraoral and extra oral soft tissue techniques will be taught. Besides learning an effective treatment protocol, workshop participants will accurately assess dysfunctional jaw movement, locate probable muscles contributing to dysfunction, identify aggravating factors and describe corrective actions to ameliorate TMD. (8 CEUs)

Learning Outcomes:

Given lecture, discussion, handouts, demonstration and supervised practice,
students will be able to:

1. Identify attachments and function and be able to palpate the cranial fascia, temporalis, masseter (superficial and deep), medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid,zygomaticus, digastric, longus capitis, longus coli, q scaleneus medius/anterior, SCM, suboccipital muscles and attachments to the hyoid bone.
2. Accurately assess dysfunctional jaw movement and identify the probable muscle(s) which may be contributing to the dysfunction.
3. Identify likely aggravating factors which may exacerbate the TMD and describe corrective actions.
4. Demonstrate proper glove use.
5. Describe personal and ethical boundary concerns of treatment of the jaw and demonstrate a sensitive treatment approach to the intraoral and extra oral tissues.
6. Learn an effective treatment protocol which includes intraoral and extra oral treatment of the jaw and facial muscles and also includes associated soft tissues of the head and neck.

BALANCING THE PELVIS
Examines the relationship the pelvis plays in leg, hip and trunk dysfunction. The pelvis as "conduit" translates movement through the kinetic chain from the legs to the trunk and head. The pelvis as "foundation" is responsible for equal leg length and a symmetrically erect trunk. A balanced pelvis allows for pain free fluid movement within the coronal and mid-sagittal planes. Specific deep tissue massage and movement techniques will be taught to help correct leg length discrepancies, exaggerated pelvic torques and excessive anterior or posterior rotations of the pelvis.

This treatment is useful for numerous types of hip, leg, lumbar and thoracic dysfunctions. Participants will learn how to assess various postural distortions. They will also be able to apply appropriate treatment choices and the rationale for each. Principles and techniques presented in this workshop may be easily integrated into most massage practice settings. (14 CEUs)

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this 14 hour workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Assess for postural distortions in the mid-sagittal and coronal planes. 
2. Differentiate between bone length and leg length discrepancies.
3. Determine relative pelvic torques and anterior/posterior rotations.
4. Choose appropriate treatment modalities to minimize irritable neurological foci.
5. Identify hypertonic soft tissues related to the pelvis and select appropriate massage techniques to reduce the hypertonicity.
6. Instruct the client how to perform muscle reeducation exercises.
7. Develop a treatment plan to aid in the correction of pelvic distortions.

THAI MASSAGE BASICS
Thai Medical Massage (Nuad Bo-Rarn) effectively blends Asian energy principles with Western mechanical techniques. With the client fully clothed, the treatment is done on the floor. In this way, the treatment may look like Shiatsu, however the method and intent are different from Shiatsu. Thai Massage is slow, meditative and utilizes subtle and deep
stretching. It is commonly referred to as "paired yoga" and tends to assist healing from the inside out. 

This 17 hour course will introduce the participant to the style, rhythm and basic method of Thai Medical Massage. Numerous techniques can be readily adapted to a Shiatsu session or table massage. A basic routine will be taught. This should provide the participant with enough information to make an informed decision of whether or not to pursue further study of Thai Massage. (17 CEUs)

Learning Outcomes:

1. Given lecture, discussion and handouts, students will be able to describe the basic tenets and intent of Thai Medical Massage.
2. Given lecture, discussion and demonstration, students will use proper body mechanics for performing a treatment on the floor.
3. Given lecture, discussion and demonstration, students will demonstrate the use of safe and sensitive touch and movement on their practice clients.
4. Given lecture, discussion and demonstration, students will demonstrate appropriate application of new techniques under instructor supervision.

THAI MASSAGE CERTIFICATION (100 hours)
Thai Massage (Nuad Bo-Rarn) is an ancient healing art from Thailand. It is based upon an integration of traditional medical practices from India and China. Thai Massage is sometimes referred to as "paired yoga" or "yoga that works as massage" because it utilizes stretches similar to yoga postures. It is a unique and comprehensive manipulative therapy that uses passive stretches to open energy pathways to release chronic tension and improve flexibility. Thai Massage follows energy channels known as Sen lines. These are similar to meridians found in Shiatsu.

Thai Massage students will learn a Kata, a sequential pattern of movements, throughout the certification program. With each new level, more advanced methods will be incorporated to create a fluid routine suited to the needs of the individual. Thai Massage is done on the floor, on a futon, and traditionally it takes about two hours to do a complete treatment. Students will develop skills to create longer and shorter treatments suitable for various work environments.

The certification course is taught in four sequential weekend workshops which typically begin on Friday evening and continue all day Saturday and Sunday. The Thai Basics weekend (description above) is designed for those students who are interested in incorporating Thai techniques in their regular bodywork treatments. This weekend will give a clear understanding of the Thai method in order to make an informed decision about pursuing certification. The advanced levels (II, III, and IV) take students through the use of the energy channels and advanced stretches and routines. Students are required to complete 38 hours of logged practice sessions and projects. Successful completion of all four workshops and a final practical exam are also necessary to receive the 100 hour certificate.