Saturday, August 26

The Space In-Between: Exploring the Fascial Planes of the Body (Hands-on without table)

In this session, we will examine the importance of addressing the fascial planes of the body. We will explore the areas between: muscles and bones, tightness and slack, movement and stagnation, and inhale and exhale. Discover how to incorporate new techniques and methods in your practice, including: sustained engagement through proper body mechanics, palpation of specific muscular and bony landmarks, positions for sustained and supported compression, and reintroducing movement through stretches and rotations.

Randall A. Cummins, LMT, has been a massage therapist for 35 years. He has participated on the teaching faculty of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, The Lauterstein-Conway School, The New School for Massage, and Zen Shiatsu in Evanston, Illinois. Randy practices and teaches, deep tissue, shiatsu, and thai massage. He maintains private practices in Chicago, Illinois and Austin, Texas.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

Massage for Scapula and Shoulder Health (Hands-on with table)

The scapula is an important structure in the body that can often be the source of pain and discomfort in the shoulder and neck, and is critical for proper upper body movement. In this hands-on class, we will review the anatomy and function of the scapula, and explore various massage techniques for improving its mobility, and reducing pain and tension. Learn how to identify common issues and imbalances in the scapula, and how to use massage techniques including active resistance, deep tissue work, and trigger point therapy to address them. Participants will leave this class with the skills and knowledge to effectively improve scapula dysfunctions through massage therapy.

Dustin Donahue, LMT is the owner of Sandhills Orthopedic Massage where he performs clinical massage therapy in a medical setting. He has been a NCBTMB-approved provider since 2016 and has worked in spa, franchise and private practice settings. Dustin is also the founder of Get Deep Education, a continuing education company focused on deep tissue and longevity.

Materials Required: Please plan to bring or share a massage table if you select this class. Table storage will be provided.

Ethical Decision-Making

This session provides an opportunity for massage therapists to solve the kinds of ethical challenges that occur in day-to-day practice. It includes lecture, Q and A, games, small and large group discussions and role-play. The goal of this session is to ensure that participants learn how to employ a decision-making strategy that supports a professional massage therapy practice.

This course fulfills the ethics CE requirements for NCBTMB Board Certification and many states.

Pamela Fitch has been a massage therapy educator and practitioner for more than 30 years. She has explored professional, ethical and communicative challenges faced by massage therapists and remains focused on how massage affects clients who have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress and complex pain conditions.

Maximizing Massage Success with Kinesiology and Biomechanics

In this session, gain a deeper understanding of kinesiology and biomechanics to help design massage therapy sessions that effectively address the underlying causes of injury and dysfunction for your clients. Learn how to recognize the mechanical factors that are the root cause of physical issues. Plus, find out how to select the most appropriate massage techniques to maximize outcomes for your clients.

Whitney Lowe, LMT has been a massage professional for over 35 years, with a career marked by clinical work, research, publications, and teaching. He specializes in addressing pain and injuries and is one of the pioneers of the orthopedic massage approach. He is the founder of the Academy of Clinical Massage, which offers online and hands-on continuing education in advanced massage.

Soft Tissue Release for Pain Relief (Hands-on with table)

Soft Tissue Release can be an effective technique to help clients in pain. This method involves client movement and has many variations, including working with muscles while stretching or contracting them. In this session, we will explore the various approaches and rationale for how to apply them throughout the body. Plus, gain tips for body mechanics and positioning to make it easier for the massage therapist.

Dr. James Mally is a massage teacher, educational content producer, and creator of MassageLibrary.com. He has been practicing massage therapy and teaching courses for over forty years. In 1990, James founded the Healing Arts Institute, a California state-approved massage therapy school.

Materials Required: Please plan to bring or share a massage table if you select this class. Table storage will be provided.

Massage and the Ribcage (Hands-on without table)

The ribcage is a major weight segment of the body, important for protection, mobility, support and movement. We will review basic anatomy of the thorax and its major musculoskeletal structures. Close observation and analysis of the ribcage in breathing and other motion, will lead directly into the application of massage techniques.

George Russell, DC, focuses on anatomy, movement and spirituality. Dr. Russell has taught at the Swedish Institute, Kripalu, NYU, and Wesleyan University. His teaching is characterized by spontaneity, compassion, kinesthetic sensitivity, and clinical usefulness.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

Structural Release of the Lower Legs and Feet (Hands-on without table)

In this session on structural release, we will learn the theory and techniques for structural realignment of the body, with a focus on the lower legs and feet. The intent of this approach is to balance the body into alignment with its environment, enhancing the body's physiological and psychological functions. Learn techniques in this session that can be integrated immediately into your massage therapy practice.

Gary Schwander has been practicing massage therapy and teaching massage courses for over 30 years. He currently teaches at Therapeutic Connections School of Massage in Spokane, WA. Gary also worked as an Athletes' Medical Services Massage Therapist during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and as a member of the 2002 Olympic Sports Massage Team.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

Gentle Massage of the Muscles of Respiration (Hands-on without table)

This session focuses on the heart and lungs which can often be the source of pain. We will explore how to touch the abdominal muscles, the diaphragm, the thoracic spine, the rib cage, and the scalenes as a way to help clients with COPD, Asthma, Emphysema or other breathing disorders. This multi-disciplinary approach to chronic pain will help you progress as a therapist by working gently with the muscles of respiration and helping clients understand the physiology of focused and intentional breathing.

Pete Whitridge has been a licensed massage therapist since 1988. He teaches his Myofascial Components of Pain workshops, business building classes, and research literacy classes throughout the country. Pete has also been a faculty member at massage schools around the country.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

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