Become a Sports Massage Practitioner!

This is an all-encompassing course - Massage and Anatomy and Physiology is included, so you do not need any previous qualification. If you have a previous qualification, please contact Jackie@jackiehamilton.co.uk for further information.

Our School offers training if you are seeking a professional career in sports and corrective massage (known professionally as remedial massage). Lorraine Kirk, your tutor, is a successful working therapist who is knows what it really takes to succeed in clinical practice.

Most sports therapists will spend the majority of their time treating members of the public, some of whom may be recreational or competitive athletes, who suffer with a wide variety of acute and chronic aches and pains.

• Training includes corrective (known professionally as remedial) massage techniques and assessment skills, which enables you to work safely and effectively with people from all walks of life, in a wide range of situations.

• Guidance in corrective exercise in relation to training, injury and posture is also a key feature.

• You will be taught to treat your client for a specific need with the aim to prepare for an event – there is no such thing as a full body sports massage routine – as every person you treat will have an individual prescriptive (and effective) treatment.

As well as the general therapeutic value of massage, you can also safely and effectively deal with many strains and sprains (known professionally as soft tissue inflammation) which are by far the most common and often cause considerable pain in the short term, sometimes leading to serious long-term problems.

Most injuries in sport are through overuse and the cause needs to be identified and remedied, otherwise the injury is likely to recur – non-sports people often have the same problems!

You will study the theory of treatments as well as additional anatomy, in particular focusing on the muscles and their actions.

• Most of the class time is practical – and although there are some formal theory sessions, many of the subjects and techniques are taught in combination during the practical sessions

• To have an experienced therapist and tutor to give you professional tuition and advice from real life experience means that your time in class is valuable and you will therefore have the opportunity to leave feeling confident and competent.
  

• Two tutors are on hand to help guide you when there are more than 8 students in the class.

The full course content includes:

• ITEC Anatomy & Physiology – please click here for our course syllabus information which is included in this course
• Massage theory and practical

The Sports syllabus includes:

• Methods of consultation and professionalism – Assessment of injury for referral or treatment, postural analysis, check range of movements, signs and symptoms of injury, contra indications
• Pressures and depth and speed of massage for pre and post event treatment.
• Corrective (known as remedial) techniques – MET, STR, NMT, Deep Friction, and Lymphatic drainage, Connective Tissue Massage.
• Specific homecare advice
• Understand the changes that exercise has on the muscular and cellular system
• Deeper understanding of the muscular system along with origins and insertions
• Understand and explain the effects of stress on muscles during sport – physical and psychological
• Joints and their supporting network (which is where most of the problems occur for lack of movement)
• Understand and explain the possible causes and effects of the common diseases and disorders that effect the general public as well as specific sports
• Principles of training and rehabilitation (giving clients exercises for stretches and to help strengthen their body)– how to get your clients back to fitness as well as prevention of injury
• The stages of injury and treatment required
• Application of cryo and thermotherapy (hot and cold techniques)

We also include (because we realise its importance):

• Basic diet and nutrition
• Introduction to Sports Psychology to enhance the athlete – pre and post event

For ITEC Sports Massage Diploma syllabus please click here

Small classes of up to 12 students

Lorraine Kirk a former international athlete is the tutor for this course - for details about Lorraine and her background please click here

Lorraine is happy for you to phone her for more information on the Sports Massage qualification, call 07747 771832 - or if indeed you would like a treatment!

Please click here for course dates, fees and application form

Further, more specific, information for you on this course:

Practical Examination: Sports massage consultation and treatment assessed by ITEC external examiner

Sports massage theory exam – 50 question multiple choice paper – 1 hour

Case Studies: 15 treatments (5 people treated 3 times and detailed notes made for assessment). Case study treatments are to be done on either sports people or on clients who need corrective remedial massage – we have connections with sports clubs to help you find them – the course is designed for you to practice on real life situations so you can leave competent in this field.

Massage and Anatomy and Physiology is included in this course, so you do not need any previous qualification. For information on the Massage course without Sports click here

• The course book: The Complete Guide to Sports Massage by Tim Paine which you will need to purchase beforehand

• You will be given a ring binder with your course work/handouts neatly arranged with dividers with contents page, homework schedule – everything!

• Videos access of the treatment are freely available to students to give complete reassurance in between classes

• Please bring 1 bath sheet, 2 bath towels, antiseptic hand wash gel with pump top action, and a fob watch (Argos sell them for about £5), micropore tape, dressing gown and slippers (or flip flops)

• To create a professional atmosphere students are required to wear black tops supplied by the school for £10, and wear with it black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers

• You will have access to the Forum on our website and when you start the course you will be given a password to get into the Students section where you can download loads of information to aid your studies – master documents, all ITEC documents, example case study etc , video links to see your tutor demonstrating the techniques– lots of help to support you

• A library of sports massage books (e.g. all the books on the ITEC recommended book list for sports) are available for the students to borrow for additional research and background reading

• We have a life sized skeleton as well as particular joint anatomical aids eg hip, knee, shoulder to aid your learning in the classroom

• We have a projector to enhance visual learning and photographic reminders of techniques in the course manual – pictures of students doing exactly what you will be learning.

• Qualified assistants for Lorraine in the Practical class when students number over 8 to ensure as much attention to you as possible.

Please click here for course dates, fees and application form

Please click here for the workshops page and details of latest advanced massage workshops etc

A first aid certificate must be obtained from a recognised body before the end of all the professional courses (costs about £30)

Student insurance is required for you to practice outside of the classroom and we provide the details of how to obtain this at the start of the course.

Lorraine Kirk , Your Sports Massage Tutor

Please click here for
course dates, fees and
application form

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“ I particularly like the practical aspect and relevance to industry” Carol Cawston

“I like the professional knowledge of the tutor – two tutors looking after us in the practical so they can correct and help you.” Szilvia Sikesdi

“Lorraine’s very funny and very professional as well. Good tutor.” John Burgess

“The sports massage is fantastic. I really enjoy it. Lorraine is a terrific teacher”

“The class has a relaxed feel about it, which instantly puts you at ease and makes it enjoyable to learn” Martel Crisp

“I particularly like the practical where we can practice what we have learned earlier in the day and have Lorraine’s input on our technique “ Stacey Oakes